Stephen speaks on Shelter webinar

On Thursday 7 May, Stephen spoke at a Shelter webinar entitled “Cliff edge: What will happen when the lockdown ends?" alongside Polly Neate, Chief Executive of Shelter, Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive of BrightBlue and Bim Afolami, MP for Hitchin and Harpenden.

The webinar looked at how we avoid the end of the coronavirus lockdown leading to an economic and health cliff edge.

Stephen applauded the speed at which the Department for Work and Pensions has been able to respond to the crisis, changes to Universal Credit rates, and efforts to re-house rough sleepers. However, he outlined a number of measures necessary to stop hardship now and encourage growth going forward, including suspending No Recourse to Public Funds, lift the benefit cap, fix the Universal Credit five week wait and prioritise youth employment.

Stephen commented afterwards: ‘To ensure economic resilience during and after the crisis, we need to make our social security system is fit for purpose. This means fixing the Universal Credit five week wait, suspending No Recourse to Public Funds and ensuring that housing support remains linked to local rent levels. I would also like to see Ministers examine the prospect of a Jobs Guarantee to combat youth unemployment.’