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MY WEEKLY UPDATE

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This week saw Birmingham go into Tier 2 (high) on the government's new
alert system, and with it, changes to some of our local restrictions (more
on that below).

While the introduction of local restrictions should be welcomed where they
are needed to curb the spread of Covid-19, the restrictions must be
evidence-based and the rationale must be clear to local people.

However, my inbox and postbag has been filled this week with constituents
who are confused as to why the current restrictions are being replaced,
with the introduction of bans on mixing in hospitality venues and the
loosening of restrictions in private gardens, when the evidence locally
suggests that transmission in our city is occurring in household not
hospitality settings.

Pubs and bars in Birmingham are on the brink. They have been hit hard by
restrictions and without the economic support needed to cushion the blow.
Instead of washing its hands of the industry, the government needs to take
urgent action to stop businesses going bust and many more jobs being lost.

NEW BIRMINGHAM RESTRICTIONS IN FULL

1. You must not mix with anybody outside of your household or support
bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place like a
pub, bar or restaurant

2. You must not socialise in a group of more than six outside, including in
a garden or other spaces like beaches or parks (other than where specific
exemptions apply in law)

3. Businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a Covid-secure manner,
other than those that remain closed in law

4. Certain businesses are required to ensure customers only consume food
and drink while seated, and must close between 10pm and 5am

5. Businesses and venues selling food for consumption off the premises can
continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service,
click-and-collect or drive-through

6. Schools, universities and places of worship remain open

7. Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of
attendees

8. Exercise classes and organised sport can continue to take place
outdoors. These will only be permitted indoors if it is possible for people
to avoid mixing with people they do not live with or share a support bubble
with, or for youth or disability sport

9. You can continue to travel to venues or amenities that are open, for
work or to access education, but should look to reduce the number of
journeys you make where possible

10. Entertainment and tourist attractions remain open, except for
nightclubs

LATEST LOCAL COVID NEWS [4]

JOIN US FOR THE BIRMINGHAM CLADDING SCANDAL SUMMIT

Over three years since the Grenfell fire tragedy, and thousands of people
in Birmingham are still living in buildings with dangerous flammable
cladding on their walls.

People don’t feel safe in their homes, are paying exorbitant fees for
stopgap fire safety measures, and cannot move home while banks deem their
flats as worthless. And to top it off, the government wants leaseholders to
pick up the tab for remedial works, at a cost of up to £78,000 per head.
That's not right, and something must be done.

Join me, Mike Amesbury, Labour's Housing Minister, Shabana Mahmood and
Birmingham MPs for our cladding summit next Thursday, 6:30-8pm where you
will hear from residents affected by the cladding scandal in Birmingham as
they put their questions to Lord Greenhalgh, Minister for Building Safety
and Communities.

REGISTER [5]

THE TORIES TURN THEIR BACKS ON BRITISH FARMERS

On Sunday, I told BBC Politics Midlands why we must legislate to ensure our
high food and farming standards are protected in law, ahead of the
Agriculture Bill coming back to the House of Commons on Monday.

Sadly, the Tories voted against Labour’s amendments to the Agriculture
Bill which would have protected UK food standards. The Conservatives have
yet again broken their promise to British farmers and the public.

WATCH [6]

AIR POLLUTION CONTRIBUTES TO 1,000 PREMATURE DEATHS A YEAR IN THE WEST
MIDLANDS

On the show I also discussed the illegal air quality that 60% of us are
living with in the UK, which is contributing to around 1,000 premature
deaths each year in the West Midlands alone.

That's why I am pleased that Birmingham is committed to launching the
government-mandated Clean Air Zone in 2021 to tackle this very real public
health risk.

Birmingham City Council is offering a range of exemptions and a £35m
package of financial incentives to help individuals and businesses upgrade
their vehicles so they do not need to pay the daily charges.

See HERE [7] for more information.

WATCH [8]

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT NEWS

THE PM IS BREAKING HIS PROMISE ON GIRLS' EDUCATION

The Prime Minister promised that he would ‘stand up for the right of
every girl in the world to have 12 years of quality education’.

However, in FCDO questions on Tuesday, I was told that he knew that a
programme to help 200,000 women and girls get an education was being
scrapped.

WATCH [9]

TIME TO INVEST IN NUTRITION

The FCDO's commitment to tackle malnutrition ends this year. Time is
running out to recommit and save the lives of children in poverty around
the world.

Today, on World Food Day, I am calling on all governments to step up to the
plate and invest in nutrition.

READ MORE [10]

© 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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