Birmingham, UK – In a media interaction this week, Preet Kaur Gill, Labour MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, hailed the Chancellor’s latest Spending Review as a strong vote of confidence in Birmingham and the wider Midlands region. She praised the review for delivering major investments across transport, housing, health, and national security.
Preet Gill, who recently accompanied the Chancellor on a visit to Birmingham, welcomed the announcement of £2.4 billion in funding for local transport infrastructure, including a new metro extension connecting the City Centre to the upcoming sports quarter in Bordesley and extending to Solihull.
“This is a transformative investment in our city,” Gill said. “It will not only enhance connectivity but also support regeneration and economic growth in areas that need it the most.”
The MP also applauded the government’s backing of the Midlands Rail Hub, which will deliver a 50% increase in Cross-City Services with an additional 100 trains operating daily in and out of Birmingham. Stations such as Five Ways and University Station, located in her constituency, are set to benefit significantly.
“These improvements are critical,” Gill noted. “They will support the growing demand for access to key institutions like the University of Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and the new life sciences park.”
In a move to support everyday commuters, the Chancellor confirmed the £3 bus fare cap will be extended until 2027, helping to shield passengers from rising transport costs.
Addressing the city’s long-standing housing challenges, Gill expressed strong support for the Government’s £39 billion Affordable Homes Plan, the largest investment in social and affordable housing in a generation.
“With 26,000 people on Birmingham’s housing register, this is more than welcome – it’s essential,” she said.
The Spending Review also promises to bolster public health. The Chancellor unveiled a record cash investment in the NHS, with an extra £29 billion per year for operations and a 50% increase in the NHS technology budget.
“This funding will help us reduce waiting times, build new hospitals, and ensure our health services have the tools they need to provide high-quality care,” Gill stated.
On security, the review includes a £20 billion increase in defence spending and an additional £2 billion for intelligence and security agencies, pushing UK defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by April 2027 – the highest since the Cold War.
Further, the Border Security Command, launched with £150 million last year, will now receive an additional £280 million per year, and the government has pledged to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers and cut the asylum backlog, aiming to save taxpayers £1 billion annually.
“This Spending Review isn’t just about numbers – it’s about priorities,” Gill concluded. “From jobs and transport to housing and healthcare, this is a plan that delivers real outcomes for families in Birmingham and beyond.”