Preet Kaur Gill
MP for Birmingham Edgbaston
Labour (Co-op)
8 Jun 2017 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Through the Pride in Place initiative, the Government are helping residents to restore the Woodgate Valley café and so much more. What is the Prime Minister's message to my constituents about how politics can be a force for good?
Context
Communities like Bartley Green faced long-term austerity, impacting local services. The Pride in Place initiative aims to support community-driven projects.
Keir Starmer
My message is that I have always believed that those with skin in the game make the best decisions about their communities. Together, we can make that happen. Hope in Britain is found in our communities. That is why we are investing so heavily in our Pride in Place initiative.
Assessment
No specific investment details were provided.
Session: PMQs
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I was baffled on Monday when, given the chance to support legislation, backed by the National Crime Agency, to crack down on criminal smuggler gangs and secure our borders, Conservative and Reform Members linked arms in the voting Lobby to vote against it. The Conservatives spent three years and £700 million on their ludicrous Rwanda scheme, and saw four volunteers returned. Does the Prime Minister agree that there is only one party that is serious about repairing our broken immigration system?
Context
The Conservatives voted against the borders Bill that includes measures backed by the National Crime Agency to combat small boat crossings and protect lives at sea.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
Yes, and let me remind Reform and the Tories what they voted against earlier this week in our borders Bill. They voted against making it an offence to organise the buying, selling and transport of small boats, against making it an offence to endanger lives at sea, and against powers to arrest suspected people smugglers before the smuggling takes place. They voted against. They voted for open borders—both of them.
Assessment
The PM did not confirm agreement with Preet Kaur Gill but highlighted what they voted against in the borders Bill.
Highlighted What They Voted Against
Session: PMQs
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While 64,000 people are on the waiting list for a council house in the west midlands, families are living in hotels, cold and damp homes and mouldy flats. The Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, has built 46 social homes in eight years. Does the Prime Minister think that that is good enough?
Context
Families are living in hotels and substandard housing due to long waiting lists for social housing, with 64,000 people on such a list in the west midlands.
Rishi Sunak
Andy Street is absolutely delivering for the west midlands. Unlike the Labour Mayor in London, he has delivered on all his housing targets. It is the Labour-run council in Birmingham that is imposing on the hon. Lady's constituents and others a 21% council tax rise, and what are they getting in exchange? Six hundred job losses and cuts to services. On some streets, they are even turning off the lights. What Labour has done to Birmingham the Conservatives will never let it do to Britain.
Assessment
The Prime Minister did not address Andy Street's record but instead compared him favourably to other Labour mayors and criticized their policies.
Criticized Opposition
Session: PMQs
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After 14 years of Conservative austerity, many communities like mine have seen the assets that matter most to them hollowed out. I welcome the Government's community right to buy, because putting local people in control of local assets is simply common sense. In my constituency, Woodgate and Bartley Green will receive £20 million through Pride in Place funding over the next decade thanks to this Government. Does the Minister agree that tackling barriers such as access to finance will help communities to take ownership of local assets and rebuild neighbourhoods?
Context
Communities have seen assets hollowed out due to 14 years of Conservative austerity. Woodgate and Bartley Green will receive £20 million through Pride in Place funding over the next decade.
James Murray
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Pride in Place funding can be used for communities to take ownership of and support local assets, from youth centres to libraries and cultural venues. I am very glad to hear that the funding will make such a positive difference to her constituents in Woodgate and Bartley Green, and I am proud that this Government are putting people in control of what happens in their local area.
Session: Community Ownership
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After 14 years of Conservative austerity, many communities like mine have seen the assets that matter most to them hollowed out. I welcome the Government's community right to buy, because putting local people in control of local assets is simply common sense. In my constituency, Woodgate and Bartley Green will receive £20 million through Pride in Place funding over the next decade thanks to this Government. Does the Minister agree that tackling barriers such as access to finance will help communities to take ownership of local assets and rebuild neighbourhoods?
Context
Communities have seen assets hollowed out due to 14 years of Conservative austerity. Woodgate and Bartley Green will receive £20 million through Pride in Place funding over the next decade.
James Murray
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Pride in Place funding can be used for communities to take ownership of and support local assets, from youth centres to libraries and cultural venues. I am very glad to hear that the funding will make such a positive difference to her constituents in Woodgate and Bartley Green, and I am proud that this Government are putting people in control of what happens in their local area.
