In just 6 days, the UK will head to the polls for the 2022 local elections. I have been out and about knocking on doors and speaking to voters up and down the country with fantastic support for the Labour Party and our candidates. The number one issue that has come up again and again is the Conservative’s cost of living crisis. The Government allowed the cost of food, fuel and bills to soar and then made it worse by increasing taxes, at the worst possible time. Today, people’s pay packets are being squeezed as the Government’s most recent tax hike is felt. Britain deserves better. Labour has a sensible, costed plan including cutting home energy bills by up to £600 and scrapping the National Insurance rise. We will be out campaigning right up to and including polling day, next Thursday. Help us spread the word that it is Labour that is on your side and find a campaign event near you: http://events.labour.org.uk  

This week, I wrote to the Secretary of State for Levelling up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove to ask him to ensure that his upcoming housing regulation bill includes measures to tighten the regulations and remedy the deep problems within the exempt accommodation sector. Including exempt accommodation within the bill would provide legislation at the earliest opportunity and is just one of the things the Government could do to finally deliver the real change that we desperately need to get cowboy operators out of our neighbourhoods. Our community cannot wait any longer, we need action now. You can read my letter in full here: https://twitter.com/ShabanaMahmood/status/1519680079835631617  

Last week, it was fantastic to join members of the Birmingham Cladding Action Group at their rally outside Parliament. As the Building Safety Bill entered its final stages before it became law, I joined leaseholders to protest the fact that the Government has once again failed them by choosing not to protect them from all of the costs of making blocks safe. The Act also makes no mention of the extortionate insurance premiums my constituents are facing and I will continue campaigning to ensure that this is addressed. This Act is a step in the right direction, but it still falls far short of what innocent leaseholders deserve from this Government. 

Finally, Eid Mubarak everyone! I hope you all have a fantastic time with your family and loved ones.