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MY WEEKLY UPDATE
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John, last week was Armed Forces Week where we paid
tribute and thanks to our serving forces and veterans who have sacrificed
so much for our country.
I was shocked to learn that there are around 6,200 people living in
absolute poverty from Commonwealth or former Commonwealth countries who
served in the British Armed Forces prior to their countries gaining
independence.
In 2018, the government committed to providing veterans of the Commonwealth
who served in the British Armed Forces living in poverty with two meals a
day through UK aid.
This programme would not have been possible if it were not for UK aid,
which is a vital tool in protecting some of the world’s poorest and most
vulnerable people when they need our support most.
Despite this commitment, this week I uncovered that in the last year,
around 500 veterans living in extreme poverty have not been given this
support from the government.
It’s a scandal and a stain on our nation that members of our armed forces
are living in extreme poverty and without support from the UK government.
We owe so much to those who have risked their lives for our country, and
it’s heart-breaking that the government has failed hundreds of British
Army veterans by not providing them with such basic support.
Two meals a day is the very least our veterans deserve from this
government. This government must step up now to protect our veterans and
their families and provide them with the support they so desperately need.
This abandonment of hundreds of those who have fought for our country is
sad reminder that this government has failed to respect the incredible
service of our armed forces and has failed to provide veterans the proper
standard of civilian life they have earned.
BIRMINGHAM LIVE ARTICLE [4]
GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO DO MORE TO TACKLE FUEL POVERTY
This week, the government's regulator for gas and electricity markets,
Ofgem, announced proposals to strengthen support for energy prepayment
customers and those struggling to pay their energy bills.
At the beginning of this year, I launched a campaign calling on British Gas
to reverse their decision to increase the minimum top-up amount for
customers on pay-as-you-go tariffs. With the help of over 90,000 people, we
were SUCCESSFUL [5]in getting British Gas to reverse their decision which
would have hit their most vulnerable customers hardest.
As I told the i paper this week, that's why I welcome Ofgem's proposals,
because for too long we have relied on the goodwill of energy companies to
do the right thing for vulnerable people who are forced to make the
impossible choice between spending their last £5 before payday on heating
their home, or putting food on the table.
But much more needs to be done by this government to tackle the fuel
poverty crisis and ensure that no one has to choose between heating their
home and eating.
THE I PAPER
SHARE YOUR LOCKDOWN STORY
Birmingham City Council has set up a digital platform to capture the
thoughts and experiences of our city's citizens and communities during
lockdown.
You're invited to share stories, tributes and memories which will
eventually be turned into a hard copy for the council's archive.
You can submit your story by clicking the button below.
BIRMINGHAM'S BOOK OF MEMORIES [6]
MY SIKH REFLECTION
I have always been a firm believer in the role that faith can play in
giving strength at times of weakness, hope in times of despair, and a clear
path when we feel lost. We can draw inspiration from faith in a time of
crisis, like the global coronavirus pandemic we are currently faced with.
I reflected on the role faith has played in my life and during lockdown for
BBC Sounds. You can listen to my recording below.
MY SIKH REFLECTION [7]
CO-OP NEWS
KITKAT CAMPAIGN
This week, I joined Co-op Party colleagues in WRITING [8] to Nestle to ask
them to reconsider their decision to drop Fairtrade produce from KitKat
products. Join me and over 20,000 others in asking Nestle not to 'take a
break' from Fairtrade.
KITKAT CAMPAIGN [9]
CO-OP TASKFORCE
This pandemic presents many challenges, but it also presents opportunities
as we Build Back Better to shape a radical new future with co-operative
values at the heart.
As co-chair of the Co-operative Party Taskforce, I want to hear your ideas
for the future of our region.
CO-OP TASKFORCE [10]
SAVE DFID CAMPAIGN
DfID is a world leader in providing life-changing and life-saving support
to millions of people around the world.
But the government wants to abolish it - write to your MP, or the
government if I am your MP, and ask them to save DfID.
SAVE DFID CAMPAIGN [11]
© 2020 Printed from an email sent by Preet Kaur Gill. Promoted by A.J Webb
on behalf of Preet Kaur Gill, both at 56 Wentworth Road, B17 9TA.
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