Weekly Update - 22 November

Dear John

Get Britain Working

This week, Labour unveiled the biggest employment reforms in a generation to get Britain working again. Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, published the Great Britian Working White Paper, marking the Government’s first major intervention to achieve an ambitious 80 per cent employment rate. The measures announced in the White Paper, backed by £240 million investment, will deliver growth and create good jobs across Britian. We will transform Jobcentres and make sure every young person has access to an apprenticeship, quality training and education opportunities. We will rebuild the NHS so people can get back to work and expand mental health support. Find out more, and access the White Paper, here.

Tobacco and Vapes Bill

This week, I voted for the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will introduce a world-leading smoking ban to save a generation from a life imprisoned by addiction. The Bill also aims to tackle the sale of nicotine products “deliberately targeted at children.” It would see a total ban on vape advertising and prevent anyone born after 2009 from buying tobacco legally. Find out more about the historic Bill here. Just this week, a shop in our city was raided and found to be illegally selling vapes 30 times over the legal limit. The government is taking stronger measures to protect our children from youth vaping. More in a Birmingham Live article here. I have supported this Bill from the beginning. You can watch my speech from April here:

Spiking

This week, the Prime Minister announced that he will make spiking a new, specific criminal offence. This will send a clear signal that spiking is a crime, and perpetrators should feel the full force of the law, empowering victims to report offences and giving them confidence the justice system will support them. The Prime Minister also demanded coordinated action across the police, transport network and venues to stamp out this cowardly act and take back our streets. This will include training thousands of staff working in the nighttime economy on how to spot and tackle spiking. Find out more here. For years, I’ve been campaigning for stronger protections for women, as everyone should be able to feel safe when they go out at night. I welcome the Government’s commitment to crack down on spiking as part of their mission to stop women from being targeted.

Domestic Abuse

It’s unacceptable that an estimated 2.3 million people in England and Wales are believed to have experienced domestic abuse in the last year. This Labour government is introducing new New Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPO) to ensure more victims receive the protection and support they deserve. Find out more now.

Breakfast Clubs

The government is committed to offering free breakfast clubs in every primary school in England. Breakfast clubs support children’s attendance and attainment, enabling them to thrive academically and socially. Primary schools can sign up here.

Gambling

Gambling addiction ruins lives. It's only right that those who are profiting from gambling are helping to tackle its addiction. This Labour government is strengthening gambling harm legislation, bringing forward a statutory levy and online slot stake limits of £5 for over 25s and £2 for young adults aged 18 to 24. Gambling businesses will now pay £100 million towards the research preventions and treatment of gambling harms.

Employment Rights Bill

This week, the Employment Rights Bill committee has commenced evidence sessions. As a member of the committee, I have been listening to evidence and hearing about how our historic legislation will make work pay and deliver growth across the UK. Find out more about how Labour’s plans to introduce new workplace rights to end unfair employment practices and grow the economy will affect you here.

Assisted Dying

This week, after much consideration and consultation with my constituents, I voted against the assisted dying bill in Parliament. This decision is informed by my experience as a children’s services manager, my personal beliefs and concerns about insufficient safeguards. You can read my full letter detailing my position here. I spoke to BBC Radio 4 about my position on assisted dying and my relationship between faith and politics. You can listen to the full episode here.

Co-operative Party

As Chair of the Co-operative Parliamentary Party I, along with Co-operative MPs, wrote to the Chancellor Rachel Reeves to thank her for her support of the co-operative sector. We work with Labour to share the co-operative movement’s priorities and, now in Government, we’re working to deliver a fairer and stronger economy for our communities. You can read my full letter here.

Gurpurab Event

It was wonderful to attend a brilliant Gurpurab event in Parliament hosted by the APPG for British Sikhs. It was a unique opportunity to share the message of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, on truthful living. Sikhs pray for the betterment of all by living a life devoted to selfless service.

Darts Championship

It was great to meet Fallon Sherrock at the Westminster Darts Championship hosted by James Frith MP with Prostate Cancer UK and Paddy Power. 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer in their lives. The risk increases with age and is higher for black men. It can be curable if detected and treated early, so I urge men in my constituency to get checked.

Innocent Drop-in

It’s not right that two-thirds of the UK population still aren’t consuming enough fruit and veg. It was great to meet Innocent Smoothies in Parliament and to hear about all the work they are doing with early years settings and low-income families to access rose vouchers for fruit and veg.

Carers

I will always champion carers and providers, who do so much brilliant work to provide care in our communities. It was great to meet with carers in Parliament to discuss the challenges they face on a day to day basis.

Local News Rotton Park Road Shooting

I know many of my constituents will be concerned after the fatal shooting on Rotton Park Road at the junction of City Road over the weekend. Another man also remains in hospital and is said to be in a stable condition. I’m urging anyone with any information, dashcam or mobile phone footage that might be relevant to contact West Midlands Police via the Online Portal or by calling 101 or Live Chat, quoting log 5228 of 22 November. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Free Buses

From 7pm on 9th to 13th December, you can hop on any bus in the West Midlands for free. This will make it easier to enjoy the season all while showing how great our bus network can be. Harborne Day Centre This week, I wrote to Cllr Rob Pocock and Council Leader John Cotton to repeat my call for the preservation of Harborne Day Centre. In my letter, I requested a meeting with relevant partners to explore other models of delivery in order to maintain the centre. I have also suggested seeking trailblazer status, which would unlock government support.

Best wishes,

Preet Kaur Gill MP Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne, North Edgbaston and Quinton Promoted by David Evans on behalf of the Labour Party, 20 Rushworth Street, London SE1 0SS

Click on the link below to open the message in a browser:
[link removed]

You've received this email because you are a subscriber of this site.
[link removed]

If you feel you received it by mistake or wish to unsubscribe, please click here.
[link removed]