Session: Community Ownership
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My constituents are fed up with seeing more and more dodgy Bob Shops on Hagley Road, Harborne and neighbouring Bearwood High Street. Can the Chancellor say what the Government are doing to tackle money laundering and other financial crimes involving the dodgy shops blighting our high streets?
Context
The MP noted concerns about counterfeit goods and financial crimes in her constituency, affecting Hagley Road, Harborne, and Bearwood High Street. She referenced the impact on local businesses and communities.
Rachel Reeves
I could not agree more with my hon. Friend, and that is why I announced—on the basis of many representations from colleagues, including her—a comprehensive set of measures at the Budget to crack down on illegal high street activity. We want our high streets to thrive, but we must crack down on these illegal businesses selling counterfeit goods and often harbouring more dangerous criminal activity.
Session: Topical Questions
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At the last general election, the Government promised to deliver 6,000 more GPs by 2024-25, but there are still 2,000 fewer GPs than in 2015. What does the Minister say after scrapping two GP retention schemes last month? Will she come clean today about another broken manifesto promise?
Context
The MP notes that despite Government promises, there are still fewer GPs than in 2015, with morale issues impacting retention.
Andrea Leadsom
The hon. Lady is choosing numbers out of the air. There are almost 3,000 more GPs now than in 2019, and importantly the long-term workforce plan is scheduled to introduce 6,000 new training places by 2031-32. In 2022, we had the greatest number ever of new trainee GPs.
Session: GP Retention
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Today, we have seen alarming figures pointing to the systematic de-prioritisation of women's health, with 600,000 women in England waiting for gynaecological treatment, 33,000 women waiting more than a year, and under two thirds of eligible women screened for breast cancer in the last three years. Will the Secretary of State come clean and admit that under this Government, women's health has become an afterthought?
Context
Today's figures show that more than 600,000 women in England are waiting for gynaecological treatment and under two thirds of eligible women have been screened for breast cancer over the past three years.
Victoria Atkins
That is absolute nonsense. As I say, I have prioritised women's health. I am pretty sure that I invited the hon. Lady to the women's health summit earlier this year.
Session: Women’s Healthcare
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What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of steps taken by his Department to tackle transnational repression by hostile states.
Context
Concerns about foreign states silencing dissent in democracies, specifically targeting Sikh activists in the UK.
Thomas Tugendhat
I thank the hon. Lady for her question. She is aware that the Government are continually assessing the potential threats to individual rights and freedoms and to safety across the United Kingdom. Whenever we identify such threats, we will always use every measure at our disposal, including our intelligence services, to mitigate any threat to individuals. The National Security Act 2023 includes measures to tackle foreign interference, including transnational repression.
Session: Transnational Repression by Hostile States
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Transnational repression to silence dissent in democracies is extremely serious. In recent months, Five Eyes nations have raised concerns about the actions of agents with links to India targeting Sikh activists in the United Kingdom. Most disturbingly, there have been alleged assassinations and foiled assassination plots. The US and Canadian authorities have taken the lead at senior levels to publicly call out this challenge to their sovereignty, the rule of law and their democratic values. Given the reports of British Sikhs facing similar threats, what steps are the Government taking to secure their safety? Will the Minister show the same strength as our partners do in publicly defending their democratic rights?
Context
The question arises from concerns about foreign states silencing dissent in democracies, specifically targeting Sikh activists in the UK.
Thomas Tugendhat
Let me be completely clear: if there are any specific threats against any British citizen by any foreign power, we will take immediate action. The Sikh community should be as safe as every other community in the United Kingdom. All British citizens are equal, whatever their colour, creed, faith or political allegiance. The reality is that we have taken all the action we believe is appropriate at this stage.
Session: Transnational Repression by Hostile States
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Whether he has had recent discussions with his international counterparts on a strategy to reduce debt in the developing world. The main mechanism to tackle the debt crisis, the common framework for debt treatment, is failing due to the low level of participation by private creditors who own around 40% of low-income country debt. Does the Minister agree that there is strategic need for the United Kingdom to take debt reduction seriously and change its approach, given the crisis in Africa and the growing role of China and Russia in the developing world?
