Stephen highlights Lumiere Building in leaseholders and cladding debate

Stephen has highlighted the case of the Lumiere Building on Wednesday 12 February in a Westminster Hall Debate on Leaseholders and Cladding led by Hilary Benn.

During the debate, MPs demanded the government foot the bill to bail out leaseholders caught in the post-Grenfell fire safety crisis. In line with recommendations from sector experts, Stephen pressed for government’s funding to be extended to cover other forms of dangerous non-ACM cladding and insulation.

Leaseholders in the Lumiere Building in Manor Park, as well as in other blocks in the constituency, have spoken of their anxiety about living in an unsafe building, as well as the challenge of selling or remortgaging their homes.

Stephen said: “I raised the Lumiere Building - just one of those in East Ham affected - in the important debate on cladding and leaseholders. Government needs to address all types of unsafe cladding, not just ACM.”

Stephen presses the Immigration Minister on the deportation flight to Jamaica

In an Urgent Question on 10 February in the House of Commons Chamber Stephen pressed Immigration Minister Kevin Foster on how many people were booked on the deportation flight to Jamaica, and how many had been in the UK since childhood.

Stephen commented: “I cannot see how the Government can justify deporting people who have lived in the UK since childhood.  It is deeply worrying that the Government appears to have adopted a dismissive attitude to this issue.  Further deportations should be stopped until the Windrush lessons learned review is published.”

Stephen speaks in Benefits Up-rating debate

Stephen spoke in Monday’s debate in Parliament on the draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2020. This order marks the first time in years benefits are being uprated in line with inflation. Stephen welcomed this increase, but raised concerns about the impact of the benefits freeze.

Stephen highlighted recent research from Citizens Advice on the number of people they help with no money left at the end of the month once they have covered living costs.

He commended the proposal made by the Work and Pensions Select Committee last July for benefits to be uprated at CPI plus 2%.

Stephen said: ‘The freeze has made life very difficult indeed for those who depend on benefits. We are seeing enormous numbers resorting to foodbanks, people sleeping rough in Westminster tube station; and child poverty going through the roof. I would ask the Government to look again at the Select Committee’s recommendations.’

Stephen attends launch of Decarbonisation Road-Map

Stephen attended the launch of Sustainable Aviation’s Decarbonisation Road-Map in Parliament on Tuesday 4 February.

The event marked members of the UK Sustainable Aviation coalition uniting behind a commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, in line with UK Government targets.

The Road-Map sets out exactly where reductions can come from, including through smarter flight operations, new aircraft and engine technology, modernising UK airspace and the use of sustainable aviation fuels.

Stephen said: ‘I welcome this commitment from the UK aviation industry, highlighting the importance of innovative future technologies in enabling the sector to reach net-zero emissions. I hope it will prompt a lively debate, including about the growth of air traffic in the next few decades.’

Stephen condemns surge in suicides among benefit claimants

A report undertaken by the National Audit Office (NAO) has found that ministers have investigated 69 suicides of benefit claimants since 2014‑15, of which 21 – nearly a third – were completed between April and November last year.

It states that it was "highly unlikely’ that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) investigates all such cases, and that ministers had no idea whether lessons from the reviews were ever implemented.

The report, was carried out after the DWP admitted it did not record the number of benefit claimants who have ended their life by suicide. The true number of self-inflicted deaths by benefit claimants is unknown, and could be higher than the figures quoted in the NAO report.

Stephen said the NAO’s findings exposed “significant weaknesses” in the way the DWP learnt lessons from suicides among people it serves.

He added: “The NAO’s finding that it is ‘highly unlikely’ that DWP investigates all such cases is cause for serious concern. Even where it does try to learn lessons, it doesn’t check to see whether recommendations from its own investigations have been put in place, or if there are any trends or systemic issues that could be identified.”

Stephen attends St Mungo's reception

Last week, Stephen attended a Parliamentary reception on homelessness, hosted by St Mungo’s, to discuss how the Government can put an end to rough sleeping. 

Since 2010 the number of people sleeping on the streets has more than doubled. St Mungo’s have recently found that Government cuts have left local services for single homeless people with a £1 billion annual funding gap. They are committed to stopping homelessness in its tracks and, for fifty years, have sent outreach teams to provide food and shelter for those who need it. 

Speaking after the event, Stephen said: “These figures are a direct result of a decade of failure on housing which has seen a steep drop in investment for new affordable homes; cuts to housing benefit; soaring rents in the private rented sector; and reductions in funding for local homelessness services.”

