Weekly Update - 19 December 2025 |
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Dear John I hope you've had a good week. Here's what I've been up to over this past week. |
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This Week the Government Announced... |
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£651 Million Boost for Birmingham Services |
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This week the government announced it would be spending £78 Billion on areas across England including £651 Million for Birmingham. The funding will to help restore libraries, youth services, clean streets, community hubs and support essential services including bin collections, housing and children’s services. The council will benefit from the first multi-year funding settlement in over a decade, giving financial certainty and ending the cycle of crisis management. The broken funding model that allowed some councils to hoard reserves while others faced collapse has been scrapped and replaced with an evidence based system that recognises deprivation and real service costs. This new funding will transform our services and provide a better deal for Birmingham.
I spoke in Parliament about how much needed the funding is for Birmingham after over a decade of cuts. I know first hand how badly communities have been hit, which is why I welcome this funding and the £20 million allocated for Pride in Place in Bartley Green. I asked why its clear that Labour is the only party that can be trusted to invest in our city.
Watch my question in Parliament above. Read more here: Preet Kaur Gill MP welcomes £651 Million Boost for Birmingham Services |
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Urging Government to review puberty blockers for children |
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This week I raised the issue that credible safeguarding concerns from Clinicians and academics about using puberty blockers trials on children as young as 10 were not being considered. As a former Children's Manager, I urged the Health Secretary to continue to evaluate the approach by listening to experts in the field to ensure our children have the best safeguarding protections in place.
Watch my question above. |
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As Co-operative party chair, community involvement is a vital, as Cricket becomes a community sport we need to ensure there are strong protections and greater safeguarding regulations in place to help cricket clubs, such as Harborne Cricket Club, to run their clubs with the community at its heart. That's why I raised the question this week in Westminster hall during a debate about support for Grassroots cricket clubs. Watch my question above. |
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Moment to reflect this Chanukah |
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Chanukah should be a time of light, joy and celebration. The news last Sunday from Australia of an antisemitic terrorist attack targeting Jewish families at a Chanukah event is deeply distressing and sickening.
This week I attended a Chanukah event organised by the All party parliamentary group on antisemitism. the event we also took a moment to reflect and remember those who tragically lost their lives in the recent attack in Sydney. At a time when antisemitism remains a real concern, it is more important than ever to stand together and celebrate the values of faith and freedom that Chanukah represents.
Wishing a Happy Chanukah to all who celebrate. |
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Employment Rights Bill passed |
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It was an honour to be on the bill committee for the new Employment Rights Bill. This new legislation will deliver a fairer, more secure labour, providing much needed reassurance to workers and employers. The bill will benefit over 15 million people across the UK with new worker protections, including those on the lowest pay and in the most insecure jobs. Some of the extended rights including day one, paternity leave and parental leave, statutory sick pay , protections for pregnant workers, increased protection from unfair dismissal, an end to exploitative zero hours contracts, and a new right to bereavement leave.
Read more here: New laws bring the world of work into the 21st century - GOV.UK |
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Tackling violence against women and girls |
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This week the Government announced it was treating the violence against women and girls as a national emergency with the Violence against Women and Girls Strategy. Ministers have announced that all police forces will have dedicated rape and sexual offence investigation teams. They will also roll out new Domestic abuse protection orders and new police squads targeting online abusers across police forces. Every student in England will be offered education on healthy relationships and concerns, with early invention to clamp down on worrying and harmful behaviour from young people. A new helpline will also be set up to tackle relationship abuse between teenagers. Watch Jess Phillips MP, Secretary of State for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls speaking about the new policies above.
Read more about the strategy here: VAWG strategy to better protect children from misogyny and abuse - GOV.UK |
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More victims of domestic abuse will receive better protection as local authorities receive nearly £500 million to provide support in safe accommodation to victims of domestic abuse, part of the Violence Against Women and Girls strategy.