Context
The question stems from concerns over the effectiveness of current strategies to reduce debt in developing nations, particularly noting low participation by private creditors.
Andrew Mitchell
The hon. Lady is right to point to the considerable difficulties that countries are finding. Some 15% of low-income countries are in debt distress, and 45% are at higher risk of that. The African Development Bank says that debt repayments in 2024 are likely to be six times the level of 2021. That is why Britain is working with other creditors to secure debt restructurings, most often through the G20 common framework, but also through the Paris Club.
Session: Debt Reduction in the Developing World
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What progress she has made on introducing a dentistry recovery plan?
Context
Government promised to introduce a dental recovery plan but has delayed it multiple times. Dentists in York are refusing NHS contracts.
Andrea Leadsom
I am determined to ensure that everybody who needs NHS dental care can receive it. We have already implemented reforms with 1.7 million more adults being seen and a 23% increase in NHS activity over the past year.
Session: Accessibility to Dental Services
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This week, the Science and Technology Committee has been in Brussels listening to how the EU is progressing with its regulation of AI. Despite the commitment to introducing legislation in the White Paper, it was not included in the King's Speech. Why not?
Context
The Science and Technology Committee has been in Brussels listening to how the EU is progressing with its regulation of AI, yet no legislation was included in the King's Speech despite a commitment.
Saqib Bhatti
The Government have been clear that we will take a contextual and proportionate response. We need first to understand the risks involved before adapting accordingly.
Session: AI Regulation
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What steps are the Government taking to regulate AI? This weekend I was disturbed by news of a deepfake audio of Sadiq Khan circulating online, clearly manufactured to whip up hate and disinformation. That is cause for grave concern for elected representatives. With elections next year, does the Minister recognise the urgent need for binding, not voluntary, regulation of frontier AI?
Context
Concerns over the misuse and potential risks associated with artificial intelligence technology.
Saqib Bhatti
I share those concerns and have been following the news. We are working with media organisations and online platforms, and looking at this closely with the defending democracy taskforce.
Session: AI Regulation
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More than 29 million people across Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan are now experiencing catastrophic hunger levels following a fifth failed rainy season in a row. It is also the fourth year in a row that this Government have cut aid to those countries. Oxfam has estimated that one person is likely to die of hunger every 28 seconds between now and July. Can the Minister please explain how he is restoring Britain's leadership in international development while decimating our support to some of the very poorest people on earth?
Context
Over 29 million people across Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan are experiencing catastrophic hunger levels following a fifth failed rainy season. Oxfam estimates one person dying of hunger every 28 seconds.
Andrew Mitchell
First, let me say that British leadership has been exercised at the two big conferences that took place in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. British expertise and technical know-how is ensuring greater resilience and adaptation spend to drive up the ability to survive these crises when they take place next. If I may say so, the hon. Member must not diminish the extraordinary support and leadership that Britain is giving across the horn of Africa. The figures we have announced are preliminary figures, as I have said. We will react to the crisis—that is one of the things we are able to do—and those figures take no account of the tremendous support that British taxpayers are giving through the multilateral system.
Session: Hunger East Africa
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Last week, the Minister said: “A time when crises are everywhere, but leadership is not. When we can save a bank in California in three days, but Zambia waits more than two years for debt relief.” I agree. However, the Minister knows that 90% of international bonds owed by countries eligible for the common framework are governed by English law, so what leadership is he demonstrating to ensure vulture funds cannot block debt-restructuring processes by simply refusing to come to the table?
Context
The question builds on a previous statement by the Minister about leadership being lacking in addressing debt relief for countries like Zambia. The questioner highlights that 90% of international bonds owed by eligible countries are governed by English law.
Andrew Mitchell
The hon. Lady makes a very good point. I am flattered that she has read the speech I gave at Chatham House last Thursday. We are extremely concerned about the use of vulture funds, and Britain has been the lead country in trying to clamp down on them. I assure her that we will continue with that work.
Session: Africa Sovereign Debt
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Can the Minister update the House on what progress has been made towards our G7 presidency pledge to get 40 million more girls into school? Can he explain how that squares with the Government's decision to cut the FCDO's education, gender and equality budget in half last year?
Context
The UK pledged during its G7 presidency to get 40 million more girls into school by the middle of this century, but there are concerns over budget cuts impacting progress.