“The Government need to take urgent action to put an end to rough sleeping for good by 2024.”

Stephen joins Samaritans in Parliament to celebrate Brew Monday

Stephen joined Samaritans for a cup of tea in Parliament last week to hear about Samaritans’ suicide prevention work, and receive tips on how people can become better listeners. 

The reception was part of Samaritans’ ‘Brew Monday’ fundraising initiative, encouraging supporters to come together over a cup of tea throughout February.

Stephen commented afterwards: ‘I was delighted to be able to join Samaritans last week, and I pay tribute to their work in suicide prevention. Their work and expertise is vital in a context where last year figures showed the UK suicide rate had hit a 16-year high.’

Stephen elected DWP Select Committee Chair

Stephen has been elected Chair of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Select Committee.

His appointment was announced by the Speaker yesterday (29 January) following a ballot of MPs. He takes the role after Frank Field lost his seat of Birkenhead in the General Election.

The role will involve scrutiny of DWP on key issues such as the rollout of Universal Credit, the pensions dashboard, and support for disabled people.

Stephen brings to the role extensive experience of the social security system, having held ministerial roles in disability benefits, pensions and employment. As Shadow Work and Pensions minister in 2010-15, Stephen led Labour’s opposition team on the bill which set up Universal Credit.

Commenting afterwards, Stephen said: ‘It is a huge privilege to be elected Chair. The Committee has a great deal on its plate. We will play a constructive role, particularly in ensuring—as MPs across the House intend—that our constituents’ experience of Universal Credit is taken fully into account as rollout proceeds.’

Stephen pledges support for Cancer Nurses across East Ham

Stephen attended a Parliamentary reception on 22 January hosted by Macmillan Cancer Support to discuss their Save Our Support initiative with Macmillan NHS professionals and people living with cancer.

There are more than 40,000 nurse vacancies in the NHS workforce and Government figures show that waiting times for cancer treatment and diagnosis are at record high levels. Save Our Support is a campaign to ensure that the country has a fully funded and sustainable cancer workforce in order to support the millions of people living with cancer across the UK.

Stephen commented afterwards: “I want East Ham residents to get the support they deserve from local cancer services, which is why I will continue to support Macmillan on their campaign. I would welcome hearing from more constituents living with cancer on the impact their diagnosis has had on them.”

Stephen presses Minister on Universal Credit

Yesterday, in DWP Questions in the House of Commons Chamber, Stephen pressed Minister for Welfare Delivery Will Quince if he would look at significantly shortening the five-week delay in the first Universal Credit payment, which is causing such harm to claimants.

Stephen commented afterwards: ‘A report from the Trussell Trust recently found that Universal Credit (UC) claimants are two and half times more likely to need a foodbank compared to those on legacy benefits. This is largely due to the punitive five-week wait for the first UC payment. I look forward to discussing some solutions and alternatives with the Minister.’

Stephen's statement on India’s new Citizenship Amendment Act

Stephen has lent his support to campaigners who are protesting against India’s new Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

The act offers amnesty to non-Muslim illegal immigrants from three countries - Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan - by amending India's 64-year-old citizenship law which currently prohibits illegal migrants from becoming Indian citizens.

The campaigners - who held a protest outside the Indian High Commission at the weekend - say the law is exclusionary and violates the secular principles enshrined in India’s constitution. They say faith should not be made a condition of citizenship and fear that many Muslim citizen could be made stateless.

Speaking about the CAA, Stephen said: “Earlier this month, I spoke at a demonstration in my constituency to protest about the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in India. Several hundred demonstrators took part, and it was striking how diverse the group was – Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Christians.

The Indian Constitution is the crowning achievement of Dr B Ambedkar. Many of us have long admired it as a beacon for democracy, with in particular its commitment to equal treatment for all, irrespective of religion. It is deeply troubling to see these crucial commitments being cast aside.”

Stephen has written to the Foreign Secretary asking what response the British Government is making; and to the Indian High Commissioner requesting a meeting.

Stephen backs country’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign

Stephen has pledged his support for this year’s Great British Spring Clean, run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy. The campaign, which runs from March 20th to April 13th, will see up to 600,000 people taking action to clean up streets, parks and beaches across the country.

The Great British Spring Clean, run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, brings together individuals, community organisations, businesses and councils to show they love where they live and in 2019 more than half a million #LitterHeroes collected more than 900,000 bags of rubbish.

