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My weekly update

This weekend we await news on the trade negotiations with the EU which have
been in deadlock for months.

The options Prime Minister Boris Johnson has brought us to are a thin deal
(the so-called Canadian option) or no-deal (the so-called Australian
option). At present, the Prime Minister has indicated that there is a
“strong possibility” of no-deal.

Crashing out of a trading bloc with our nearest and largest partners
without a deal would be a disaster for Britain. We risk our security
intelligence sharing arrangements, huge tariffs on many products
(especially food), massive tailbacks and blockages to trade at our borders,
and a predicted additional 2% hit to GDP according to the OBR. Put simply,
this would mean higher unemployment, higher inflation and a smaller
economy.

That the UK is even in this position with just days to go before the
deadline on 31st December and while already facing the worst economic
downturn in the G7 is incompetence of the highest order. Last year, the
British people were promised an ‘oven-ready’ deal. The Chancellor Rishi
Sunak said in the run-up to the general election that ‘We won’t need to
plan for no-deal because we have a deal’.

Yet with 20 days to go, many businesses still don’t know where they
stand, and the uncertainty is causing chaos at our borders.

For Birmingham and the West Midlands, whose economy is built on industries
like automotive and manufacturing that rely on frictionless trade, this is
especially damaging.

With news earlier this week that Honda had to shut its Swindon factory due
to a parts shortage, I wrote to the Government to ask what it is doing to
address the gridlock. You can read my letter by clicking the link below.

LETTER TO GOVERNMENT [3]

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BIRMINGHAM OVERLOOKED FOR VACCINE ROLLOUT

On Tuesday we saw the wonderful scenes of 91-year-old Margaret Keenan
becoming the first person to receive the Pfizer Covid-19 jab. This was a
great moment for humanity, and I congratulate the incredible achievement of
the scientists who have worked on the vaccine.

However, as we woke up to this news, it also emerged that Birmingham had
been overlooked for early rollout of the jab. With Birmingham in Tier 3 and
having lost over 1,400 people to coronavirus, it was incredible that no
hospital in our city had been prioritised. When asked about this in PMQs,
the Prime Minister had no answer [5].

Earlier this week, I, Liam Byrne, the Leader of Birmingham City Council and
other Labour MPs wrote to the Government demanding answers as to why we had
been overlooked, despite our hospitals having been ready to go from
December 1st.

Following talks with the Health Minister, the latest news is that we have
been promised a delivery this evening to hopefully start Saturday – but
could have to wait until next week if this is any later due to no weekend
deliveries.

The second city getting second class treatment from this Government…

WATCH  COVERAGE [4]

[6]

BIRMINGHAM DESIGN GUIDE CONSULTATION

Birmingham is at an important juncture. As the need to address climate
change becomes increasingly critical, the city must transition to a zero
carbon environment, with future investment and developments playing in
important role in helping the city achieve this.

To help guide elements of this transition and create healthy, high quality
spaces across Birmingham, the City Council has produced the draft
Birmingham Design Guide. This sets out the design aspirations of the city,
with guidance to ensure all development aids the creation of high quality,
people focused places that are resilient, innovative and healthy.

The consultation period is open now until 5th February 2021. Click below to
learn more.

LEARN MORE [7]

[8]

FARMERS PROTESTS IN INDIA

On Thursday, it was a pleasure to join an international coalition of
politicians and activists to discuss the Indian Farm Laws and subsequent
protests in Punjab. On the call were Punjab legislative assembly members,
US and Canadian MPs, along with the activist Deep Sidhu.

I come from a family of farmers who are part of this strike. 250 million
people have joined, making it the largest protest in history – yet
farmers have been met with police violence including the use of water
cannons and tear gas.

Freedom of peaceful assembly is a fundamental right, and it must be
protected.

READ MORE [8]

[9]

You can also hear Preet on this week's episode of 'What were you thinking?'

"Laura talks with Preet Gill MP, Shadow of State for International
Development. Preet shares how her dad and family influenced her, her
experience as Shadow Secretary for International Development, Labour’s
views on the creation of the FCDO, COP26, and the changes in the Labour
Party. Preet has been named MP of the Year in the prominent Patchwork
Awards."

LISTEN HERE [9]

Address and Contacts



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