Andrew Mitchell
We are looking at the budgets for the next financial year, and indeed the year after, and we will come to the House and set out what they are. However, the hon. Lady should be in no doubt that this is a top priority.
Session: Girls’ Access to Education
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Surely now is the time to reinstate the 0.7% aid allocation because these events will increase going forward. Will you carry this forward?
Context
The climate crisis is worsening, with Nigeria facing severe floods and displacement. The UK's aid budget may need to be increased.
Andrew Mitchell
The hon Gentleman makes sense on these matters and I hope there will be encouraging news in the autumn statement.
Session: Nigeria Flood Relief
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Across Keighley and Ilkley, there is no shortage of good will to help those who are affected by the conflict in Ukraine—including from Ilkley and Surrounds Support for Ukrainian Evacuees, a volunteer group led by Caroline Hyde that is working to help those seeking refuge within our community. Of course, that is dependent on the Government working with our European counterparts to ensure the safe passage of refugees from Ukraine. What discussions has the Foreign Secretary had with her counterparts to make sure that that happens?
Context
Across Keighley and Ilkley, there is no shortage of goodwill to help those affected by the conflict in Ukraine, including a volunteer group led by Caroline Hyde working to help refugees within the community. This requires coordination with European counterparts for safe passage.
Elizabeth Truss (Foreign Secretary)
I congratulate my hon. Friend on the fantastic work that he is doing with the local community in Keighley and Ilkley. We are seeing people across Britain really contributing to the effort to support the people of Ukraine. We have now issued more than 70,000 visas to Ukrainians. We are working with Foreign Ministers right across Europe to ensure that we are completely co-ordinated, particularly with those Governments that are close by, like the Poles.
Session: Topical Questions
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Hundreds of thousands of women are at Ukraine's borders, traumatised children in their arms, fleeing Putin's bloody war. Families have been separated, homes destroyed, and cities cut off from essential services. This is an unprecedented humanitarian crisis with over two million refugees already displaced and millions more expected to flee. How much of the £220 million announced for aid has actually reached Ukraine or those who have fled? Will the Minister provide a monthly breakdown of pledges versus disbursements?
Context
On International Women's Day, over two million Ukrainian refugees have fled the country due to Putin's unprovoked war. The situation is rapidly evolving with families separated and cities cut off from basic services.
James Cleverly
The situation is rapidly evolving. We have announced significant humanitarian support, the largest in the world at this stage. We are more than happy to keep the House up to date with the disbursal of that humanitarian aid through normal means.
Session: Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis
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The situation facing millions of Afghans right now is unimaginable—starving families lining up for food; parents selling their babies and handing teenage daughters to the Taliban for cash; a mother so desperate that she sold her kidney and two of her daughters. Yet amid this horror the UK Government slashed the overseas aid budget, actually cut their support for Afghanistan from 2019 levels and, with only two months to go, disbursed only half of the humanitarian aid and assistance they promised. With 5 million children now on the brink of famine, will the Government show leadership by releasing the remainder of the pledge and taking the action proposed by the UN, Save the Children and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown by convening a humanitarian pledging conference to raise the £5 billion needed? Failure to act will cost more lives.
Context
Millions of Afghans are facing severe famine, with parents selling babies and teenage daughters to the Taliban for cash. The UK government has reduced overseas aid and only disbursed half of the pledged humanitarian assistance.
James Cleverly
I remind the hon. Lady that the £286 million that we have allocated to Afghanistan was put in place in the autumn, and we are still ensuring that the money is distributed. She made the important point that doing so quickly can sometimes come at the cost of doing so carefully. We want to ensure that our money reaches the people who are in need and is not diverted to support the Taliban regime.
Session: Afghanistan Humanitarian Situation
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The Government promised that they would not abandon the Afghan people, yet millions are teetering on the edge of famine, with winter fast approaching. Will the Minister stop with the meaningless pledges and start with meaningful action? She will have seen the harrowing report from John Simpson and the powerful words of David Beasley, from the World Food Programme, who said: “imagine that this was your little girl or your little boy, or your grandchild about to starve to death…We let any child die from hunger. Shame on us. I don't care where that child is.” A failure to act is a betrayal of those people. So will the funds be disbursed to save lives in Afghanistan today?
