If you're out and about in the morning this Sunday 12th May be aware that areas around the Coventry Road and Brays Road will be affected by road closures for the Birmingham and Midlands Velo.
We're on Sector 1 of the route which will be closed off from 4:45am to 10:30am.
You can view a detailed map of the route here: www.velobirmingham.com/the-route/road-closures
Birmingham Licencing Committee has refused to grant a late night refreshment licence to the planned Lap Dancing club at the fomer Zorba's restaurant.
The plans, which Jess and many local campaigners objected to, were also opposed by the police, enviromental health, schools and residents.
There is still time for the applicant to appeal, so Jess will continue to monitor the application and keep local residents update about further developments.
Across the country people are taking part in the Great British Spring Clean, getting out into their communities to keep them tidy. This year hundreds of thousands have signed up for this annual event.
There are spring cleans taking place across Yardley, and today Jess was out in the Oaklands Rec with pupils from Cedars Academy and Lyndon Green Junior School for one of the litter picks. Jess also hosted a competition with the local schools to design posters to promote the spring clean, with Yardley residents voting for the winner for each school year group.
During this week’s Women’s and Equality Committee hearing Jess spoke to a number of legal professionals about the implications of NDAs and the potential for conflicting duties towards clients and the reporting of illegal behaviour.
Jess also explored if this is treated differently in sexual harassment cases than in other types of criminal misconduct such as financial irregularities.
Jess said “If it [harassment allegations] was a criminal threshold in an employment case, would you have the same duty as you would have with money laundering?”
These proceedings continue as many of our institutions seek substantial reform in the way they handle these complaints in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
Yardley MP Jess Phillips hosted a #Girl2Leader campaign in partnership with the Women Political Leaders Global Forum, to celebrate the International Day of the Girl. The Women Political Leaders Global Forum (WPL) is a network of female politicians that are campaigning to increase the number and influence of women in political leadership positions. 24 female politicians worldwide hosted their own #Girl2Leader events in their respective countries.
Girls from Yardleys School and Cockshut Hill School attended this inspirational event in the House of Commons. The workshops held throughout the day consisted of talks, discussions and activities aimed at empowering young girls to use their voices and to encourage girls’ involvement in politics.
Jess Phillips MP said: “It was a brilliant event . It filled me with hope. These young women are an inspiration and were all ready to stand up and voice their views. The future looks bright.”
Yardley MP Jess Phillips met with Nusreta Sibak and the charity Remembering Srebrenica. In order to remember and learn from the 1995 genocide that took place in the Bosnian town of Srebrenica, politicians from across Europe are showing solidarity with the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The genocide took over 8000 lives, mostly men and boys from the Bosnian Muslim community. Many are asking questions not only about the reasons for violence occurring on such a large scale, but how this can be prevented in the future, how people survive conflicts, and what can be done to create a more hopeful and less divided world. Jess met with a Srebrenica survivor, Nusreta Sibak, who is working to share the stories of those who lived through the conflict and raising awareness of its tragic events.
Jess Phillips MP said: "I was humbled and honoured to spend time with Nusreta, to meet people who have lived through such horror and still stand up to fight for justice for their people is inspirational." "We must continue to raise awareness about the tragic events that took place in Srebenica and the work Remebering Srebenica is doing is vital."
Yardley MP Jess Phillips attended the NHS70 Parliamentary awards where her nominee HECTOR (Heartlands Elderly Care, Trama and Ongoing Recovery Project) won the Excellence in Urgent and Emergency Care Award. To celebrate 70 years of the NHS, an awards ceremony was held to recgonise the hard work and dedication of NHS staff. MPs nominated individuals and teams serving their constituents for awards across ten categories.
After being elected shortlisted in May, Jess’ nominee HECTOR was named national winner of The Excellence in Urgent and Emergency Care Award. HECTOR is based at Heartlands Hospital, and provides a patient-centred approach to caring for elderly people with traumatic injuries. They are responsible for the reduced length of stay, reduced complication rates and higher likelihood of returning home for elderly patients.
Jess Phillips MP said: "I am thrilled HECTOR won today. They totally deserved it. This award helps emphasise the importance of looking after our elderly and making sure they are treated with the same dignity and respect as anyone else." "It is a welcome reminder to us all that elderly peoples’ care is vitally important. It might not always be more glamorous part of NHS but it is changing thousands of people’s.”
Yardley MP Jess Phillips signed the Sikh Genocide book of Remebrance in solidarity with the Sikh community. The book of Remembrance commemorates the 1984 Golden Temple Massacre, and the events of the following days, which lead to the killing of 25,000 Sikhs in India. Jess attended the signing to acknowledge the members of the Sikh faith who were victims of the Golden Temple Massacre, and in solidarity with British Sikhs still seeking justice for the events of 1984.
Jess Phillips MP said: “ I stand in solidarity with Sikh people in the UK and around the world and support their fight for justice for the victims of the Golden Temple Massacre”
Yardley MP Jess Phillips attended 38 Degrees reception where they presented a detail plan to fund the NHS. In the last few years, public concern has grown over the NHS. Jess recently received emails from numerous constituents urging her to support an increase of at least 4% to NHS funding. Research carried out by 38 Degrees demonstrates that there is widespread support for a small, fair tax rise as a solution to the NHS funding crisis. Their research found that two-thirds of the public back a 1% tax rise.
Jess Phillips MP said: “There is clear support for greater NHS funding paid for by a small and fair tax increase. The research done by 38 Degrees demonstrates that the public want a NHS that works and are happy to contriubute towards it." “Years of cuts have deeply damaged our NHS. We have seen A&Es in crisis, growing waiting lists and staff shortages. I am glad the Government has finally recognised to deliver the service people need the NHS will need greater funding. That is why I support at least a 4% funding increase for the NHS.”