Speaking afterwards, Stephen said: “Litter is an issue that affects every corner of the country and, regardless of politics, the Great British Spring Clean is a campaign everyone can get behind. It is fantastic to help Keep Britain Tidy to get their message out and help them reach their target of getting 600,000 people out, taking action to clean up every corner of the country.”

To find out more about the Great British Spring Clean visit www.keepbritaintidy.org.

Stephen signs Holocaust Educational Trust Book of Commitment

This week Stephen signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment, in doing so pledging his commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day and honouring those who were murdered during the Holocaust as well as paying tribute to the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people today.

This year we are marking 75 years since the liberation of the concentration camps of Europe and the end of the Second World War. At the end of the month, on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, people across the globe will remember. In the lead up to and on Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events will be arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across the country, remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. The theme for this year’s commemorations is ‘Stand Together’.

After signing the Book of Commitment, Stephen said commented: “Holocaust Memorial Day is an important opportunity for people from East Ham to reflect on the darkest times of European history. As the Holocaust moves from living history, to history, it becomes ever more important that we take the time to remember the six million Jewish victims and also pay tribute to the survivors.”

Stephen supports RSPCA to improve animal welfare among youngsters in East Ham

Earlier this week, Stephen attended the RSPCA’s drop-in in the House of Commons and met with Chief Executive Chris Sherwood to hear about its ‘Generation Kind’ initiative helps teach compassion to new generations and work to protect animals in East Ham.

Research by the RSPCA revealed that nearly a quarter of school children aged 10-18 have witnessed animal cruelty and neglect on social media. Generation Kind, the charity’s biggest ever education and prevention programme, was developed to help address this.

Chief Executive, Chris Sherwood, said: “It’s great that Stephen attended our drop in event to find out how we help animals in their constituency.”

“We are working hard to create a generation of children who treat animals with kindness, compassion and respect through Generation Kind - a series of projects working with youngsters at risk of offending, animal care sessions for children in care and also talks and competitions for primary and secondary school children designed to make them think about animal welfare.”

Speaking after the reception, Stephen said: “I’m proud to support the RSPCA and the work that they do to protect animal welfare in East Ham. It was fantastic to hear about their work and to thank them on behalf of the animal lovers in our area for all that they do.

“However, I am saddened that young children are being exposed to horrific incidents of animal suffering online, in ways previous generations have simply not experienced. We all have a duty to raise the next generation to be kind and compassionate to animals and I will continue to work closely with the RSPCA to help improve standards of animal welfare in East Ham and across the UK.”

Stephen presses Minister on support for child refugees

In a debate on the Withdrawal Agreement Bill in the House of Commons on 22 January, Stephen pressed the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union Steve Barclay about the removal of provisions to support family reunion for child refugees after Britain leaves the EU. The debate centred around a Lords amendment tabled by Lord Alf Dubs.

Stephen commented afterwards: “It was fairly clear before the vote yesterday that the Government would get its way; but very unclear why it opposed the amendment. The Minister claimed that the Government’s policy had not changed, but that the legislation reflecting that policy should change. It gave no good reason for doing so. Many of us are left very uneasy about the Government’s real intentions.'“

Stephen attends Open Doors reception

Earlier this week, Stephen attended Open Doors’ World Watch List 2020 Report Launch event. Open Doors supports Christians facing persecution from around the world. Their World Watch List indicates the 50 countries where Christians face the most persecution.

(C) Open Doors UK

Freedom of Religious Belief is protected under Article 18 of the UN Declaration on Human Rights. However, Christians around the world are facing greater levels of persecution. Over the past year, the population of the 50 countries included in the World Watchlist has increased by 6%. Five years ago, only one country was ranked in “extreme” category for its level of persecution of Christians, now there are eleven countries in this category. In 2019, the Bishop of Truro’s report on the persecution of Christians around the world, recommended 22 actions for the UK government to implement.

Speaking after the meeting, Stephen said: “As the Labour Party’s Faith Envoy, I will continue to press the government to take seriously the plight of Christians facing persecution, around the world. Adopting the Bishop of Truro’s recommendations is vital.

“I will continue to work with Open Doors to ensure the UK is a world leader in protecting Freedom of Religious Expression”.

Labour seeks to increase funding for health and social care in Commons vote

Stephen has voted in the House of Commons to give more funding to the NHS, which would have seen an additional £26bn in real terms pumped into health services in England.

In a parliamentary procedure known as a ‘regret motion’, Labour made make the case for increasing funding for the NHS and social care, and exposed the failings of the Conservative Government’s Queen’s Speech in relation to the NHS.

