Dear John

Happy New Year! Welcome to my first update of 2026. I hope you all enjoyed a restful Christmas and that your 2026 is off to a great start.

This Week the Government Announced...

Fresh start: PM speaks about plans for 2026

At the start of this week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with his Cabinet for the first time outlining his plans for 2026.

Here are some of the measures this Government will implement this year:
 

🥣 Thousands more free breakfast clubs will open.
 

👮 3,000 additional neighbourhood police officers will be on our streets by March.
 

🏠👷‍♂️ New rights for renters and workers will come into effect in the spring.
 

🏥 Almost 120 community diagnostic centres will be open seven days a week across the country by April – helping to reduce waiting lists and renew our NHS.
 

Watch Keir Starmer address the Cabinet above.

Biggest Road Safety Strategy in over a decade

Thousands lives to be saved with new Road Safety Strategy as the Government announced its first Road Safety Strategy in over a decade, with plans that will reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 65% by 2035.

Some of the changes include:
 

🍺Lowering the drink-drive limit in England and Wales;

🚗Introducing a 3- or 6-month minimum learning period for learner drivers, giving them more time to develop their skills in varied conditions.

🚙Mandatory eyesight testing for those over 70.
 

Read more about the strategy here: Thousands of lives to be saved under bold new Road Safety Strategy - GOV.UK

First in a generation Animal Welfare Strategy

The Government set out its Animal Welfare Strategy – the first major reform in a generation. It will end the cruel practice of puppy farming, where dogs are overbred in poor conditions, often leading to long-term health issues.
 

The Strategy strengthens protections for dogs and wildlife, building on recent laws that stop puppy smuggling.
 

Farm animals in England and Wales will also be better protected from dog attacks under new Livestock Worrying laws, with tougher penalties and greater police powers to support farming communities. These reforms close loopholes and update outdated legislation to reflect the latest evidence.

Read more here: Preet Kaur Gill MP welcomes launch of biggest animal welfare reforms in a generation

New NHS online services announced 

The Government announced the first health conditions to be prioritised in the new NHS online services to be rolled out this year.
 

• The nine conditions that will be prioritised initially are:

  • glaucoma

  • conditions affecting the retina at the back of the eye (including age-related macular degeneration)

  • cataracts

  • inflammatory bowel disease

  • iron deficiency anaemia

  • prostate enlargement

  • raised PSA levels (not cancer diagnoses)

  • menopause
     

Read more about the services here: NHS Online to offer video appointments for nine common conditions | The Independent

Cyber Security Bill passes Second Reading

Cyber attacks cost the UK businesses around £15 billion a year. Last year, over 11,000 NHS appointments and procedures were lost due to cyber attack.
 

The Government's Cyber Security Resilience Bill passed Second Reading in the House of Commons and will now enter the Committee stage. The bill will protect businesses and the services the public rely on from growing threat of cyber crime. It will strengthen UK cyber laws by expanding regulated sectors, enforcing stricter security standards, and giving regulators more power to ensure critical services and digital infrastructure are resilient against cyber threats.

Backed by over £210 million, the Government Cyber Action Plan was also published on Tuesday 6 January which sets out how government will rise to meet the growing range of online threats. Driven by a new Government Cyber Unit, the plan will rapidly improve cyber defences and digital resilience across government departments and the wider public sector, so people can trust that their data and services are protected.  

Read more here: New cyber action plan to tackle threats and strengthen public services - GOV.UK

Message from Steve Reed on £20 million for Woodgate, Bartley Green

Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government shared a message celebrating the £20 million for Pride in Place I’ve secured for Woodgate, Bartley Green.

We have a chance to use this money to improve our community and I want to hear your thoughts on how we should spend it. I encourage everyone to fill in my survey and share your views with me here. 

Local News

Rail Fares Freeze

On Monday morning, I joined local residents outside Five Ways Station to share the news that Labour is freezing rail fares – putting money back in your pocket.
 

The new rail fare freeze will save commuters hundreds of pounds over the year. This first freeze in 30 years ensures train users can continue to rely on public transport without worrying about price rises.

Read more about the rail freeze here: First rail freeze in 30 years to ease the cost of living - GOV.UK

Why I Am Blue Labour and Why the State Must Be Brave Again

This week I wrote an article for The Telegraph in which I outlined my values and how my upbringing in Edgbaston influenced my politics. I explained how important community, responsibility and courage to confront difficult truths is to me as a Member of Parliament.
 

I discussed the issues that matter most to me:
 

✅ Protecting women’s safety and dignity

✅ Enforcing the law fairly, including tackling illegal migration

✅ Driving economic renewal rooted in local strengths
 

As a part of Blue Labour, I emphasise how we're not turning away from the future – we're anchoring progress in values that unite us and build a strong future together.
 

Read the full article here: Labour must go blue

Windrush Listening and Engagement Event

Windrush Listening and Engagement Event in Birmingham is taking place on Saturday, 31 January 2026 from  10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at The Legacy Centre of Excellence, Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham B6 4UU.
 

This important community event provides a valuable opportunity to learn more about the Windrush scheme, ask questions, and raise any concerns directly with key representatives. There will also be an opportunity to meet the UK's First Windrush Commissioner and have direct discussions. 
 

The event will include a Home Office surgery session, offering attendees the chance to engage in direct dialogue with the Windrush Commissioner and Home Office representatives, all in one place.

This is a free community event, and a complimentary lunch will be provided during the Home Office surgery session.

I encourage to take this opportunity to gain to gain accurate information about Windrush and to have your voice heard.

To register email: [email protected] 

Men's meet & move: reducing isolation & inactivity

Edgbaston Archery's Chairman Neil Glasspool, is starting a programme to help local men to break the barrier of isolation and give the opportunity of activity. To support the project he has launched a crowdfunder to help raise funds to match a grant that they have secured from Sport England. Any support for Neil would be appreciated if you'd like to donate please visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/mens-meet-move

 Yellow weather alert - stay safe

With harsh weather conditions today, please take extra care when travelling. Follow official guidance and, if possible, stay warm at home.

For weather updates please visit: Birmingham (West Midlands Conurbation) weather - Met Office

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.

With warm regards,

 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