This week, I headed to Liverpool for the first Labour Party Conference since we entered government earlier this year – our biggest and most well attended conference to date!
It was great to meet so many members and to chat to various businesses, charities and campaigners in my new role as Parliamentary Private Secretary to our Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.
Change has begun. This Labour government is fixing the foundations as a rock-solid platform from which to rebuild Britain.
Here are some of the things that we announced at conference this year.
A new Growth and Skills Levy and foundation apprenticeships for young people
New measures to strengthen our migration system, targeting the sectors most reliant on migration and boosting UK skills to fill those jobs
Housing reform to provide homes for all veterans in need, victims of domestic abuse and young care leavers
Roll out of free breakfast clubs in all primary schools from next year so that no child has to go to school hungry
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has outlined, ahead of her budget, that there will be no return to austerity
We will introduce a Hillsborough Law, which means that those responsible for public disasters, like Hillsborough, will never escape justice again
GB Energy, our new publicly-owned 100% clean power company, will be based in Aberdeen, providing good jobs and lower bills across the country
Planning Passports will be introduced to speed up the building of apartment blocks in towns and cities
300 new state nurseries will be rolled out in England within 12 months as part of our plan to build a Britain where children come first
Day One
It was a privilege to speak at the Purpose Coalition Panel about delivering the workforce our NHS needs to be fit for the future.
In government, Labour is already making progress to tackle the workforce crisis head-on. We are dealing with retention issues in our NHS with pay rises for staff, introducing funding to recruit 1,000 new GPs this year and drawing up a 10-year plan to fix our NHS. Our Health Secretary Wes Streeting has stated that we will need to make three major shifts for the future of our NHS – moving NHS treatment from hospital to community, analogue to digital and sickness to prevention.
Day Two
On Monday, it was business day. I started off by chairing the Co-op Party breakfast roundtable about the role of co-operatives in the rural economy.
Throughout the day, it was great to meet various business leaders in my new role as a Parliamentary Private Secretary to our Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and discuss how this Labour government will deliver on our principle mission – growth.
Being both pro-business and pro-worker will be fundamental for enabling us to give people the work, wages, prosperity and living standards that everyone in Britain needs and deserves.
You can read Jonathan Reynold’s full speech here.
Day Three
On Tuesday, it was great to speak at the Chatham House event about how Labour can rebuild the UK’s reputation as a global leader in international development, and the role that global health will play in this strategy.
Throughout the day, I enjoyed meeting with Ambassadors and High Commissioners to discuss Labour’s plan for growth.
Local News
Pension Credit
This week, my office has been calling pensioners in the constituency supporting them to check eligibility for pension credit. So far, we’ve got 30 pensioners signed up.
I am committed to ensuring that pensioners get the support they needed including the Household Support Fund.
You can find out more about how to apply to the Household Support Fund by clicking here. To express your interest in this payment, you can also call 0808 196 8856.
Free and Discounted Transport
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker is encouraging people in our region to sign up to the workwise scheme, which offers free and discounted travel to people starting new jobs.
This is a brilliant initiative to help get young people into work. You can find more information here.
Doorknocking
On my weekly doorknock, residents in North Edgbaston raised the issues of flytipping and drug related crime.
I'm already engaging with the council and the police to find lasting solutions to both of these issues. We are currently exploring a range of measures.
You can read my letter to residents here:
Campaigning
I am always looking for volunteers to help with my campaigns across the constituency.
If you can help me, please send us an email at preet@preetkaurgill.co.uk.
MHWC
Next Monday, 30th September, the MHWC is visiting Highfield Lane (Highfield Farm car park), in Quinton, B32 1QX. The centre is open between 7:30 and 13:00, so please do come along if you have bulky household waste to dispose of.
Best wishes,
Preet Kaur Gill MP
Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne, North Edgbaston and Quinton
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