Stephen questions Minister over Indian Citizenship (Amendment) Act

Yesterday in Parliament in an Urgent Question on recent violence in India and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Stephen questioned the Minister of State Nigel Adams about the Indian Government’s move from the constitutional commitment to equality irrespective of religion.

Stephen commented afterwards: “Yesterday in Parliament I expressed my sadness about the Government of India moving away in the Citizenship (Amendment) Act from the principle of equality, irrespective of religion, set out in India's constitution. 

The constitution has been admired around the world for that commitment, ever since it was drafted after independence under the leadership of Dr B R Ambedkar.  I believe that principle is just as important now as it was then.”

Stephen hosts Crisis reception

Last week, Stephen hosted a reception in Parliament on behalf of the charity Crisis.

The event provided Crisis with an opportunity to petition Parliamentarians to focus on the issue of homelessness. The event centred around the link between homelessness and domestic abuse. In 2018/19 99 households in Newham lost their homes due to domestic abuse. Crisis pressed members to ensure that the forthcoming Domestic Abuse Bill guaranteed that domestic abuse survivors were given a legal right to settled housing.

Stephen said: “I support the excellent work of Crisis. In 2018/19 1904 households received assistance form Newham Council for homelessness. This figure is far too high. A concerted effort needs to be made to tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness. I will ask the Government to support measures that protect the homeless, including the repeal of the Vagrancy Act”.

Stephen hosts discussion on the Indian Citizen Amendment Act

Earlier this week, Stephen hosted a discussion in Parliament on India’s Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

Opening the meeting, he paid tribute to the Indian Constitution drawn up after independence by Dr B R Ambedkar, and in particular to its commitment to equality irrespective of religious faith.  

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act was passed in December.  It identifies residents of India, originally from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, previously regarded as illegal migrants, who can now obtain Indian citizenship unless they are Muslims.  Stephen expressed sadness at this move away from the constitution’s commitment to equality, and sympathy for the fears of many in India about where this could lead.

Participation in the well-attended meeting was organised by Indian Muslim Association (UK), founded in 1969.  The organisation’s President, Shamsu Agha, spoke after Stephen.

Other Members of Parliament from three political parties also attended the meeting: Jon Cryer, Sam Tarry, Mohammed Yasin, Lyn Brown, Jim Shannon and Mark Logan.  Unmesh Desai, Member of the London Assembly, also attended and spoke.

The discussion focused on the impact of the CAA on democracy and human rights in India. Many spoke of the potentially dangerous consequences of the Act, in dividing a historically secular and inclusive country on the basis ofreligion.

Speaking after the event, Stephen said “I support those who have expressed alarm about the CAA. I admire the democratic, secular values on which India’s success has been built.  This act puts them under threat. We are seeing campaigners from all faith backgrounds and ethnic groups taking a stand against the alienation of large swathes of the population."

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 hosts Third Space Reception in Parliament

Stephen has hosted a reception in Parliament celebrating the tenth birthday of Third Space Ministries. The charity, in partnership with local churches, facilitates chaplaincy work in the leisure industry.

Stephen praised the organisation for its work and encourages Parliamentarians to celebrate the work that faith communities do.

A video, commissioned for the 10th anniversary year was launched which tells the story of how the organisation has grown, with input from the current staff team and volunteers. A new campaign was also launched to raise £10,000 in 10 months to help fund future initiatives.

Speaking afterwards, Stephen said: “I was delighted to welcome Third Space Ministries to Parliament as they embark on their 10th anniversary year.

“Hearing stories of their work on the front line was hugely inspiring and I'm humbled by the passion and faith which motivates those staff and volunteers to serve whether it's at Wimbledon, Soho or in the DJ industry.

“It's important that we continue to make sure Parliamentarians hear of the huge contribution that faith communities bring to supporting those others write off."

Stephen presses Minister on online weapons sales

In a debate on Online Harms Legislation in the House of Commons Chamber on Thursday 13 February, Stephen asked Matt Warman, Minister for Digital and Broadband, about the problem of unlawful weapons being freely available to buy online.

Stephen – who last year sat on the Offensive Weapons Bill Committee – has taken a particular interest in the legislation to tackle online harms, and its potential role in regulating the sale of illegal weapons online.

Stephen said: “Last week, I asked the Minister if the new laws planned to tackle ‘online harms’ would block the ability of criminals to buy illegal weapons online.  I was hoping his answer would be ‘Yes’.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t.  I shall keep a close eye on this.  Online sales are a big source of the illegal weapons being used by gangs in the UK, and they need to be tackled.”

Stephen hosts St Paul’s Cathedral service for London’s homeless nightshelters

On 12 February, Stephen hosted a service at St Paul’s Cathedral, in collaboration with the charity Housing Justice, in thanksgiving for the work of homeless night shelters in response to the rise in rough sleeping in London.

The service brought together hundreds of night shelter volunteers, guests and those simply wishing to celebrate these shelters.

The congregation heard beautiful choral music, honest and powerful testimonies from the shelters, and a reflection from Rt Rev Rob Wickham, Bishop of Edmonton and Chair of Housing Justice. The Shadow Housing Minister John Healey was in attendance.

Stephen said: ‘Church-based homeless nightshelters are an astonishing response to the homelessness crisis. It was hugely important to be able to commemorate them.’

145 projects in the Housing Justice Winter Night Shelter Network provide more than 2000 emergency beds and welcome approximately 6000 guests each winter, making the network the largest provider of emergency accommodation in the country. There is now a shelter in every London borough.

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.”