A £19 million uplift is expected to support an extra 4,900 households needing safety, meaning the total funding is expected to help nearly 140,000 people, including women and their children, over the next three years. This support fund has proven to be effective, with figures showing funding helped almost 77,000 survivors and children access safe accommodation and support in 2024-25. The Government's dedication to this issue will see the full power of the state will be deployed in the largest crackdown on violence perpetrated against women and girls in British history. |
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Erasmus programme to reopen for British students |
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New Women in tech taskforce |
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Technology secretary Liz Kendall this week launched a new Women in Tech Taskforce to unlock the UK’s full tech potential and drive stronger economic growth. The Taskforce will break down barriers that hold women back from entering, staying, and leading in tech sector. Women should have just as many opportunities as men. We know that giving women these opportunities will grow our economy. And it’s in businesses’ interest to have technology that’s designed by women and works for women as much as men, as women make up at least 50% of consumers. Unlocking the full talent pool will drive inclusive growth, greater innovation and help the sector realise its full market potential. Read more here: UK Government launches Women in Tech Taskforce - WeAreTechWomen - Supporting Women in Technology |
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Interest rates cut for 6th time since last election |
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The interest rate has had the fastest fall in 17 years. Since Labour came into power last year, interest rates have been cut 6 times. This is great news for families with mortgages and businesses with loans. With an estimated £100 in mortgage savings this help support people with the cost of living, putting more money in your pocket. Watch Chancellor Rachel Reeves talking about the interest rates cuts above. |
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Independence Farming Profitability Review |
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The Government has published the Independent Farming Profitability Review, which makes 57 recommendations to boost farm profitability, productivity, and resilience.
Farming is central to Britain’s economic renewal and food security. The Review calls for stronger government-industry partnership, better data, smarter regulation, and targeted innovation. Given the recommendations, the Government is establishing a Farming and Food Partnership Board, chaired by Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds, giving farmers and food businesses a permanent voice at the heart of decision-making. Read more here: Reynolds: Farmers central to Britain’s food security, rural economy and countryside - GOV.UK |
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Celebrating Women MPs - the Royal Photographic Society |
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I had the pleasure of being photographed earlier by Stefania Distante for the Royal Photographic Society. It was a lovely opportunity to share my community and show what makes the place I call home so special. It was important to highlight the things that make us proud of our area and also the challenges residents may face.
The Royal Photographic Society have photographed Female MPs across the country, to celebrate the 40% representation in the House of Commons. You can read more about my interview and other MPs here: The 40% Gallery |
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Big win: Two dedicated neighbourhood officers for every ward in Birmingham |
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After successfully campaigning with Al Carns MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, we have secured two dedicated neighbourhood police officers for every ward in Birmingham doubling the level of coverage residents were originally due to receive. The Government’s decision to restore neighbourhood policing nationally ensured every ward across the country would have at least one designated officer, working with Al Carns, we raised concerns with local police leaders that this allocation would not be enough for Birmingham. I want to thank Chief Constable, Craig Guildford and Chief Superintendent Tom Joyce, for their support and recognition of our need for more offices in our communities.
Watch my video above. Read more here: Major Neighbourhood Policing Boost for Birmingham as MPs secure extra resources |
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Have your say: Woodgate, Bartley Green |
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Calling on Woodgate and Bartley Green residents - I want to hear how you think the £20 million Pride in Place investment should be spent. After years of campaigning I've secured £20 million for Woodgate and Bartley Green as part of the Pride in Place programme.
Woodgate and Bartley Green have long faced challenges with limited opportunities for young people, pressure on community facilities, and a lack of support for growth. This investment aims to reverse years of underfunding by restoring services, creating opportunities, and rebuilding pride in local neighbourhoods. I'm asking residents to share their thoughts on how the money should be used. It could be for more youth services, a community hub, improved outdoor spaces or more support for skills and employment. All ideas are welcome and will inform the plans for how the funding will be spent with the goal to benefit as many residents as possible. Please complete the survey here. |
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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year |
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As this will also be my last weekly update before Christmas, I'd like to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year. I hope you have a joyful, restful break this holiday season. |
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Here's eight things the Government has done that you may have missed last week: |
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🏡 This Labour Government is investing £3.5billion to prevent homelessness, and end rough-sleeping for good ⚽ Our National Youth Strategy will deliver 250 youth centres and rebuild youth services so that every young person has a trusted adult and a place where they belong 👷♂️With this Labour Government, almost a million young people will benefit from expanded support finding a job, as well as new training and work experience opportunities 🚄We unveiled our Great British Railway branding, coming soon to a train or station near you 👩🔧 We're delivering 50,000 more apprenticeships over the next three years and our Youth Guarantee is offering more training and jobs, backed by £820million 🎨 Our £3billion investment will end the postcode lottery for children with SEND 🧬 Grangemouth workers and the community will benefit from jobs and investment as the Labour Government backs a new biotech project with up to £1.5 million grant funding 💷 Covid fraud under the last government cost us £11billion. We are taking action to get our money back for our schools, hospitals and communities As always, if you have an issue you'd like to discuss, please contact my office at 0121 392 8426 or [email protected], or through my website. |
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Preet Kaur Gill MP Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne, North Edgbaston and Quinton Promoted by David Evans on behalf of the Labour Party, 20 Rushworth Street, London SE1 0SS |
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Follow Preet Kaur Gill MP | |
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