Stephen urges caution with re-opening of schools

Stephen has written to the Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, urging the Government to ensure schools are safe for staff and pupils – and their families – by the time they re-open, with the necessary protective measures.

The Government has said it wants some pupils in England to return to their classrooms on June the first, but teaching unions are concerned about the spread of Covid 19, if that happens. Ministers have said that primary pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 should go back initially and have criticised unions for their approach.

In his letter, Stephen urges the Government to ensure that scientific evidence and expert opinion have confirmed schools’ safety by the time they reopen.

Speaking about the letter, Stephen said “…the closure of schools has been very difficult for many families in East Ham.   I especially sympathise with parents who are struggling to work and home school their children, and I want schools to re-open as soon as possible. However, we cannot risk another surge in Covid-19 cases, so the Government must ensure adequate safety measures are in place first.”

Stephen calls for suspension of No Recourse to Public Funds

On Monday 11 May, in a general debate on COVID-19 in the House of Commons, Stephen called for the suspension of the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) condition for families for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak.

Stephen highlighted how families with leave to remain but with No Recourse to Public Funds but are barred from accessing mainstream welfare benefits, such as Universal Credit. Unable to work in the current pandemic, many are not eligible for the job retention or the self-employment schemes. Many are now facing serious financial hardship and food poverty. Some who should self-isolate because they have symptoms, have no choice but to work, endangering others.

Last week, the High Court heard the case of an 8-year-old boy and his migrant mother with NRPF. The Court ruled the policy denying families like his access to the welfare safety net unlawful, and that it breaches Article 3 of the ECHR, which prohibits inhuman and degrading treatment.

Stephen commented after the debate yesterday: “For the duration of this crisis – on moral grounds, and on public health grounds – the No Recourse to Public Funds condition must be suspended. Ministers have consistently said that the issue is under review, but swift action is needed.”

The Home Office will not say how many have the NRPF restriction in the UK. However, a Children’s Society report released last week, drawing from Oxford University’s Migration Observatory, estimated the figure of over a million people with leave to remain but no recourse to public funds, including at least 100,000 children.

There is a particularly large number of those with the NRPF status in Newham. Requests for NRPF support to Newham Council have increased by 300% during the outbreak.

Stephen asks Minister Will Quince about five week wait

In Work and Pensions Questions on 11 May, Stephen asked Will Quince, Minister for Universal Credit Delivery, about the inbuilt five-week wait for the first Universal Credit payment.

Stephen said: ‘Especially during the coronavirus outbreak, ministers must surely recognise that the five week delay problem in Universal Credit has to be fixed.’

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.’

Newham politicians outline demands to Health Secretary

Stephen has joined West Ham MP, Lyn Brown, and the Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz, in calling for urgent government action following the publication of data last weekend COVID-19 deaths.

The data, which was released by the Office for National Statistics, showed Newham has the country’s highest death rate: 144.3 deaths per 100,000 people, some four times higher than the average.

The letter asks the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, to focus the government’s response on areas like Newham. It states “…additional resource[s] and support for both the NHS and local government must be targeted at the worst-affected areas, and we believe this should include targeting testing and tracing resources, while these remain very scarce, at high risk areas and groups.”

The politicians also call on Ministers to lift the No Recourse to Public Funds condition. They note this group is at particular risk from coronavirus because “…they are barred from social security support, so may be forced to disobey guidance in order to obtain an income.”

The full letter can be read here.                                                        

Stephen asks Secretary of State about the benefit cap

In Work and Pensions Questions on 4 May, Stephen asked a virtual question to Secretary of State Thérèse Coffey about the benefit cap.

Stephen commented afterwards: 'The Government has, rightly, raised Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit & housing support to help in the crisis. But for many in London, the benefit cap - which hasn’t been raised - is blocking the extra support. I hope the government changes course so that there is consistency and so that support gets to people who sorely need it in the current crisis.'

Record number of East Ham residents tour Parliament

A recent review carried out by the Houses of Parliament Tours Office found that a record number of Stephen’s constituents had been on tours of Parliament.   

A total of 749 residents booked from East Ham onto a tour last year. This was the second largest number from any constituency in the country, behind the City of London and Westminster which had 801. Many constituencies had just a handful of visitors to Parliament and 27 had none at all.

In the past year, Stephen has met several constituents as they have toured the palace of Westminster and has also held a number of Q&A sessions for primary schools. Many constituents have also managed to secure tickets to watch Prime Minister’s Questions and other debates in Parliament too.

After seeing the tours report for 2019/20, Stephen said: “I am delighted that Parliament has seen such a high number of visitors from East Ham.  Its great to see constituents taking a keen interest in the running of our democracy.”