Labour forced a vote to get parliament’s backing to fund the NHS by an additional four per cent a year and called for the Government to bring forward a plan to end the crisis in social care. The motion was voted down by the government. It was the first vote in the Commons on non Brexit related legislation since the general election.

Last week, we saw the worst national A&E waiting times on record, with the number of people waiting on trolleys for treatment reaching over 98000 – the highest ever seen during the winter.

 Speaking after the vote, Stephen said: “I’m really proud that my first non Brexit vote in the House of Commons was to save our NHS. With our NHS in crisis I will continue the fight to save it in East Ham.”

Stephen presses Minister on Brexit export checks

Last week, during discussion on the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill, in the House of Commons chamber, Stephen asked Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Robin Walker, about post-Brexit trade checks.

The minister's answer revealed that there will be reporting requirements despite previous assurances by the Prime Minister to the contrary.

Speaking after the exchange, Stephen said: 'The Prime Minister had clearly promised no new import and export checks along the Irish Sea, but the Minister's answer reveals that this is not correct.'

Letters

To read the reply RE Climate Debate, click here

To read the reply RE Alternative Student Finance, click here.

To read the letter to Boris Johnson (vaccine passports), click here

Reply re Spending Review: cleaner homes, click here.

Letter re ACB on Gillett Avenue, click here.

Reply re Beer duty, click here.

Plastic crisis, click here

Reply re Catch Up With Cancer, click here.

Reply re Eithiopia, click here.

Reply from NHBC, click here.

Aviva reply, click here.

Real fur letter, click here.

Durban IV reply, click here.

To read the Napier Barracks reply, click here.

To read the letter to Liz Truss, click here.

To read the letter to Dominic Raab, click here.

To read the letter to British Transport Police, click here.

To read the letter to Gavin Williamson, click here.

To read the letter to Transport for London, click here.

To read the letter to Govia Thameslink, click here. The reply is here.

To read the letter to Matt Hancock, click here.

To read the letter to James Cleverly, click here.

To read the letter to James Cleverly II, click here.

Letter to Gavin Williamson, click here.

Letter to Liz Truss, click here.

Letter to Andy Burnham, click here.

Letter to Gavin Williamson, click here.

Letter to Liz Truss, click here.

Letter to Dominic Raab, click here.

Reply from Andy Burnham, click here.

Reply from FCO, George Floyd, click here.

Reply from Boris Johnson, click here.

Reply from Ranil Jayawardena , click here.

Reply from Ranil Jayawardena about Yemen, click here.

Reply from HMT, click here.

Reply from Lord Greenhalgh, click here.

Reply from FCO, Palestine, click here.

Reply from FCO, Yemen, click here.

Reply from Gavin Williamson, click here. And the enclosure, click here.

Reply from Andrew Murrison, click here.

Letter to Gavin Williamson, click here.

3 September 2020

Letter from Greg Hands, click here.

Letter from Kemi Badenoch, click here.

Letter from Nick Gibb, click here.

Letter to George Eustice, Fishing, click here.

Letter to Grant Shapps, click here.

Letter to Liz Truss, click here.

11 September 2020

Hen harrier letter, click here.

29 September 2020

Supertrawlers letter, click here.

Matt Hancock, click here.

1 October 2020

Matt Hancock and Covid-19, click here.

Jo Churchill reply, click here.

Universal Basic Income, click here.

Higher Education and Covid-19, click here.

Asylum seekers and work, click here.

7 October 2020

Yemen, click here.

9 October 2020

Yemen, Click here.

13 October 2020

Michael Gove, click here.

Dominic Raab, click here.

Reply re NHS payrise, click here.

22 October 2020

George Eustace, click here.

Liz Truss, click here.

23 October 2020

Dominic Raab, click here.

26 October

Rishi Sunak, click here.

Gavin Williamson, click here.

27 October 2020

Letter to Liz Truss, click here.

Letter to Boris Johnson, click here.

Letter to Gavin Williamson, click here.

Letter to Oliver Dowden, click here.

Keeping the Faith, click here.

13 November

Letter to Robert Jenrick, click here.

Letter to Rishi Sunak, click here.

Belly Mujinga reply, click here.

FirstPort reply, click here.

Rishi Sunak letter, click here.

Waterside Park, click here.

Schools letter, click here.

Fetal pain, click here.

Dominic Raab, click here.

Letter to Robert Jenrick, click here.

Letter from Nick Gibb, click here.

