It was straight to London for a ministerial statement on Monday on the current industrial action in Birmingham, which is causing misery and disruption for residents with piles of rubbish building up on the streets. We have been clear that this can not continue and a solution must be found, and it is subject to significant coordination across government and locally with the council and its partners. That is why I also visited Birmingham yesterday to discuss how to find a solution that works for local people and see this vital public service put back in place. The council has our full support in working through this.
Immediately afterwards we moved on to the Lord’s Amendments to the Non-Domestic Rates Bill. In this, I was able to reaffirm our commitment to rejuvenating high streets by introducing permanently lower tax rates for the high street and town centre; focusing on retail, hospitality, and leisure properties from 2026-27, removing business rates relief from private schools to redirect funds to enhance state education, where over 90% of children are educated.
Excitingly, we had the opportunity to visit Southampton this week as part of the Devolution Priority Programme. As well as ministerial meetings, we managed to see the Sea City Museum and Southampton Art Gallery. An unexpected highlight of the day was seeing Boaty McBoatface! (An autosub named by the public back in 2016.)
It was then back to a meeting to discuss the exciting Great North project with mayor Kim McGuinness from the North East and how government can support its work to champion the North of England.
As usual the week was also dominated by official meetings on council finance and intervention, with lots being done. Likewise on the English Devolution Bill where we are making great progress on drafting the legalisation.
It was also a nice to be able to hear the ten minute rule bill where I covered the frontbench for the housing team, which was on promoting co-operative housing schemes, something we could do with more of.
We’ve got a lot of co-operate policies coming through now, including the community asset right to buy, community energy and tackling violence against shop workers.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 