Weekly Update - 23 January 2026 |
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This Week the Government Announced... |
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Guidance for under-16s online use |
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This week the Government announced a three-month consultation focused on measures to keep children safe online. This will include the option of banning social media for children below a certain age. And raising the digital age of consent – to stop companies using and profiting from children’s data without their parents' consent. This will be a formal consultation putting the views of parents, and crucially children, at the centre. It will take place alongside the evidence base rapidly developing, both in the UK and abroad, especially in Australia.
Alongside the main consultation document, the government will also publish a version of the consultation aimed specifically at children (with simpler, age-appropriate language) so their voices are heard in this debate of national importance. This government has monitored the problem of mobile phones in schools, working closely with the sector, to understand what guidance is needed to ensure our children are safe online. Watch Liz Kendall's interview with BBC Breakfast above. The Government has also shared guidance on teenagers use of mobile phones. Read more here: Government to drive action to improve children’s relationship with mobile phones and social media - GOV.UK |
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The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood announced police forces in England and Wales will receive the largest investment in British history to keep communities safe. A record £18.4 billion investment is being made across forces to restore neighbourhood policing, reduce crime and catch criminals. This is an increase of £3.3 billion and a 11% real terms increase compared to 23/24 when the previous Government were in power. For West Midlands Police this is a 12% increase in spending in real terms, to provide much needed return to neighbourhood policing strategy. Alongside this investment, the government will introduce the Neighbourhood Policing Ringfence to move officers behind desks out into communities. This will help to fix the current funding model, which sees the Home Office forcing chiefs to maintain arbitrary officer headcounts each year via the Officer Maintenance Grant. This has led to forces hiring uniformed officers and then putting them in back-office roles, instead of being out in communities, tracking down suspects and attending call outs from victims. The number of trained police officers in desk-based support roles has soared by over 40% to more than 12,600 in the last six years as a result, while the total number of officers only increased by around 20% in the same period. The announcement comes as our MP alongside Al Carns secured 2 neighbourhood officers per ward for Birmingham, read more here: Major Neighbourhood Policing Boost for Birmingham as MPs secure extra resources |
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Biggest change to water regulation in a generation |
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A new once-in-a-generation plan to overhaul the water system and protect households from disruption has been unveiled this week.
The plan sets out clear powers for the new regulator, delivering tougher oversight and stronger accountability for water companies. For the first time in two decades, a Chief Engineer will sit inside the new single water regulator. The new regulator will introduce an ‘MOT’ approach for water company infrastructure, requiring health checks on pipes, pumps and more.
This forward-looking approach means no more waiting to act, spotting problems before they happen and preventing water shortages. These reforms put prevention first, requiring companies and bosses to plan for the long-term. Where companies fall short, the new Performance Improvement Regime will give the regulator the power to act fast and fix failures so that underperforming water companies recover faster, protecting customers and the environment and giving stability to investors.
At the same time, a roll-out of smart metering and mandatory efficiency labels on items like dishwashers and washing machines will help households monitor their water use and cut costs – delivering savings of over £125 million on water and energy bills over the next decade. Read more here: News | Preet Kaur Gill MP |
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The Labour Government is modernising our public services to make them faster, simpler, and more reliable. After years of delays and red tape, it’s clear the old system isn’t working. If we can shop, bank, or book appointments online in minutes, why shouldn’t government services work just as efficiently? This plan is about building a public service that delivers for everyone. Changes include creating small, expert teams to tackle big problems quickly, bringing in specialists to design smarter, more efficient digital services, and giving civil servants the tools and training they need to do their jobs well. The focus is on getting things done, not endless paperwork, so people can access the support they need without frustration. The senior civil service will also be transformed. Labour will reward those who deliver results and innovate, while holding underperforming leaders accountable. The new National School of Government and Public Services will train civil servants to work in a modern, digital-first world, ensuring services improve for all of us. Why this matters to you: Faster, simpler services mean less time on the phone or in queues, easier access to healthcare, education, and support, and a government that actually listens and responds. Read more about the plans here: “Move fast, fix things” – Darren Jones sets out plan to rewire Whitehall and incentivise innovation in the civil service - GOV.UK |
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New Growth package announced |
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This week, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle announced a package that will build growth across our country and raise living standards in the process. Slashing red tape, providing stability, and putting in the investment that our businesses need.
This growth package includes: The British Business Bank making its largest ever direct investment into a private company, Kraken Technologies, so it can scale-up and create jobs and prosperity here in Britain. A landmark investment of £100m in key Industrial Strategy sectors. Measures to dramatically simplify business regulation, including removing unnecessary paperwork and streamlining compliance checks for businesses, part of this Government’s plan to slash administrative costs by 25% These actions will get growth rising, to create an economy that can deliver prosperity for all
Read more here: Business Secretary backs British scaleups with growth package and red tape review - GOV.UK |
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This week the Government unveiled the Warm Homes Plan, the biggest ever investment in home upgrades to cut fuel poverty for up to 1 million families.
Under the Warm Homes Plan, support will be targeted at low income families, alongside a universal offer to ensure every type of household in the country, regardless of income, will have the chance to benefit from clean power upgrades to cut their energy bills.