Reply re Covid-19 Act, click here.

Letters for 21 December:

Letter to Dominic Raab, click here.

Letter to Robert Buckland, click here.

Letter to Matt Hancock, click here.

Letter from Sri Lankan HC, click here.

Letter to Gavin Williamson, click here.

Reply from Lord Ahmad, click here.

Letter to Gavin Williamson, click here.

George Eustace reply, click here.

HMT reply, click here.

Letter to Robert Jenrick, click here.

Letter to Liz Truss, click here.

Althea Loderick statemten, click here.

Baroness Trafford reply, click here.

Oisme Brown letter, click here.

Letter to Dominic Raab, click here.

Letter to Dominic Raab, click here.

Letter to Liz Truss, click here.

Chris Pincher reply, click here.

Pubs reply, click here.

Universities reply, click here.

Greg Hands, click here.

Microchipping cats, click here.

Sea munitions, click here.

Local council funding, click here.

Trade Bill, click here.

Pg husbandry, click here.

Aviva reply, click here.

Aviva Enc. 1 click here.

Aviva Enc. 2 click here.

Letter to Aviva, click here.

Napier Barracks, click here.

Napier Barrack II, click here.

Letter to Chris Philp, click here.

Letter to Gavin Williamson, click here.

Priti Patel, click here.

Lord Ahmad, click here.

Letter to Robert Jenrick, click here.

Israel reply, click here.

Animal sentience, click here.

Trade Bill, click here.

Sri Lanka, click here.

ESW1 and waking watch, click here.

First Port, click here.

Cladding newsletter, click here.

Barratts letter, click here.

Gavin Williamson reply, click here.

George Eustace reply, click here.

Kevin Foster reply, click here.

Reply from Helen Whately, click here.

Mainstay letter, click here.

Letter to Dominic Raab, click here.

Letter about Palestine, click here.

James Cleverly reply, click here.

DoH reply, click here.

Letter from Mainstay, click here.

Letter re Israel, click here.

Letter re pills by post, click here.

Letter to Priti Patel, re LTTE, click here.

Reply from Barratts, click here.

Israeli settlements, click here.

#CatchUpWithCancer, click here.

Vaccines in Palestine, click here.

Coronavirus Act, click here.

Mainstay reply, click here.

Fire and rehire reply, click here.

Dementia reply, click here.

LTTE reply, click here.

Cancel Apartheid week reply, click here.

Letter to Barratt, click here.

Letter to Hollis, click here.

Cladding newsletter, click here.

Cladding working group minutes, click here.

Letter re Waking Watch and Kingfisher Heights, click here.

Education Secretary reply, click here.

Letter to Robert Jenrick, click here.

Helen Masterson presentation, click here.

Cameron Court, click here.

Letter re OPT, click here.

Letter recognising Palestine, click here.

Napier Barracks, click here.

Environment Bill, click here.

At Home abortions, click here.

Disability Green Paper, click here.

EDM 7, click here.

ISDS, click here.

Assisted dying, click here.

Winterbourne review, click here.

Crystal redundancies, click here.

Sheikh Jarrah evictions, click here.

ICC reply, click here.

Assisted dying reply, click here.

Reply from Hollis/Aviva, click here.

Letter to Gavin Williamson re Takaful loans, click here.

Reply re Cyprus, click here.

Reply re ICC, OPT, click here.

Reply re Royal Wharf, click here.

Letter to DEFRA, click here.

Reply re Arms trade with Israel, click here.

Letter to James Cleverly, click here.

Letter re Nationality and Borders Bill, click here.

Reply from James Cleverly, click here.

EDM7 reply, click here.

Face mask letter, click here.

Letter to Home Secretary, click here.

Letter to Barratt London, click here.

Reply from Barratt London, click here.

Stephen urges parliamentary colleagues to oppose Prime Minister's Withdrawal Agreement Bill

Stephen spoke this afternoon in the Second Reading of the Government's European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill.

He urged fellow MPs to oppose the Bill, pointing out two major inaccuracies in its portrayal by the Prime Minister.

Speaking after his Commons intervention, Stephen said: 'Statements made by Boris Johnson directly contradict the Agreement he has negotiated. The Prime Minister has said that there will be no new Rules of Origin checks and no border checks across the Irish Sea. In both cases, Government documents show there will be such checks. The deal will put the continued existence of the UK in its current form at risk, and will damage the UK economy. MPs who support it will have a lot of explaining to do to their constituents in the years ahead, as the impacts unfold'.