If you would like to book onto a tour when Parliament reopens for visitors, do give Stephen’s office a call on 0207 219 4000, or send an email to timmss@parliament.uk. Further information can be found on the ‘Visiting Parliament’ section of Stephen’s website.

Stephen hosts virtual CLP meeting

On Wednesday, Stephen hosted a Zoom Meeting for members of the East Ham Labour Party.

Stephen opened by providing the party with an update on the COVID-19 crisis, He highlighted the plight of constituents with No Recourse to Public Funds. The meeting then moved into a Question and Answer session, with the local party members being given the opportunity to submit questions to Stephen.

Speaking afterwards, Stephen said “…it is important East Ham Labour Party stays active during this crisis. Communication is restricted, but my dialogue with the local party is as important as ever. It helps me stay in touch with the issues facing constituents, and the local party to know how best to support East Ham.”

Stephen presses Michael Gove on No Recourse to Public Funds

In Questions for the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 28 April 2020, Stephen pressed Michael Gove on the issue of those working legally who have the No Recourse to Public Funds condition applied to their immigration status.

Unable to work or access mainstream welfare benefits in the coronavirus pandemic, many are struggling.

Stephen said: “It is vital that the ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ restriction is suspended for the duration of the crisis, to give the hard-working families affected a chance.  I was glad to hear that No Recourse to Public Funds is under review by ministers, but swift action is now needed.”

Stephen speaks at online event on welfare and coronavirus

Yesterday, Stephen spoke at a webinar on ‘The Pandemic and its Aftermath - Making Welfare Work’. This was an online event exploring the themes of a new publication on welfare authored by Frank Field and Andrew Forsey, in the context of the current coronavirus outbreak.

At the event, hosted by thinktank Politeia, Stephen spoke alongside Frank (former MP for Birkenhead and Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee) and Andrew (National Director for Feeding Britain), and Lord Maurice Glasman. The speakers highlighted the current challenges for welfare and work in the coronavirus crisis, with many people facing job insecurity and lost income, and discussed what the future of the system could look like.

Stephen commented: ‘‘I was very pleased to take part in this discussion. I very much support the report’s commendation of job guarantee schemes for unemployed people, and was glad to highlight how mutual and voluntary organisations such as the Trussell Trust are responding in such an agile way to the current crisis. The Universal Credit system has withstood the strain of the pandemic well, but, to make it fit for purpose, the five-week wait for the first regular payment must be scrapped.’

The report, A Benefits and Welfare System for the 21st Century, will be published in the summer.

Stephen thanks local charities in Newham

Stephen has co-signed a letter with West Ham MP, Lyn Brown, Newham Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz and the City and East Assembly Member, Unmesh Desai. The letter is being emailed to a number of volunteer organisations in Newham. It thanks them for their efforts in supporting people facing hardship as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. 

The letter cites the extraordinary response of community groups in the borough. It states “…It has been great to see how groups which haven’t worked together before – including some which didn’t exist before the crisis hit – have come together to deliver vitally needed help.”

The full letter can be read here.

Stephen urges greater provision of PPE

Stephen has joined a group of Labour MPs in urging Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for care workers during the coronavirus outbreak.

The letter described the social care sector as being in a “precarious position” noting that care workers are frequently unable to access PPE, with the situation now extremely dangerous given the number of outbreaks reported in care homes over the bank holiday weekend.

In the letter, MPs call upon Matt Hancock to contact every local authority regarding PPE needs, and to provide resources when required. They further request a change to government guidance, which currently says that care workers need only wear PPE in care homes with confirmed cases.

Speaking about the letter, Stephen said “It is absolutely essential that those who are risking their own safety to help and protect the public get the equipment they need to do their jobs.”

Stephen: Five-week wait for Universal Credit is a “fatal flaw”

In an interview with BBC News yesterday, Stephen called the five-week wait for Universal Credit a “fatal flaw”, and questioned whether those who are asking for an advance are getting it urgently or not.

Stephen appealed for people who are experiencing claiming benefits for the first time during the Covid-19 crisis as well as those who have claimed previously, to get in touch with the Work and Pensions Select Committee.

The Work and Pensions Select Committee are looking into DWP’s response to the coronavirus crisis following reports of unprecedented demand. Nearly a million new benefit claims were made between 16 March and 3 April this year.

Stephen said: “So we can better understand the issues faced by people who rely on the benefits system, we’d like to hear from people about their experiences getting the support they need. We are keen to hear about any specific problems claiming benefits and also more generally about whether people are getting enough money to support themselves and their families during these immensely difficult days.” 

The deadline to send in views is 23.59 tonight.

Stephen writes to the Chief Minister of Punjab

Stephen has co-signed a letter to the Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh. It asks that he help UK nationals in the state to return home.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is working on bringing British nationals back to the UK, but there are currently no flights from Punjab. People are required to travel to Delhi. In reality, given the national lock-down in India, this is almost impossible.