Context
Afghanistan faces a severe food security crisis with millions teetering on the edge of famine.
Amanda Milling
Afghanistan faces one of the largest food security crises in the world. We are aware that the crisis is approaching levels where there is severe, acute malnutrition, which is why we have doubled UK aid for Afghanistan to £286 million this year. In addition, between April and November this year we have disbursed more than £55 million, including life-saving humanitarian support for emergency food, health, nutrition, shelter and water sanitation. We are providing a lot of support.
Session: Topical Questions
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How many surplus vaccines will the UK have by end of 2021? Why refuse speeding up donation process to other countries? Will ensure airlifting vaccines immediately?
Context
Government criticized for blocking international agreements to increase vaccine supply, donating only a fraction of promised doses, stockpiling vaccines, and slashing programmes tracking new variants.
Vicky Ford
Not only did we set up COVAX, but we are one of its largest donors with £548 million commitment. We have committed to donating 100 million doses as part of G7's 870 million by 2022. Helping countries set up vaccine manufacturing.
Session: Covid-19 Vaccines Low-income Countries
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I welcome the Secretary of State to her place. Yesterday, it emerged that the Prime Minister's pleading at the G7 and the United Nations to deliver £100 billion of climate finance has failed. With that, we had another example of the waning global influence of this Government in retreat. I had hoped that the new Foreign and Development Secretary would have put a stop to that, but her first act was to sign off on savage aid cuts to climate programmes and climate-vulnerable countries, disproportionately impacting women and girls, weeks before the most important climate summit of our lifetime. Does the Secretary of State agree that cuts to programmes such as the green economic growth initiative to preserve Papua's 90% forest cover, and cuts to the aid budget, have actively undermined the UK's ability to deliver not only at the conference of the parties, but on the world stage, exposing global Britain as little more than a slogan?
Context
Cuts to the aid budget and climate programmes have impacted global influence ahead of COP26.
Elizabeth Truss
I do not agree with the hon. Lady's analysis at all. We are making very positive progress on COP26; only this morning, we heard Australia's announcement about its commitment to net zero. I am looking forward to attending COP in Glasgow next week and presenting a very ambitious finance package. Only a few weeks ago, when we were in the United States, we saw it commit to over £11 billion of climate finance. There are trillions available in the private sector that we will be unlocking to deal with the climate crisis.
Session: Topical Questions
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Less than 1% of sub-Saharan Africa has been fully vaccinated. How many lives have and will be lost as a result of these cuts?
Context
The question addresses the criticism regarding the reduction in UK's aid budget and its impact on global vaccination efforts.
Dominic Raab
What I would say to the hon. Lady is that Labour promised it would hit 0.7% in 1974. That was the year in which I was born. Labour has never once hit 0.7%. It only twice hit 0.5%, so we will take no lectures from the Labour party when we are the third biggest G7 donor when it comes to aid.
Session: Covid-19 Vaccines Global Distribution
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Covax aimed to deliver 2 billion doses globally, but less than 5% have been shipped. With global vaccine shortages and inequitable access, does the Secretary of State agree that cutting aid made it harder for the PM to lead on vaccine strategy at G7?
Context
COVAX aimed to deliver 2 billion doses globally by the end of 2021, but only a small fraction has been shipped. The UK cut its aid budget while other countries increased theirs.
Dominic Raab
The hon. Lady is mistaken; the G7 agreed 100 million doses by mid-next year, adding to the 1 billion already secured through COVAX, thus accelerating global vaccination.
Session: Aid Budget Reduction Humanitarian Impact
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Will the Foreign Secretary face up to his decision on cuts to the aid budget, make a statement to the House on spending plans for 2021, and put these cuts to a vote?
Context
The UK's decision to cut its aid budget is seen as weakening the ability to address global challenges like climate change, poverty, and health. The MP requests a statement on spending plans for 2021.
James Duddridge
The Foreign Secretary is attending the International Development Committee on Thursday, which will allow for a forensic examination of everything that he says, but we are here at the Dispatch Box answering questions. I myself am answering seven or eight questions. Far from running away, we are engaging in this debate.
Session: Climate Change International Co-operation and the Global South
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Will the Foreign Secretary immediately publish all the details of the cuts made in 2020 and those projected for 2021? Will he explain his priorities?
