Steve McCabe Videos

Yesterday, Keir Starmer gave his first major speech of the General Election campaign. He turned his focus to the theme of service, after Rishi Sunak's desperate gimmick of a National Service plan with no viable funding. Starmer's quote "Service isn't just a word, it requires action" resonates with what I've been hearing countless times on the doorsteps of Selly Oak over the last few days. People want action from those who are running the country. They want MPs to roll up their sleeves and change things for the better. Labour will deal with the actual challenges facing young people who are eager to get the education and expertise they require to get good jobs and make good career choices. I have had many conversations on doorsteps with young, talented people who have started their own businesses but are feeling wholly unsupported by the Tory Government. Selly Oak is a breeding ground of creativity and vision, and this talent needs nurturing and encouraging. The Labour party is ready to serve this country and deliver opportunity for everybody, not just the privileged few. #keirstarmer #labourparty #generalelection #stevemccabe #sellyoak #birmingham

Bridget Phillipson, the Shadow Education Secretary, has said that Labour will recruit 6,500 new teachers if elected. We should be ambitious for all our children, not just a few. That's why Labour wants more teachers, better schools, and an opportunity for everybody. Let's break this class ceiling.

I've been out meeting people in Pennyacre, Druids Heath today. There are three things that people have been talking to me about over and over again: The lack of housing The cost of living Anti-social behaviour Labour's six priorities will tackle these issues head-on through building 1.5 million new houses within five years, neighbourhood policing, and an economy that works for the people of this country.

If you want things to change, you can't change the same old Tories. We need a Government with different attitudes, different priorities, and an appetite for change. I hope that on the 4th of July you re-elect me as your Labour MP and let me get on with that job of change.

Pension Credit: Why are low-income pensioners still missing out on pension credit?
Following my visit to the Hub on the Green , which provides a warm space for those who feel isolated or unable to heat their homes, I urged the Pensions Minister to do more to ensure low-income pensioners are in receipt of Pension Credit. Research by Age UK shows that over 50% of over-60s are worried about being able to pay their energy bills. There are still 880,000 families who are missing out on the Pension Credit, this is extra money they are entitled to which they are not receiving in the current cost-of-living crisis. Watch below 👇

Veterans ID Cards: Why are they not valid forms of voter ID?
As we know, people will need to show photo ID at polling stations before they vote in the upcoming local elections on 2nd May. Thousands of people were unable to vote at the last local elections because they did not have the correct ID. Valid forms of ID include passports, driving licences, older or disabled person's bus passes and Oyster 60+ cards. However, a form of ID which isn't valid is the HM Armed Forces Veterans Card. The ID card allows veterans to quickly and easily prove their veteran status where required, granting them simpler access to key support from the NHS, charities, and local authorities. They can also be used to apply for Defence Discount Service Cards and the Veterans Railcard. So why can't they be used as ID for a UK election? I recently quizzed Minister for Veterans, Johnny Mercer, about this issue and asked when he hoped to put this right. He couldn't give me an answer, which was incredibly disappointing. This scheme is meant to ensure veterans' access to key services, and it needs to be prioritised.

Did you know the Cadbury family rescued two medieval-era buildings and brought them to Bournville? Selly Manor, a museum since 1916, is one of Birmingham's hidden gems right here in my constituency. A visit worth making. Selly Manor Museum #EnglishTourismWeek24

The Chancellor will announce his Spring Budget tomorrow. Ever since the Truss-Kwarteng mini Budget, which wiped billions from our pension funds and led to higher housing costs, I feel distinctly nervous even thinking about the impact of the Chancellor's Statement. Do you feel confident that he understands the anguish that the ongoing cost-of-living crisis is causing to families here in the Selly Oak constituency and across the UK? Sky high gas and electricity bills, rocketing housing costs for both homeowners and renters, childcare unaffordable for many, transport and fuel price increases, and the weekly food shop a challenge for most. But it’s also small businesses, like Attic Brew Co. in my constituency, who are in need of Government support and intervention. Whilst energy companies are enjoying huge profits, small businesses are struggling to afford high energy costs to keep their businesses afloat. Watch below to hear the pressures that businesses like Attic Brew are facing. Will the Chancellor listen? 👇

West Midlands Pension Fund Delays
I am disappointed and concerned to hear about the West Midlands Pension Fund's failure to release payments of those who have retired recently. This issue has affected some of my constituents who have emphasised the financial difficulties they are now facing without having access to their pension fund. I have written to the Chief Executive and made it clear that this is simply unacceptable given the current cost-of-living crisis. The lack of communication that pensioners are receiving is alarming, and it is wrong that my constituents and so many others across the region have been let down in this regard. If you are my constituent and you have been personally affected by this issue, please get in touch: https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

I was honoured to visit the Royal Star & Garter – one of the few military charities providing Care Quality Commission registered social care services to veterans. It was a real pleasure to meet with the management team and the residents to see how much they enjoy being here. It is obvious there is an extremely caring atmosphere in the Home, and it was a joy to share some stories with the residents. Only 20 of the 15,000 care homes in the UK currently offer specific support to those who have served in the UK Armed Forces. Royal Star & Garter is working in partnership with the NHS and the Royal British Legion to run a pilot programme of a Veteran Friendly Framework: an accreditation scheme for all UK care homes, similar to that which exists for NHS Trusts and GP surgeries. The Veteran Friendly Framework is exactly the kind of structure we should be trying to develop and build upon. There’s a question on how many homes you can have dedicated to veterans in various parts of the country, but with the VFF you can dedicate the right levels of support, make sure veterans feel welcome, and that their past service is recognised. I was really interested to hear about the work that’s being done here and I’m looking forward to hearing more about it in the future.

