Dear John,

After working hard and studying in the most difficult circumstances, thousands of students across Edgbaston will have received their A Level, GCSE and BTEC results this week.  
 
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my congratulations to everyone who received their results. You should be extremely proud of what you have achieved in these truly unprecedented times, and I would like to wish you the best of luck with your next steps. 
 
However, these results have also shown us the glaring inequalities that have been allowed to develop during the pandemic. Since 2019, the gap in attainment between students on free school meals and their peers has increased by a third. In practical terms, it means that these students are less than half as likely to get a Grade 7 (A) or above in their GCSE results. 
 
This need not be the case. The Government acted painfully slowly in distributing laptops and internet data. They repeatedly failed to feed students on free school meals, instead relying on local councils, schools, and communities to step in and act. This apathy from the Government has inevitably hampered children’s learning throughout the pandemic. 
 
The Government has been warned that without action the Covid legacy will be one of widening inequalities, yet their recovery plan is woefully insufficient. Labour has set out a bold recovery plan that would invest in and support every child to bounce back from the pandemic so that they can so they can learn, develop, and have a bright future. It’s time the Conservatives get behind Labour’s plan and match our ambition for children’s futures. 

I have been speaking to businesses in Harborne about how they are coping since we’ve moved out of restrictions. They told me about how they are increasingly concerned about the unacceptable number of break-ins on the High Street. I've spoken with the Inspector West Midlands Police and to Harborne Village about the measures that are needed. 
 
But this comes as almost no surprise as crime has been rising across the country and across the constituency. Since the Conservatives have been in government, we've lost 2,100 Police officers across our region, we’re seeing record low convictions for rape and anti-social behaviour has increased by 50%. 
  
The choices made by the Conservative Government have had direct consequences in our community. But it doesn't have to be this way. 
 
Labour would redirect the £280m that has been earmarked for the Prime Minister’s new government yacht and spend it in areas like Quinton, Bartley Green, Harborne and Edgbaston to tackle anti-social behaviour. This level of funding could pay for PCSOs, help Birmingham City Council fund enforcement activity or pay for additional CCTV. 
 
Labour would work to end violence against women and girls. They would increase sentences for rape and stalking, review sentencing for all domestic abuse, and put in place better support for victims of rape and sexual violence – delivering where the Conservatives have failed to step up. 
 
We also need more support for our youth services that have seen funding cuts of £1bn, 750 youth centres close and more than 4,500 youth workers lose their jobs all under Conservative rule. This needs to be addressed so that young people have safe places to spend their time. 
 
More than ever, we need a government that is willing to stand up and protect people. This doesn't mean slashing funding to key services or taking Police off our streets. It’s the reverse. It’s committing to ensuring more Police Officers are patrolling our streets and that is exactly what you would see from a Labour Government. 
 
If you would like to have your say on crime in our community, please make your voice heard by responding to our survey. 
 

As you will no doubt already be aware, next year the Commonwealth Games will be coming to Birmingham. With it, has brought lots of jobs and volunteering opportunities. In fact, the Commonwealth Games is looking to recruit more than 13,000 spirited, dedicated and dynamic volunteers to be the heartbeat of the Commonwealth Games and to help deliver the biggest sporting and cultural event the West Midlands has ever seen.    
 
However, the deadline for applications is Tuesday 17th August. So, if you want to be the face of Birmingham 2022 and to be a part of something truly special, be sure to get your application in by Tuesday. 

Last week I was happy to recommence my constituency advice surgeries. Being able to once again meet with residents on a face-to-face basis and support them with issues was fantastic.  
 
While last week’s surgeries were on a limited basis due to the availability of community spaces, I am delighted to say that from next month, 3rd September, my advice surgeries will return to their usual sessions with regular locations.  
 
If you have a question or concern that you feel I can assist you with, if you are an Edgbaston resident, you are more than welcome to come along to one of the below sessions and I will be happy to meet with you. 

First Friday of each month  
 
North Edgbaston - 10.30-11.30am St. Germain’s Church, City Rd, B17 8LE  
Bartley Green - 2.30-3.30pm Newman University, Genners Lane, B32 3NT 
Quinton - 5-6pm Quinborne Centre, Ridgacre Road, B32 3TW 
Harborne - 6.30-7.30pm Lordswood Girls School, Knightlow Road, B17 8QB 
 
Second Thursday of each month 
 
Edgbaston - 10.30-11.30am Edgbaston Community Centre, 40 Woodview Drive, B15 2HU