Context
The UK is the only G7 nation to cut aid. The US and France have increased their support for the world's poorest.
Dominic Raab
Allocations are published formally in the normal way. The new UK aid pledge of £87 million will feed an additional 240,000 vulnerable Yemenis every month, support 400 health clinics and provide clean water for 1.6 million people.
Session: Girls’ Education Covid-19
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Does the Foreign Secretary agree that his Government's actions have shown our allies and detractors that his word cannot be trusted?
Context
UK cut funding to Yemen by 60%, despite previous commitment to prioritizing humanitarian crises.
Dominic Raab
The UK has been between the third and fifth highest donors into Yemen over the last five years. We have provided more than £1 billion of funding since the conflict began, supporting efforts to find peace there.
Session: Girls’ Education Covid-19
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We have an opportunity to save lives and livelihoods by cooperating with other countries. However, the Government's lack of transparency undermines this effort. Will the UK fulfil the WHO's request from yesterday to make public all bilateral contracts on volumes, pricing, delivery dates for covid-19 vaccines?
Context
The question is raised due to concerns over transparency and accountability from the Government. The World Health Organisation has requested all bilateral contracts for covid-19 vaccines be made public.
Wendy Morton
We are at the forefront of multilateral efforts on equitable global access. We contributed to CEPI early in the pandemic and to FIND, Gavi, and the COVAX AMC. This is about helping the world's poorest. We also flexed normal aid work to support countries suffering from secondary impacts.
Session: Covid-19 Vaccine Access
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Our existing 0.7% aid commitment sends a strong signal that the UK is a reliable partner for long-term economic, social, environmental and educational advancement across the globe, and this is cheaper than fighting wars—not my words but those of the CBI and the former Chief of the Defence Staff, General Lord David Richards. Does the Secretary of State agree that rowing back on our promise to the world's poorest people would jeopardise our soft power status ahead of the year when the UK will host the G7 and COP26, and will he recommit to his manifesto pledge, made exactly a year ago today, to spend 0.7% of GNI on aid?
Context
The MP is questioning the UK's decision regarding its 0.7% aid commitment and its impact on soft power status.
Dominic Raab
ODA and our aid budget will remain at the absolute centre of the work we do as a force for good. I am afraid that we will have to wait for the spending review to hear what the Chancellor has to say on that.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Prime Minister spoke about his manifesto commitment that every child should have the best possible chance to have an education. Yet development spending on primary education has been cut by more than 27% this year, which is evidence of a Government without a strategic direction who cannot be trusted to deliver on their rhetoric. Will the Minister tell us whether the Prime Minister is aware that the Foreign Secretary is cancelling and postponing programmes that would enable girls to have a safe education, such as the one investing in adolescent girls in Rwanda?
Context
Development spending on primary education has been cut by more than 27% this year, raising concerns about the government's commitment to its manifesto pledge for every child to have the best possible chance at an education.
Wendy Morton (Minister for Africa, Middle East and the United Nations)
The UK is a world leader in both our educational expertise and our development spend. During the official development assistance prioritisation process difficult but necessary decisions were made to meet our 0.7% ODA commitment. The process has ensured continued support and commitment to ODA priorities, including girls' education. On Rwanda, tough decisions have been taken, yet schools and education spending are protected across the world. We continue to support women and girls in Rwanda for a decent education, with expected spend totalling approximately £13.6 million.
Session: Education for Girls
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To avoid scrutiny, the Secretary of State snuck out cuts of £2.9 billion from the aid budget on the day Parliament rose for the summer recess. That is around 20% of the aid budget, despite the fact that projections of an economic downturn suggested a required fall of something closer to 9%. Can the Secretary of State tell us where those cuts will come from, and how the Government will ensure that they tackle poverty and the climate crisis and deliver value for money for the British people? Will he today commit to ending the use of UK aid and investment to fund fossil fuel projects in the global south?
Context
The UK government cut the aid budget by £2.9 billion, around 20% of the total.
James Duddridge
The Government take our responsibilities very seriously. I remind the hon. Lady that we have delivered on 0.7%, but that does mean that the budget goes down as GDP goes down. In our prioritisation process, we have looked at a number of things to protect, including, in particular, the vulnerable, the bottom billion, climate, girls' education and using Britain as a force for good overall. The details of that will be presented to the House in due course.
