A New Deal for Working People
In opposition, Labour promised we would introduce a New Deal for Working People in our first 100 days. We did - and this week the Bill passed the House of Commons, delivering on our pro-business, pro-worker, pro-growth agenda.
The Employment Rights Bill ensures 1.3 million of the lowest paid people in our country will be eligible for sick pay for the first time, that fire and rehire is prevented and that workplace rights will be properly enforced.
It also means people on zero hours contracts will now be able to have a contract that reflects the regular number of hours they work - if that is what they want.
The Bill must now pass the Lords, but we are on the way to providing dignity, respect and security for everyone in the workplace. These measures will benefit the whole country, but particularly places like Birmingham.
I am extremely proud of the role I have been able to play in getting this legislation over the line, as PPS to the Secretary of State.
· Day one rights
· Strengthened parental leave
· Expanded sick pay
· Fire & rehire and exploitative zero-hours contracts banned
The biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation (and the Tories and Reform voted against it).
War in Ukraine
Earlier this week, we saw the welcome news than an agreement had been reached in Jeddah between President Trump and President Zelenskyy.
This was an important moment for peace in Ukraine, and as both the Americans and Ukrainians said, put the ball in Russia’s court.
It is very disappointing that Moscow has rejected the proposal. I am absolutely clear it is wrong for Russia to try to impose conditions on a ceasefire.
We must bring an end to this war in a just and permanent way that allows Ukraine to enjoy its freedom.
Read the Prime Minister's statement from earlier this week here.
Taking back our streets
This week I voted for the Crime and Policing Bill in Parliament - the biggest package of measures on crime and policing for decades, with 50 new laws to cut crime and make our streets safer.
After 14 years of Tories, we have seen an epidemic of antisocial behaviour, theft and shoplifting across Birmingham. Labour’s comprehensive set of new measures will tackle ASB, shop theft and street crime head on, giving the police and our communities new powers to take back town centres from thugs and thieves.
The Bill also includes measures to address the most serious violence and highest-harm offences such as knife crime, violence against women and girls, cybercrime, child sexual abuse, and terrorism.
Measures in the Bill will be backed up by the recruitment of 13,000 extra neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs, with a named, contactable officer in every community. Read more about the recent funding uplift for the West Midlands here.
Israeli-Palestinian Peace
This week I was pleased to take part in a debate on the merits of establishing an international fund for Israeli-Palestinian peace.
The last 18 months have been horrific, but with the announcement of a ceasefire earlier this year, there are glimmers of hope that we can bring this appalling conflict to an end. As I said during the debate, out of the rubble, we must vow to create the conditions for peace: a two-state solution, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and independent Palestine.
I spoke about the UK’s longstanding expertise in peacebuilding, particularly in Northern Ireland, can help us bring about change from the bottom up, as well as through top-down diplomacy.
We owe it to the people of Israel and Palestine.
Backing the builders
This week the government also published the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, a key part of our plans to unblock growth and build 1.5 million homes to tackle the housing crisis.
The Bill will see significant measures introduced to speed up planning decisions to boost housebuilding and remove unnecessary blockers and challenges to the delivery of vital developments like roads, railway lines and windfarms. This will boost economic growth, connectivity and energy security whilst also delivering for the environment.
Reshaping the state
Labour were elected on a promise of change, and the Prime Minister is delivering just that.
This week, he has taken the bold decision to abolish NHS England, the world’s biggest quango, to bring the management of the NHS back under democratic control.
As the Prime Minister said in his announcement: “the buck stops with politicians.”
Since the disastrous Lansley NHS reforms under the Tory-Lib Dem coalition a decade ago, our brilliant NHS staff have been set up to fail by a bureaucratic and fragmented system. It’s time to get more funds back to the frontline.
Defence Industrial Strategy
As part of our recent commitment to increase defence spending, the new government has pledged to publish a Defence Industrial Strategy to help ensure more defence spend is directed to British-based businesses, supporting British jobs.
As part of our commitment to raise defence spending to the highest level since the Cold War, the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary have announced that the Ministry of Defence will set new targets to increase the amount of defence spending directed to small and medium-sized businesses.
This can only be a good thing for jobs and SMEs in the West Midlands
Nearly 70% of defence spending goes to businesses outside London and the South East, bolstering local economies, with £1.6 billion spent in the West Midlands last year. Defence small and medium enterprises (SMEs) employ an estimated 17,820 jobs across our region.
However, under the Conservative Government only 4% of direct MOD spending went to SMEs last year – and SME spending was in decline, which is why the Labour Government is stepping up to provide more support to SMEs and help them get their foot in the door in the defence supply chain.
Read more here.
Funds for farmers
This week it was announced that the government has successfully allocated the sustainable farming incentive budget for 2024.
This Government inherited farming schemes which were underspent, meaning millions of pounds were not going to farming businesses. At the budget, the Government proudly secured the largest budget for sustainable food production in our country’s history, with £5 billion was committed in the farming budget over a two-year period.
As a result of the Government’s determination to get more farmers to participate, there is now a record 50,000 farm businesses and more than half of all farmed land is now managed under our schemes.
The largest of these schemes, SFI, now has more than 37,000 multi-year live agreements and is not only delivering sustainable food production and nature’s recovery for today and the years ahead, but it is also putting money back into farmers’ pockets.
Commonwealth Day
On Monday we celebrated Commonwealth Day.
The Commonwealth brings together 56 independent countries, and is home to 2.7 billion citizens.
Birmingham itself is a Commonwealth city, with citizens whose heritage stretches right across the globe.
As Chair of Labour Friends of the Commonwealth, I appreciated the opportunity to celebrate our unity, shared values and our commitment to peace, justice and sustainable development.
Local News
Bin strikes
My letter to the Council
This week I have heard from many residents about the state of waste collection services. Rubbish piling up in the street. Rats. Cockroaches.
I’m clear that this has become a public health crisis and I share residents’ frustrations about collections.
That is why I have written to the Council this week, and am now working with them to find a solution. In the meantime, advice on what to do if you’ve had a missed collection is available here.
I spoke to the BBC earlier this week. You can read more here.
Road Safety
In the past year, too many constituents have written to me about road safety, raising issues such as dangerous driving, off-road bikes and potholes.
This week I met with the Policy Director of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents to discuss how we can improve road safety nationally and here in Birmingham.
Reading for Pleasure
Study after study shows how important reading for pleasure is for a child's life chances.
That's why I was so pleased to learn that Harborne Academy in our constituency is taking part in the National Reading Champions Quiz, hosted by the Literacy Trust and ALCS. I wrote to wish them the best of luck!
West Midlands Multibank
This week I also welcomed that a multibank has been launched for the West Midlands.
This brilliant initiative, spearheaded by former Labour PM Gordon Brown, has brought together the Birmingham Voluntary Sector Council (BVSC) and Amazon to collect and distribute donations to families and children in need.
It aims to distribute 750,000 goods over the next 12 months to 75,000 families.
Read more here.
Local Iftar
Amidst a busy week, it was lovely to take some time out to join an Iftar along with the West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, hosted by my constituent Mr Ahmed in Edgbaston. Thank you for having us!
Quinton PACT
On 21 March, there is a police and community (PACT) meeting in Quinton between 7pm and 8pm, at St Faith and St Laurence Church, Balden Road and Croftdown Road, B17 8RD. This is a great opportunity to raise any issues you might have with the local 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