I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and as we look back on 2022 and ahead to 2023, I want to give you an update on the some of the work I have been doing as your Member of Parliament for Birmingham Northfield, covering Allens Cross, Frankley, Kings Norton, Longbridge, Northfield, Rubery, Rednal and Weoley.
In January, 2022 I spoke up for support for residents in the House of Commons on a debate on household bills highlighting how the “debate is very important, because we can all see that there is a problem coming down the line with the cost of living”.
Discussing the need for making sure those who need the help the most I highlighted “we should target our approach at the people who are most vulnerable up and down the country in constituencies such as mine”.
I also highlighted the support that the Government had announced upto that point that benefited local residents saying “I see it in my constituency and in my city of Birmingham: the £500 million household support fund that the Government have put together gives £12.7 million to Birmingham to help the most vulnerable people with clothing bills, food and utilities. The fund will help 3 million to 4 million people across the country, including 75,000 to 80,000 people in Birmingham, with support targeted at the people who need it most”.
In January we also celebrated the local campaign success as the Government announced they will open a new Job Centre near the three estates in Kings Norton.
In February I paid tribute to the sad passing of fellow Birmingham MP Jack Dromey (Lab, Birmingham Erdington). While Jack and I were on different political sides he was a good man who fought passionately.
I also discussed the work taking place to regenerate Longbridge after the previous Governments broken promises at the time the old Rover factory collapsed and continued my campaign for funding to regenerate Northfield High Street as part of the levelling up agenda. This was followed up with me taking the Secretary of State for Levelling Up around the Longbridge site.
While in March we secured from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) a £6 million investment package to kick start redevelopment work at the former West Works site in Longbridge.
In April I raised the need to tackle the global migration challenge to reduce the reliance of hotel accommodation and number of illegal boat crossings in the channel.
In May I spoke in a debate about Making Britain the best plat to grow up and grow old in. I spoke about the need to ban conversion therapy in this Country.
I also praised our many excellent teachers here in Northfield Constituency saying “Let me move on to education. I am pleased that 82% of young people in my constituency are now in schools that are good or outstanding. When I visit so many of my local schools—especially Balaam Wood; King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls, which used to be called Turves Green Girls’ School; Turves Green Boys’ School; Colmers Farm Primary School; and Hawkesley Church Primary Academy—I am always amazed by the dedication and commitment of so many of the teachers and by the young people, who have so much commitment to learning. I am also really pleased that the Edge Academy has been shortlisted for an award for its support for young people in that school right at the heart of Northfield.”
In June I was honoured to join veterans in Weoley Castle and Bartley Green for the Birmingham Armed Forces Day celebration. We owe so much to those who have fought for our country through the years so we may all be free.
In July I helped campaign for the Great British Railways HQ to be built in Birmingham, joining cross party with other MP’s from the City and the Council. I also joined local posties on one of their routes to discuss the ever evolving roles of staff in the Royal Mail.
The end of July saw the excellent Birmingham Commonwealth Games take place in our City. Thank you to all the volunteers, particular those from Northfield Constituency, the huge efforts of the volunteers was part of why the Games were so successful.
August saw us launching our latest campaign to protect valuable green spaces in our area, when the City Council announced they wanted to build 70 houses on the recreation ground off Boleyn Road. Thank you to everyone who has signed our petition opposing this, the campaign continues with the planning application not due to be decided by the Council until early 2023.
In September we were all rocked by the sad news that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had passed away. Our longest serving Monarch gave our Country a life of service to us all. We will all have been impacted by her tragic passing in different ways, but none of us were alone as we shed our tears for the passing of the Queen Elizabeth II as we were all united in our grief for the nations and commonwealths’ loss. Thank you Maam for all you did for our great nation.
October saw me launch our Save our local buses Petition (27 / 76, 46 / 48, 38 / 42 bus services) in response to the news National Express were carrying out a review of these services.
October also saw us fighting to try and save the Weoley Castle Lloyds Bank branch. A massive thank you to the 100’s of people who signed our petition. We continue to campaign for the Council to create local banking hubs, like other Councils do, which allow branches of multiple banks to be housed in the same building to increase access.
In November I spoke in the House of Commons as part of my campaign to keep the triple lock pension. Northfield Constituency has the 96th highest number of elderly residents living in poverty. Therefore for many pensioners in Northfield the state pension is vital, this is why I have been clear that the triple lock must remain and why I have been campaigning to ensure that the new budget retains the triple lock protection to ensure the state pension keeps up with inflation. A campaign that has now been successful.
I also raised the work of Northfield Town football club, who have ambitious plans for a new all-weather football pitch and female facilities for changing rooms and toilets. Asking the Minister to support Northfield Town football club to make the new facilities a reality.
During November and December, it has been a real honour to visit and support so many wonderful Christmas events put on by residents across our area. All through the year residents have done our home proud with the dozens of amazing community events they have put on and I would like to thank everyone who helped organise or support these events during the year. This local community spirit is exactly why our home is such an amazing place to live, work and shop.
My office has been incredibly busy helping thousands of people across Birmingham Northfield this year with individual problems and enquiries. In the last year alone we have dealt with over 7500 cases and 15000 emails. Assisting local people is something I take great pride in but it is not something I do alone, so I wanted to take this opportunity to thank my staff who again this year have gone above and beyond during the pandemic to allow me to keep fighting hard on behalf of residents. As ever, we are here to assist all residents of Birmingham Northfield, so please do not hesitate to get in touch.
I ask everyone to keep safe this Christmas and enjoy the festive season and wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.