Session: Climate Change International Co-operation
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Does the Secretary of State think it is fair for wealthy nations to secure vaccines before developing countries?
Context
AstraZeneca has guaranteed the UK and US early vaccine doses, while poorer countries will receive them later. Preet Kaur Gill questions if this is equitable access.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan (Secretary of State for International Development)
AstraZeneca has committed 300 million doses to low and middle-income countries if the Oxford vaccine is successful. The UK taxpayer's commitment through aid funding supports this work, ensuring equitable access via organisations like Gavi that vaccinate nearly half of the world's children and negotiate lower prices for vaccines.
Session: Covid-19 Vaccine Developing Countries
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During the coronavirus pandemic, it is imperative that countries and communities engage co-operatively. What representations have been made regarding ending US funding to the World Health Organisation?
Context
The US President announced an end to funding for WHO, which raises concerns about a collaborative approach to dealing with shortages of medical equipment.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan (The Secretary of State for International Development)
The UK has confidence in the WHO and supports its work by providing funding to ensure that countries most in need have the PPE they require.
Session: Covid-19 Developing Countries
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Will the emergency legislation include specific proposals to remove the lower earnings limit of £118 per week in order to provide access to statutory sick pay for 1.8 million low-paid workers?
Context
The shadow Health Secretary asked an urgent question about emergency legislation for tackling coronavirus, focusing on statutory sick pay.
Matthew Hancock
I can confirm that we will ensure that whatever the status of people working across the economy, whether they are self-employed or employed but working fewer than the set number of hours a week, they will get the support that means they are not penalised for doing the right thing.
Session: Topical Questions
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Public Body Data Collection: Sikh and Jewish Ethnicity
11 March 2026
Responding: Satvir Kaur
Main Concerns
['For more than 40 years, Sikhs and Jews have been recognised in law as both ethnic and religious groups, yet public bodies still do not collect ethnicity data on them. This omission prevents understanding of inequality, recognition of discrimination, and protection of these communities. Government Departments and the ONS have not collected ethnicity data on Sikhs and Jews, while the Home Office data shows a 20% increase in religious hate crimes targeting Sikhs and the highest rate of religious hate crime against the Jewish community. The lack of accurate data collection for hate crimes means that proper targeted protections cannot be put in place, and it undermines efforts to address health inequalities faced by these communities.']
Specific Asks
['The Government should provide a clear response to the 165,000 Jews and Sikhs who want the option to tick "Jewish" or "Sikh". The ONS should include specific Sikh and Jewish categories as options for ethnicity in their data collection framework, and Government Departments should proactively engage with the ONS to outline their data needs.']
Telegraph Poles: Birmingham
10 December 2024
Responding: Chris Bryant
Main Concerns
["The installation of telegraph poles by Brsk has caused significant issues in Birmingham, including a lack of consultation with residents, disregard for existing infrastructure, and obstruction to mobility. The MP highlighted specific instances where poles were erected without adequate notice or alternative solutions explored. Residents have faced concerns over safety and heritage impact, particularly near the historic Perrott's Folly."]
Specific Asks
["The MP asks the Minister to clarify what monitoring Ofcom is conducting on network providers' compliance with sharing infrastructure requirements under the Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and Restrictions) Regulations 2003. She also seeks updates on amending and strengthening this code of practice."]
Exempt Supported Accommodation
10 September 2024
Responding: Rushanara Ali
Main Concerns
['Since my election in 2017, issues with exempt supported accommodation have been a long-running problem. Birmingham has nearly 28,000 exempt claims across more than 9,000 properties. The sector has almost trebled since 2018 and quality concerns are rife among the properties. Poor-quality provision has led to an increase in social issues around community safety and antisocial behaviour. A key concern is how people are referred to and placed in the properties without proper assessment.']
Specific Asks
['I ask for a refreshed timeline on developing new regulations under the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023, including national support standards, and creating a new planning use class for exempt accommodation. I also request clarity on data collection to improve reform efforts.']
Liver Disease Mortality And Early Detection Initiatives
25 April 2024
Main Concerns
['I am concerned about the rising mortality and hospital admission rates for liver disease, with over 70,000 people dying annually, more than half of whom are between ages 15 to 64. The issue is exacerbated by obesity, alcohol consumption, and viral hepatitis, all of which increase in prevalence in deprived communities. Annual figures show that alcohol-specific deaths have surpassed 10,000 for the first time ever, a significant rise over three years without any explanation related to the pandemic.']
