The Chancellor has been dragged kicking and screaming to his senses and finally performed a u-turn: He has now adopted Labour’s plan for a windfall tax on oil and gas producer profits to try and lower working people’s energy bills. The main question is, what took him so long? Whilst this Government have been paralysed by a failure of leadership, the British people have been paying the price.  

It is clear who is winning the battle of ideas in Britain – where the Labour Party leads the Conservatives follow. Just last week, I was on ITV’s Central Lobby calling for a windfall tax and now they have adopted it. We said the buy now pay later scheme on energy bills was wrong and now they’ve ditched it. The crucial concern is what’s next? Where is the Conservatives’ long-term plan for growing and protecting our economy. The answer is, they haven’t got one. Labour’s plans would protect our long-term energy security, focus on growth and our plans to buy, make and sell more in Britain. Labour would address the underlying weaknesses in our economy so we can stop this spiral of inflation, lift wages and provide greater security for families across Ladywood and the country. 

The Government has finally made this announcement because they needed a new headline. After months of waiting, senior civil servant Sue Gray has published her report into the Downing Street Parties that took place during lockdown. The report’s findings were shocking and laid bare the abject failure of leadership at the very top of Government. There were reports of excessive drinking and lack of respect and poor treatment of cleaning and custodial staff. During the pandemic, people in Birmingham Ladywood went months without seeing loved ones and were even unable to attend funerals of family members. The report makes clear that this government treated those sacrifices with utter contempt. Britain deserves so much better than this, the Prime Minister must go. 

As we look to next week, I wanted to highlight that the Mobile Household Recycling Centre is returning to a street near you. The Centre takes residents additional recycling, bulky rubbish and unwanted items, so keep an eye on my Facebook page for further details! 

Finally, next week, we will celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. There are loads of events and street parties taking place all over Birmingham Ladywood, so make sure you check out what is going on in your neighbourhood. I hope everyone has a fantastic bank holiday and half term break and enjoy the Jubilee celebrations!