MP Preet Gill welcomes injection of public cash

Birmingham is set to receive £651m in government money to improve local services, it has been announced.

The cash injection represents a 45% increase in the city council’s spending power, government said. 

The Labour administration says the investment aims to protect and restore essential local services “battered by 14 years of Conservative austerity,” which included nearly £1 billion in cuts.

Preet Kaur Gill, Labour MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, welcomed the new “Fair Funding” settlement, which replaces the previous Tory system, which critics say favoured the affluent at the expense of urban centres like Birmingham.

‘After 14 years of Tory austerity, Labour is putting money back into Birmingham’

Nationally, English councils will share over £78 billion, with core spending power rising significantly. The reformed model prioritises deprivation and actual service costs.

Gill said: “After 14 years of Tory austerity, Labour is putting money back into Birmingham. 

“This £651 million investment will make a real difference to people’s daily lives, supporting our high streets, libraries, roads and cleaner streets. 

“I also welcome the £20 million Pride in Place funding for Bartley Green, giving local people a real voice and backing an area hit hardest by Tory cuts. 

“Labour is reversing decline and investing in Britain’s renewal.”

The cash will support libraries, youth services, cleaner streets, community hubs, bin collections, housing, and children’s services. 

It marks the first multi-year funding settlement in over a decade, providing councils with long-term certainty.