Specific Asks
["I ask the Government to provide fibroscans at all 100 community diagnostic centres by March 2025 and ensure these are accessible in deprived communities. Additionally, I urge them to consider Labour's fully costed plan for a 'fit for the future fund' that doubles MRI and CT scanners to detect illnesses earlier."]
Neighbourhood Policing: West Midlands
14 December 2021
Responding: Kit Malthouse
Main Concerns
['The west midlands has the fourth highest rate of crime in the country, with a significant drop in charge rates and conviction rates for victims of violent offences. The region has lost over 2,000 officers since 2010 and had £175 million slashed from its budgets. In addition to cuts to youth clubs and mental health services, police are increasingly dealing with complex crimes like human trafficking and child sexual abuse.']
Specific Asks
['Will the Minister give West Midlands police the fair funding they need, ensuring that victims of crime receive timely advice, care, and support? Will he hear the pleas of constituents who feel let down by the Government?']
Jaguar Land Rover: Redundancies
09 September 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Israel and Palestine
08 September 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Thirlwall Inquiry Terms of Reference
16 July 2026
Adjournment Debate
Contributed to this debate
The MP raised serious concerns about the Lucy Letby case, highlighting institutional self-preservation over justice. He discussed the Thirlwall inquiry's narrow scope and called for a broader examinat...
Department of Health and Social Care
30 June 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The debate highlights the lack of transparency in the NHS estimates and the impact of the UK-US pharmaceutical deal, which includes raising NICE cost-effectiveness thresholds from £20,000 to £35,000 p...
Isle of Wight Dementia Patients: Discharge to Mainland Care Homes
16 June 2026
Adjournment Debate
Contributed to this debate
The MP expressed deep concern about dementia care issues on the Isle of Wight, highlighting the closure of three local care homes and resultant displacement of residents to mainland care facilities. H...
Referral of Prime Minister to Committee of Privileges
28 April 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The motion calls for the matter of Peter Mandelson's appointment as US Ambassador to be referred to the Privileges Committee due to claims that the Prime Minister misled the House. Kemi Badenoch argue...
Peter Mandelson: Government Appointment
21 April 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Commonhold and Leasehold Reform 2026-01-27
27 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill 2026-01-27
27 January 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Local Government Finance 2025-12-17
17 December 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Recommendations of the Infected Blood Inquiry
14 May 2024
The petitioners are calling for urgent implementation of recommendations from the Second Interim Report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, addressing long-standing issues faced by victims of contaminated ...
View Full Petition -->
Dangerous driving
21 March 2023
The petition addresses serious concerns about speeding and dangerous driving, including the use of illegally modified vehicles on Osmaston Road in Harborne, Birmingham.
View Full Petition -->
Cost of living
14 March 2023
The petition addresses the cost of living crisis affecting residents in Birmingham, Edgbaston, including Harborne, Quinton, and Bartley Green, leading to increased homelessness and financial hardship.
View Full Petition -->
Attendance
77.6%
76 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
27
27.6% of votes
No Votes
49
50.0% of votes
Abstentions
22
22.4% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
08 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 145
Ayes: 170
Noes: 316
Failed
04 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 67
Ayes: 105
Noes: 410
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 88
Ayes: 85
Noes: 427
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Representation of the People Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 411
Noes: 102
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
24 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
04 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
3
PMQs Asked
33
Ministerial Questions Asked
60
House of Commons Debates Involved
5
Westminster Hall Debates Led
2
Statements / Bills
3
Petitions Presented
98
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1370 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-18% below average
This MP:
3
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+146% above average
This MP:
33
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+99% above average
This MP:
5
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1135% above average
This MP:
60
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-79% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
+22% above average
This MP:
3
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
+12% above average
This MP:
77.6
Average:
69.2
Important Context
- - Ministers answer questions rather than asking them, so have different activity patterns
- - Activity quantity doesn't measure quality or effectiveness of representation
- - Some MPs focus more on constituency work than parliamentary questions
- - Newly elected MPs will have less parliamentary history
About This Page
This page tracks Preet Kaur Gill's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.