Local Government Finance

Preet Kaur Gill Excerpts

Wednesday 17th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Alison McGovern]

I thank the hon. Gentleman and former council leader for his question. It is nice to have a bit of agreement at Christmas, Madam Deputy Speaker—if it is over multi-year settlements, then then so be it. I will write to him with the specific details about his area and how the remoteness formula affects the council's funding.

[Preet Kaur Gill (Birmingham Edgbaston) (Lab/Co-op)]

I welcome the Government’s investment in Birmingham through today’s fair funding settlement and the £160 million of Pride in Place funding for nine areas, including Bartley Green in my constituency. That stands in stark contrast to the Conservatives’ austerity agenda, which cut £1 billion from Birmingham city council’s budget and placed severe pressure on the public services that my constituents rely on. I have been fighting for eight years in this place for fair funding for Birmingham. Does the Minister agree that only Labour can be trusted to invest in our city?

[Alison McGovern]

I thank my hon. Friend for that question on behalf of the people of Birmingham. We know that they deserve better. Birmingham is a great city; I was there only recently and always feel welcome and at home. It is right for us to invest in our cities. I am sick to the back teeth of people having a go at places like Birmingham and where I am from in Merseyside. It is time we backed our cities, including Birmingham.