It's concerning that at least 52,000 veterans are relying on Universal Credit, according to a response to a PQ tabled by Labour. I asked the Defence Minister whether this is a cause for celebration or concern, but he denied the figures I quoted from the govt. Watch below 👇

Small Business Saturday 2023
#SmallBusinessSaturday is a celebration of the beating heart beat of our economy. I caught up with two local businesses, Howard Yarnold Windows & Doors ltd and Aspire Tan and Beauty, to hear about how they started and how they are coping in the current financial climate. Last week, Labour launched a plan for small business that is a serious blueprint to create the long-term environment that businesses need. From tackling late payments to boosting exports, fairer taxes to better access to public contracts, Labour’s plan will stand up for our small businesses.

I recently asked the Education Minister, Robert Halfon MP, about what the Government is doing to address the decrease in apprenticeship starts in the 2022-23 academic year. What the Minister failed to spot is the drop in apprenticeship starts at intermediate level in recent years. In my Selly Oak constituency, apprenticeship starts have dropped by over 20% since 2017/18. The Government needs to ringfence funding from the apprenticeship levy specifically for apprentices aged 16-18. I also hear frequently from frustrated parents in my constituency about the delays in getting an EHCP for their children. SEND regulations specify that EHCPs should be issued within 20 weeks yet in 2022 more than half of all EHCPs were issued outside of the legal timeframe. Watch here 👇

Tomorrow sees the State Opening of Parliament and the King's Speech, the first for King Charles since he took the throne and it's the last chance for Rishi Sunak to address the problems besetting this country, many of which have occurred during 13 years of Tory rule. Watch to hear what I'd like to see 👇

At my last Report Back, constituents raised concerns about transport. 🚗🚲🚈🚌 It is clear that driving standards have fallen and public transport services are not working efficiently. Do we need to change how these services are run? Do we need to make sure that we, the public, have a greater say? I will be interested to hear what you have to say on this, please click on my survey below and share widely: https://tinyurl.com/222crys8

GCSE Results
Congratulations to everyone across the Selly Oak constituency collecting their GCSE results today! I know these past few years have been really tough for pupils - I hope that you get the grades that you deserve and that all your hard work pays off. I am wishing you the best of luck in your next steps!

Westminster Hall - Camp Hill Line
I was deeply disappointed at the news that the reopening of the Camp Hill Line has been delayed. This route should shorten journey times into the city centre for many of my constituents. The delay is another example of Andy Street's failure to improve the West Midlands' transport network. Andy Street is more focused on bringing Warwickshire into the West Midlands Combined Authority, a move that would be at great cost to the seven local authorities already in the WMCA, including Birmingham. We need a West Midlands Mayor who puts residents first and delivers projects on time. Watch my full statement below 👇

NHS 75th Birthday
The NHS has transformed lives for 75 years. I thank the dedicated staff who continue to deliver lifesaving work in my constituency and across the country. Labour will embrace new technology, focus on preventing illnesses and ensure we have more care in the community to future proof our health service.

PMQs 21 June 2023
During Prime Minister's Questions today, I asked Prime Minister Rishi Sunak whether he he was trying to avoid giving the Covid Inquiry material evidence from his tenure as Chancellor and specifically from when his Eat Out to Help Out policy was active. I was met with a hostile answer from the Prime Minister who was unable to provide me with a straight answer, which I was disappointed but not surprised to hear. All evidence should be provided to the Inquiry to ensure there is full transparency and honesty of where the Government went wrong, so those responsible can be held accountable and for lessons to be learnt to avoid this in future. I will continue to monitor this matter, but in the meantime please watch our exchange below 👇

Why is the MoD delaying Afghan resettlement decisions?
This week, I asked the Minister for Armed Forces and Veterans about the adequacy of the timescales for processing applications to the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme. I also asked about the standing of our armed services due to the scandals of delayed evacuation efforts. From my own experience, I have had concerned constituents enquire about the progress of their families' cases and I was therefore surprised to hear of the Minister's confidence regarding the MoD's evacuation efforts. I believe the MoD's progress has been slow, leaving many family ARAP applications outstanding for far too long. The applications should be reviewed at a quicker timescale, and lessons should be learnt for future evacuation efforts of this nature. Watch below 👇