Speaking about the letter, Stephen said: "There is a growing sense for British citizens in Punjab that they have been abandoned by the UK government.

“I hope the the Chief Minister can now step in. We have asked that he make special arrangements for Amritsar Airport to facilitate the return of British citizens and British Indians.”

Stephen warns local NHS Trust about charging pregnant women for care

Stephen has warned Barts Health NHS Trust that charging pregnant women for maternity care could be prove “disastrous”.

The Trust has faced criticism for charging 739 women, when 290 of them were actually entitled to free care. In a letter to Barts’ Chief Executive, Alwen Williams, Stephen wrote: “…The prospect of a thumping bill will certainly discourage people from receiving treatment! The consequences can be potentially disastrous.” He also described the impact on a family with a “modest” income after receiving a £10,000 bill as “devastating”.

Of the 739 women billed in 2018-19, 456 received care at Newham University Hospital. However, it later emerged that 290 of them should not have been charged. The figures were revealed after campaigners from Newham Save our NHS asked board chiefs at Barts for the totals.

The government requires NHS trusts charge patients who do not have leave to remain in the UK. In his letter, Stephen notes that in many of the cases he sees, the Home Office appears “mistaken” in denying leave to remain.

A Barts Health NHS Trust spokeswoman said it would answer his questions “as soon as we can”.

Stephen criticises lack of action in returning UK nationals from Pakistan

Stephen has written to the Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, outlining his concern about the number of East Ham residents who are stranded in Pakistan.

It is estimated that tens of thousands of British nationals remain in Pakistan, unable to travel. The FCO had previously chartered flights for citizens in countries where borders were closed. As Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was still able to fly from the country, efforts were instead directed towards commercial options.

Speaking about the letter, Stephen said: “ I am in touch with a number of East Ham residents who are stuck in Pakistan, with no immediate prospect of a return flight. I am deeply troubled that many of those stranded are struggling to get their essential medicines.  They are very worried about this and these individuals are understandably very anxious to get home,

“It is becoming clear that the Foreign Office is is not adopting examples of best practice that we have seen from other embassies around the world. “

Stephen raises No Recourse to Public Funds and coronavirus with the Home Secretary

In Home Office Questions in the House of Commons Chamber yesterday, Stephen asked Home Secretary Priti Patel, about policy on those with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) in the current coronavirus crisis.

NRPF is a condition imposed by the Home Office on an individuals’ immigration leave. A person with NRPF cannot access benefits, homelessness assistance from the council or social housing through the council's register. In the current coronavirus outbreak, organisations representing migrants have raised concerns about the ability of these individuals to self-isolate if they are unable to access public sector help.

Stephen commented afterwards: “A large number of my constituents have a condition of No Recourse to Public Funds. I was pleased the Home Secretary recognised the need for such individuals to be able to access public services in order to be able to self-isolate. I will pay close attention to the measures when they are announced.”

Chair writes to Secretary of State on response to coronavirus outbreak

Credit: Fusion Medical Animation, Unsplash

In his role as Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, Stephen has written to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with further questions on the Department’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The letter, in response to a reply from previous correspondence to Thérèse Coffey, calls for more information about the changes to the disability benefit assessment process brought in in response to the outbreak.

Stephen said: “This is a worrying time for all of us, but it’s particularly tough for people on already low or precarious incomes. They’ll be concerned about how they can continue to support themselves and their families, and will be looking to the Government for a strong safety net to help them through this unprecedented crisis. The DWP has already taken some welcome steps. But there is much more still to be done.”

Stephen secures promise from Home Secretary to look again at provision for TOEIC students

In a Statement on the publication of the Windrush Lessons Learned report in the House of Commons Chamber today, Stephen raised the issue of the TOEIC students with Home Secretary Priti Patel.

Priti Patel promised to look again at providing an affordable path for those students to clear their names.

Stephen said: “The problems highlighted in today’s Windrush scandal report also caused the Toeic scandal, in which over 30,000 overseas students from the Commonwealth lost their visas.  The Home Office needs to give innocent students an affordable path to clear their names.”

Stephen presses Chancellor on coronavirus, self-employed people and Universal Credit.

In the Economic Update in the House of Commons on 17 March, Stephen pressed Chancellor Rishi Sunak on coronavirus, self-employed people and Universal Credit.

Current rules mean that for someone who is self-employed, self-isolation means giving up their income. Applicants for Universal Credit have to wait five weeks for their first payment. If they need income sooner, they can only access a loan.

Stephen said: “I am pleased Ministers are drawing up an employment support package.  They need to make urgent changes to Universal Credit – including scrapping the five week wait – and announce their package very soon.”