Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill
Part of my speech from the debate at the bill's second reading
On Monday, I voted for measures to secure our borders and go after criminal smuggling gangs at the second reading of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. I also spoke in the Parliamentary debate.
We need to break the business model of these vile criminals, so I commend the government for taking a practical approach to border security. This bill will create new powers to strengthen law enforcement’s ability to identify, disrupt and prevent serious and organised crime, including organised immigration crime, through new criminal offences and expanded data-sharing capabilities. These measures are similar to the approach taken to counter terrorism, enabling earlier intervention against those individuals facilitating organised crime.
I’m also very pleased that the Government backed my bill and included measures that will criminalise the possession of the blueprints for 3D-printed guns. These guns are incredibly dangerous and are untraceable.
I also spoke to the BBC about the threat posed by 3D-printed guns. You can read the write up here and watch the clip below.
You can also watch the Channel 4 documentary I featured in here.
Apprenticeship Week
This week is National Apprenticeship Week.
Apprenticeships are vital to grow our economy, and in Birmingham, we have 9,460 apprentices currently on their course. I’m glad that this Labour government has announced that up to 10,000 more apprentices will be able to qualify per year by giving employers more flexibility over maths and English requirements.
This comes along with other measures to create more opportunities for young people and grow the economy. Labour’s first piece of education legislation since entering government, currently going through Parliament, paves the way for Skills England – a body that will find and fill skills gaps across our country.
The Prime Minister has also announced new foundation apprenticeships, rebalancing our training system back towards young people.
If you have evidence about the challenges facing the further education system or knowledge of any solutions across the country, the Education Select Committee is calling for evidence for their new inquiry on Further Education and Skills. You can find out more and submit evidence to the inquiry before 7th March, here.
Temporary Accommodation
In Birmingham, we have an unacceptable number of families and children in temporary accommodation. It’s not right that families are spending months or even years living out of hotel rooms or B&Bs due to a shortage of social and affordable housing.
I’m pleased that our Labour government is investing £350m to increase the number of affordable and social homes and ease council housing pressures. You can read more here.
New Towns
For too long, the dream of homeownership has been denied to families in this country.
Hundreds of thousands of people are now set to benefit from a generation of new towns across Britain, with the Prime Minister paving the way for the largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era. These new towns will be well-designed, beautiful communities with affordable housing, GP surgeries, schools and public transport where people will want to live.
Over 100 proposals from across every region in England have been submitted, and every new town will have the potential to deliver 10,000 new homes or more. Read more here.
Leasehold
Many of my constituents with leaseholds have been let down by unreliable managing agents like FirstPort.
Labour is improving the lives of leasehold homeowners. We are introducing legislation that will allow them to easily and cheaply take control of the buildings they live in and clamp down on unreasonable or extortionate charges by giving more people access to the “Right to Manage” scheme. You can read more here.
Public Health Funding Boost
As a former cabinet minister for public health at Sandwell Council, I’m delighted that Birmingham has been given a 3% public health funding boost to drive key services, including children's health, addiction recovery, smoking cessation, and sexual health.
This increase in funding is part of a nearly £200 million boost for local authorities to improve health outcomes across the country and build healthier communities. You can read more here.
Waiting Lists
It’s great news that the number of patients on NHS waiting lists has now fallen for the fourth month in a row.
At University Hospitals Birmingham Trust, in my constituency, waiting lists fell at twice the rate of the rest of the country over the same period. It’s clear that Labour’s plan for change is working. You can read more here.
PMQs
Asking the Prime Minister a question in PMQs this week
At PMQs, I asked the Prime Minister if he agreed with me that only Labour is serious about repairing our broken immigration system.
On Monday, MPs had the chance to support legislation put forward by this Labour government to crack down on criminal smuggler gangs and secure our borders. The Conservatives and Reform, however, linked arms in the voting lobby to vote against it. The Prime Minister agreed with me, saying "they voted for open borders”.
Growth
On Thursday, I joined the Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds at an event with business CEOs as he set out his ambition for delivering further and faster growth.
He said he is serious about delivering our wider regulatory reform over the coming weeks and months, and is serious about building the pro-innovation, pro-worker, pro-wealth creation economy that Labour promised at the General Election. You can read Jonathan Reynold’s full speech here.
I also spoke to ITV about how Labour's plans will deliver growth in the West Midlands. You can read that article here.
ITV Central
Speaking to ITV Central about pride in Birmingham
Earlier this week, I was shocked to see that a journalist had written up a piece in The Times bashing Birmingham.
Birmingham is where I was born and raised. Tennis was invented on a lawn in Edgbaston in 1859. We have more canals than Venice, and the first ever hole-in-the heart surgery was carried out here.
Birmingham has immense potential and is home to various growth sectors such as in research and development and life sciences.
I won't accept anyone trashing our great city. I spoke to ITV Central about how proud I am to be a Brummie.
Local News
School visit
At a Q&A session with students from KES
It was lovely to attend a Question Time event with King Edwards High School today.
I always enjoy discussing politics and current affairs with young people. It was great to cover a variety of topics, including foreign policy, education, the NHS, housing, immigration and local issues.
Malcolm X Visit to Smethwick
This week marked the 60th anniversary of Malcom X’s visit to Smethwick, to show solidarity for black and Asian minority communities facing significant racism. This is the ward where I was elected as a councillor.
You can read more about his visit and the historical political landscape in this article from the Guardian, which features my late father, here.
West Midlands Business Festival
The West Midlands' biggest Business Festival has arrived. In less than a month, there will be more than 80 free events across 2 weeks, starting Monday, 3rd March 2025. You can find out more and book your place here.
Quinton Mast
I’m pleased that the council has refused the application for a 20m high telecommunications mast at the island junction with Dwellings Lane and Quinton Road West.
I objected to this mast, due to its proximity to Four Dwellings Academy, the lack of consultation and late notification. You can read my full letter below.
Edgbaston Stadium
At Edgbaston cricket stadium
It's great that the redevelopment of Edgbaston stadium, which I have been supporting, has been approved by the council.
The Priory and Raglan stands at Edgbaston will be replaced with a new 3,191-seat facility. A 146-bed hotel will also be opened on the site.
The stadium in my constituency is world-renowned. Supporting it to grow will bring more visitors, investment and jobs now and in the future. Read more here.
MHWC
Next Tuesday, 18th February, the MHWC will be visiting Westbury Road in North Edgbaston, B17 8JH. The centre will be open between 07:30 and 13:00, so please do come along if you have bulky household waste to dispose of.
Quinton PACT Meeting
On Friday 21st February, the Quinton neighbourhood police and community (PACT) meeting will take place between 6.30pm and 8pm at St Faith & St Laurence Church, B17 8RD. Please do come along if you have issued that you would like to raise with the police.
Best wishes,
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Preet Kaur Gill MP
Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne, North Edgbaston and Quinton
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