Dear John,

I wanted to start this week by congratulating Paulette Hamilton on winning the Erdington byelection and becoming Birmingham’s first Black MP. It is a brilliant achievement and I’m looking forward to working alongside her in Parliament. I know that she will do a fantastic job of carrying on Jack Dromey’s legacy and will work hard for local residents in Erdington. 
 
I would personally like to thank all those who travelled over to Erdington to support and campaign for Paulette over the last few weeks and months. I was proud to see so many Labour members and supporters from Edgbaston. Now, we must turn our focus to the local elections in Birmingham. I know our excellent local Labour candidates will be hoping for your continued support and I’m looking forward to seeing you on the doors and in any other capacity you can help. 
 

Today I was extremely proud to launch my petition with the Birmingham Mail to call for immediate reform to the way which exempt accommodation is managed across the UK. In the last year alone, in Birmingham we've seen the number of exempt properties increase from 6,000-odd to more than 8,000. Meanwhile it is local communities that are left to face the consequences.  
 
In Edgbaston, working with partners and residents, I was proud to be able to get an exempt property closed - the first order of its kind in the country. However, there were no restrictions to the landlord simply opening another similar property in the neighbouring constituency with exactly the same problems. 
 
While the Government say that they are listening, we need for them to really hear us. Birmingham needs urgent reform now. Not in a few years' time. That is why I have spoken to all MPs across Birmingham, regardless of political parties, to ask them to support this petition. I am pleased to say that all ten MPs are committed to backing this petition for the good of our city and its residents. 
 
The petition calls for: 
 
1) We want emergency measures introduced swiftly that mean our city can STOP any more exempt properties opening where too many already exist 
2) We want a BAN on more individuals being housed in Birmingham ‘exempt’ properties who have no clear links to the area, except in crisis situations where they are fleeing danger. 
3) We want our local councils to get more powers to CLAMP DOWN on badly run, unsafe accommodation 
4) We also want more FUNDING for local authorities to inspect all exempt properties and enhanced housing benefit applications and shut down any that fail to meet quality standards. 
5) We want local politicians to have the power to REJECT new exempt housing benefit claims in oversaturated streets and neighbourhoods. 
6) And we want a clear, statutory DEFINITION of what 'care, support and supervision' must look like in exempt accommodation. 

Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is an abomination. I and the Labour Party stand united with the government and our NATO and European allies in condemnation of this heinous violation of international law. 
  
The reports in recent days of attacks on the Ukrainian people and civilian infrastructure, including schools and orphanages, has been appalling. The indiscriminate attacks on urban centres especially have already claimed the lives of more than 140 civilians, and many more have been injured. The real death toll is likely to be far higher. 
  
Reports now show that at least 160,000 Ukrainians have been internally displaced, and over 650,000 people have crossed the border from Ukraine into neighbouring European countries. Millions more could flee in the coming days, and those who remain are coming under increasing danger from the escalating Russian military violence. 
 
Families have been separated; thousands of homes destroyed; and hundreds of thousands are cut off from water, food, healthcare and other basic services. Time is of the essence to get support on the ground as the violence gets worse. We must work quickly to support the people of Ukraine in their hour of need. 
 
Many constituents have asked what we can do locally. I’m proud to be working with Harborne and Quinton Labour Party. We will be collecting donations of blankets, warm clothes, medical equipment and hygiene packs that can be dropped off at: 
 
Harborne: Saturdays 11am to 1pm on Harborne High Street at our stall outside the Post Office. 
Quinton: Fridays 3-6.30pm at Quinborne Community Centre, Ridgacre Road, B32 2TW. 

This week I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with pupils at George Dixon Academy in North Edgbaston. After Year 9 students wrote to me, asking me to visit, it was fantastic to meet them and talk about their ambitions for the future. 
 
During my visit we spoke about the opportunities available for young people, my journey into politics and the role of an MP. It was great to be able to answer such insightful questions and see so many students engaged and interested in politics. I look forward to watching their bright futures!