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MY WEEKLY UPDATE
[3]
Dear John,
Like most women across the country, the events of the last ten days have
really struck a chord with me. Almost all women know what it feels like to
walk down a road and wonder if they are taking a safe route home. And,
I’ve had so many constituents write to me and tell me about their
experiences where something has happened and they’ve not been listened to
or taken seriously.
But, it’s no surprise women don’t feel safe right now. Under the
Conservatives, domestic homicide is at an all time high and rape
prosecutions have fallen to an all-time low - just 1.5% of people charged
with rape are getting convicted, yet these reports are up by 35%.
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that was discussed in
Parliament this week, could have been a watershed moment but this
Conservative Government’s Bill does absolutely nothing to increase
sentences for rapists, stalkers, or for those who batter, control and abuse
women. It does nothing about street harassment and assaults. And yes, as
Jess Phillips has said, this is an Abusers Charter. It does more to silence
women who speak up and protest against a lack of safety than it does to
protect us. There is nothing in the Bill about domestic abuse or sexual
violence.
For ten years this Government has promised a victim’s law, but it still
hasn’t materialised. That’s why I was so proud that this week, Labour
published a 10-point plan to keep women and girls safe and end the
injustice women and girls face. We’ve published a Victims Law. And in the
next few days we’ll publish amendments to make the criminal justice
system work better. Labour’s also called on the Government to look
urgently at tougher sentences for rape and serious sexual violence. For a
new law on street harassment. And tougher action against stalking. We
don’t need more consultations and delays, we need action.
[4]
Urgent inquiry call from Birmingham’s leaders and families
This week I joined with Birmingham City Council Leader, Cllr Ian Ward, and
Labour MPs across Birmingham, in calling for an independent inquiry into
the Government's handling of the Covid pandemic.
Over the last 12 months, I’ve heard from so many of my constituents who
have just heart-breaking stories, and they need to be heard.
Many grieving families have written to me looking for my support. That is
why I put my name to this letter to press Boris Johnson to act now and
bring closure to those left wondering if deaths were avoidable.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR STORIES HERE
[5]
Vaccine Supply Issues
NHS England has warned us of significant reduction in weekly supply of
vaccines and that appointments for first doses should be paused in April.
Reports show that this is partly due to a delay in a delivery from India of
five million Oxford-AstraZeneca doses.
Over the last year I have repeatedly urged the government to push for the
global sharing of Covid19 technologies as I did in this piece [6] in the
Independent from back in January. We need to share both know-how and data
to utilise manufacturing capacity and increase the production and delivery
of Covid19 vaccines.
People are rightly concerned and we need answers from the Health Secretary
to explain exactly what these supply issues are and what he is doing to
resolve them. Trying to dismiss or downplay the legitimate concerns of
anxious people waiting for a vaccine is simply not good enough.
KEEP UP TO DATE HERE
[7]
In the Lobby
Last night I took part in ITV’s Central Lobby alongside Conservative MP
for South Leicestershire Alberto Costa and Liberal Democrat campaigner
Zuffar Haq.
It was a lively discussion that focused on the events of the last week
around women’s safety In particular, we spoke about the differences
between Conservatives woefully lacking Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts
Bill that doesn’t mention women at all, compared to Labour’s clear ten
point plan to keep women safe.
We also took a look to the future and how the Midlands economy will fare as
we begin to come out of lockdown. Under the leadership of Boris Johnson,
Birmingham has suffered during the pandemic, leading to us having one of
the worst unemployment rates in the country, and the biggest levelling up
challenge of any city in the UK.
WATCH THE PROGRAMME HERE
[8]
In Conversation
As Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, on
Monday I’ll be hosting an online conversation for the West Midlands.
The event will take a look at our foreign aid spend which has been
substantially cut. While the British people have a proud history of
supporting those around the world who are in need or who are suffering,
this Government has announced a 60% cut in aid to the world’s biggest
humanitarian disaster in Yemen.
We’ll be discussing this and more on Monday 22 March. Join us to learn
more about the work Labour is doing to fight back against these cuts.
REGISTER HERE
[9]
Sunday is Census Day
This Sunday is Census Day and it’s vital that everyone in Edgbaston takes
part.
By now, you should have received a letter in the post explaining how the
census works and with an access code, which you can use to log in to the
website.
It’s vital that we all take part and complete the census as it is our
chance to stand up and be counted. It also shows the Government and the
City Council how many people are in which part of the constituency, so that
resources can be appropriately allocated and our local communities get the
services that they need.
FAQS AND FURTHER INFO
[10]
Launching the Charter of Rights on Exempt Accommodation
After working with 50 different organisations including Spring Housing and
BVSC, this week Birmingham City Council launched the city's new Charter of
Rights and Quality Standard for exempt accommodation. I was proud to put my
name to this and endorse the Charter alongside my Labour colleague, Jess
Phillips MP, and Birmingham City Council cabinet member for homes and
neighbourhoods, Cllr Sharon Thompson.
I have been working with residents on exempt accommodation for many years
now highlighting the growing problem that this type of accommodation can
raise for our local communities. While this is a positive first step that
will look to encourage providers to raise their standards, we need to
continue to work hard to make sure that those landlords and support
providers which don't commit to these standards, are held to account.
I was glad to see one of my constituents start a petition that calls for
the Government to allocate time to debate the Supported Accommodation Bill.
The Bill calls for controls to ensure the suitability of accommodation
provided for supported housing and the fitness of landlords to use
universal credit and housing benefit to deliver good support.
SIGN THE PETITION
© 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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