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MY WEEKLY UPDATE
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Dear John,
On Monday, Liz Truss announced the new international development strategy.
As the Shadow Cabinet Minister for International Development, it was good
to finally have a copy of the much-delayed strategy. However, I was
extremely disappointed with its policy and content to say the least.
In an article in the Times, a few weeks ago I set out the five tests the
strategy must meet to help Britain solve global crises and champion the
international order, rather than retreat further inwards. Sadly, it fails
all five.
‘Aid for trade' simply doesn't work. British people want the aid budget
to help those most in need around the world, not horse-traded for favours
to big British corporations. The Government appears to want to take us back
to the 1980s and corruption scandals like the Pergau Dam. It's not just bad
for those facing famine and conflict - it's short-sighted and wrong.
This strategy also dramatically weakens and will cut funds to the United
Nations and our multilateral system. In the middle of climate change and
war in Ukraine, Britain must not turn its back on the world's poorest. The
truth is that the Government aren't taking back control. Where once we led,
this strategy risks relegating Britain to a secondary role in the
international order.
If this government was serious about helping the world's poorest, it would
start by returning to 0.7% immediately, not in the distant future. Without
money behind it, this strategy is barely worth the paper it is written on.
JOINING SCHOOLS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH CONNECTIONS
I was thrilled to be able to join with pupils at St Paul's School for Girls
to take part in online activities with children in Nigeria in the run up to
the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. We linked up with Bomas Academy in
Jos, Nigeria, and exchanged information about families, school life and
favour subjects.
Steve Frew, who took gold in the 2002 games and 400m champion Lesley Owusu
also joined us at the school for a morning of sporting activities. The
event was part of Commonwealth Connections - a partnership between the
British Council and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. It involves 60
primary, secondary, and special schools in the West Midlands linking up
with 60 schools across 10 Commonwealth countries. Through the partnership,
children explore cultures and beliefs and learn how to communicate with
people from different backgrounds and perspectives through sports and arts.
Our wonderful city of Birmingham is one of the most diverse in the world
and truly reflects the Commonwealth. It’s fantastic to see Commonwealth
Connections promoting collaboration and encouraging young people to make
new connections with people from different backgrounds and different
countries.
The Sustainable Development Goals 2030 affect us all and it is vital that
young people, as future leaders, understand why these are so important. By
talking to people across the world with different perspectives of how
climate change and sustainability is impacting people’s lives is how we
show how global Britain can be a force for good.
STANDING UP FOR RESIDENTS AGAINST THE COST OF LIVING
This week in Parliament Labour has kept the pressure on the Government over
the cost-of-living crisis. With prices for food, fuel and energy continuing
to rise and residents across the country experiencing increasing financial
difficulties, Labour stepped in to force a vote in the House of Commons on
two proposals.
First, by calling for a one-off windfall tax on the billions of pounds of
profits on energy and oil producers that would raise billions of pounds and
cut energy bills across the country for millions of families by up to
£600. The money would also help insulate 19 million homes to be energy
efficient and cheaper to heat, ultimately saving households a further £400
per year.
I, along with my Labour colleagues, stood up and voted in favour of this.
However, after much dithering from the Prime Minster and Chancellor,
Conservative ministers voted against a plan to help people across
Birmingham and the rest of Britain. This I found particularly shameful.
Every single day that the Conservatives delay support, working families are
suffering. Families across the country can’t afford to wait for the Prime
Minister to make his mind up whether help will be provided.
Under the Conservatives, UK inflation just hit a 40-year high and working
families and pensioners are paying the price. That is why the second vote
which Labour brought forward was calling for an emergency budget to tackle
the cost of living crisis now. Again, I voted for taking action and helping
millions of people including my constituents. While the Conservatives voted
this measure down, Labour will continue to fight for residents and better
support through this entirely Conservative-made cost of living crisis.
THE QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE AND ADVICE SURGERIES
You may have read the above title and wondered how the Jubilee and my
advice surgeries are connected. The answer is that the Jubilee falls on
Friday 3rd June. This is also the date of my next advice surgery.
Due to the bank holiday, a few locations where I would normally host
surgeries are closed. Therefore, on the 3rd June only, I will not be
running my advice surgeries. Instead, I will be looking to meet with
residents at street parties and other community events across the
constituency. I hope to see as many residents as possible.
In the meantime, if you need my help or support with anything, please
contact me on email at
[email protected] or call me 0121 392
8426. Usual service will resume on 9th June with my Edgbaston ward surgery
running at the Community Centre, B15 2HU from 10.30-11.30am.
© 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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