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MY WEEKLY UPDATE

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Nearly one million children living in areas that are subject to Tier 2 and
Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions are set to lose access to free school meals
over the holidays.

That includes 61,000 children here in Birmingham whose families face a
“double whammy” as the October half term fast approaches – with
incomes and jobs at risk while vital support for children is removed, and
as the Prime Minister and Conservative MPs voted against Labour's motion
this week to extend the provision of free school meals over the holidays.

It is a moral outrage that the government will happily spend over £6,000 a
day on consultants and line the pockets of Serco shareholders in return for
a Test and Trace system that has collapsed, while leaving almost a million
children in areas subject to Tier 2 and Tier 3 restrictions to go hungry.

Thankfully, in the last few hours we have seen councils across the country,
including Birmingham City Council, step in and show real leadership in the
face of a government failing to act, by guaranteeing to provide FREE SCHOOL
MEALS [4] during half term next week.

READ MORE [5]

BIRMINGHAM CLADDING SCANDAL SUMMIT

Last night, I hosted a Birmingham Cladding Scandal Summit with Shabana
Mahmood MP, where we heard heart-rending testimonies from Birmingham
residents on how their family life, finances and mental health have been
impacted by the scandal in the city.

We were also pleased to be joined by Lord Greenhalgh, the Minister for
Building Safety and Communities, who had the unenviable task of fielding
tough questions from our panellists and attendees, as well as from his
opposite number, Labour's Mike Amesbury MP, who provided valuable
contributions and set out Labour's stall on the issue.

I want to thank everyone who attended for giving up their time for this
important issue, and for everyone who has been campaigning tirelessly
against this injustice felt by so many up and down the country.

In case you missed the event, you can watch it back in full by clicking the
button below.

WATCH BACK [6]

RIDE-ALONG WITH HARBORNE POLICE

Yesterday morning, I had the opportunity to ride-along with the Harborne
neighbourhood police team on operation.

It was an eye opening experience which reinforced my respect for officers
who do an incredible job day in day out under immense pressure and in
challenging circumstances.

You cannot protect the public on the cheap, that's why I will continue to
campaign for more resources and funding for our police.

WALKABOUT WITH BARTLEY GREEN RESIDENTS

Today, I hosted a walkabout with Bartley Green residents and Sergeant Mark
Short of Bartley Green neighbourhood police team.

The walkabout gave residents an opportunity to highlight any local concerns
with myself and the police. Dangerous driving and speeding issues along
Woodgate and Clapgate Lane were raised by many residents.

This is an issue I have taken up with the Council and I am pressing them to
look at what traffic calming measures can be implemented to ensure the
safety of road users and residents.

TEST AND TRACE TARGET MISSED IN EVERY LA AND REGION LAST WEEK

Reaching 80% of close contacts is key to slowing Covid-19 transmission, yet
this target was missed in every single English region and local authority
last week.

For instance, only half of all close contacts of covid-positive people were
reached here in the West Midlands last week, leaving thousands unaware that
they should be self-isolating.

Shambolic doesn't even begin to cover the government's handling of track
and trace.

READ MORE [7]

BE A COVID-19 COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Birmingham City Council has recently launched its Covid-19 Community
Champions initiative to help get factual and reliable information into
communities across the city.

Over 250 people have already signed up, and you can join them by signing up
to help by clicking the button below.

SIGN UP [8]

© 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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