The affordability crisis is the number one issue facing families in the country, that’s why Labour is acting to take £150 of costs off energy bills from April, and delivering record investment into upgrading homes to cut bills. The Warm Homes Plan will mean millions more families can benefit from clean power technologies ranging from solar panels, to heat pumps, batteries and insulation that will bring down bills. In addition, the Government is also unveiling new protections for renters, to ensure landlords invest in upgrades to cut bills for renters and social tenants Watch the video above for more information. Also, read more here: UK households to get £15bn for solar and green tech to lower energy bills - BBC News |
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£1.5 Billion Package to Restore National Pride |
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This week the Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy announced that £1.5 billion will be invested in cultural organisations over the next five years. This funding will protect and restore more than 1,000 arts venues, museums, libraries, and heritage buildings across the country. Tackling urgent capital needs, preserve local heritage, and provide accessible, no- or low-cost cultural experiences for families.
The £1.5 billion of funding is made up of: £760 million for museums £425 million Creative Foundations Fund which will support approximately 300 capital projects in arts venues across the country £230 million for heritage protecting and preserving heritage buildings, including listed places of worship, across the country £27.5 million for Libraries Improvement Fund which supports public libraries to upgrade their buildings and technology to meet changing needs to better serve their communities. £80 million capital funding over four years to benefit National Portfolio organisations that receive regular investment from Arts Council England. This is part of a 5% uplift next year for these organisations that will help deliver arts and culture activity in every local authority
Read more here: Government announces bumper £1.5 billion package to restore national pride - GOV.UK |
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This week I spoke in Westminster Hall about the ongoing bin strike in Birmingham City Council. Enough is enough, we need to come together as a community and resolved this issue. Watch my full speech above or on Youtube here: Preet Kaur Gill MP on Birmingham Bins debate |
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Politics Midlands appearance |
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Last Sunday you may have tuned in to my appearance on the panel for Politics Midlands. We spoke on a range of topics including: West Midlands Police Chief Constable retirement, Coventry City of Culture and local Council elections. You can watch my full appearance here: Preet on Politics Midlands 18-01-26 |
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Meeting with Head of Parks at Birmingham City Council |
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Great to meet with the Head of Parks Birmingham City Council yesterday. I’ve been working with the team on Queen’s Park, Edgbaston Reservoir, and Woodgate Country Park, and will continue to support plans for investment. |
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Have your say on Pride in Place funding for 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, and closure of community facilities. This investment aims to reverse years of underfunding, 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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Meeting with Edgbaston Sailing Club |
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I also caught up with Midlands Sailing Club based at Edgbaston Reservoir. Excited to work together as investment and development plans progress. |
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Keeping our high streets alive |
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Our high streets are at the heart of our communities but they won’t thrive by accident. Yesterday at More in Common and Post Office's, Future of Our High Streets event, we talked about the need for real vision, strong local leadership and involving residents in shaping the places they use every day. Great to meet Theo Paphitis and hear how businesses are stepping up to keep high streets alive. |
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Doorknocking in Bartley Green |
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On Friday I undertook my street surgery in Bartley Green speaking to residents on Hayley Green Road. it’s important I hear direct from residents on issues that matter to them. I'll be doorknocking across the constituency every week - I hope to speak with lots of you! |
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Age UK and ending corridor care |
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Corridor care must end. Thanks to Age UK for arranging an informative drop in. After years of previous Government cuts, our NHS is stretched to the limit. I support Wes Streeting’s commitment to end corridor care and will keep pushing for dignified care for all. |
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Venturefest West Midlands returns for 2026 |
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Barnsley Road HMO certificate - REFUSED |
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A planning application for continued use as a large Home of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) has been refused by the council. The proposed seven-bed Home of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) has been rejected by Birmingham City Council. Thanks to local councillors and my constituents for working with me to raise the issue and for enabling us to share concerns about the application with planning officers. |
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Why I'm Blue Labour and why the state must be brave again |
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I recently wrote an article for The Telegraph, "Why I am blue labour and why the state must be brave again". Blue labour describes the politics I’ve lived, not a faction I’ve joined. I was brought up around community, solidarity and contribution. Blue Labour is about strong families, strong communities and a state that takes responsibility seriously. That’s entirely consistent with Labour values. The full article is available here: Why I'm blue Labour and why the state must be brave again |
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Job Fair exhibition in Birmingham |
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Here’s seven things the Government has delivered in England last week: 🩺 Waiting lists are down by more than 312,000 – with an 86,000 drop in November alone 🚄 We are backing Northern Powerhouse Rail – giving the North the transport links the region deserves 👷 We have unlocked thousands of clean energy jobs for people in Scotland with £3 billion of private investment bringing secure, clean energy to people right across the United Kingdom 👶 Stronger parental leave rights laid before Parliament this week will give millions of working families the security they deserve 🎭 We have opened applications for the first-ever UK Town of Culture competition 🤝 By reforming the Disability Confident Scheme, disabled people across the UK will have better opportunities with tailored support for small businesses ❌ Immigration enforcement raids are at the highest level in British history as we restore order to the immigration system 👩🏫Our £200 million landmark SEND training programme will upskill staff in every school, college and nursery so the right support will be there at every stage of a child’s education 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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