New report calls for appointment of Faiths Commissioner to strengthen relationships between local authorities and faith groups

A new report has recommended that a Faiths Commissioner be appointed to champion faith groups across Government.

Keeping the Faith has been published today by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Faith and Society and the Faiths & Civil Society Unit at Goldsmiths, University of London, found that collaboration between local authorities and faith groups dramatically increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A survey was sent to all 408 local authorities in the UK and 55 in-depth interviews were conducted with local authority leaders and co-ordinators of faith-based projects across 10 sample local authorities.

Over two-thirds of local authorities surveyed reported that there had been an increase in partnership working with faith groups since the start of the pandemic. 91% of local authorities described their experience of partnership with faith groups as ‘Very Positive’ or ‘Positive. And 76% of local authorities expect that new partnerships undertaken with faith groups during the pandemic will continue afterwards.

The appointment of a Faiths Commissioner would underpin the development of three further initiatives to strengthen relationships between local authorities and faith groups:

1. Encouraging the nationwide and widespread adoption of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society’s Faith Covenant.

2. Developing a toolkit – drawing on the Faith Covenant – for each local authority developed jointly by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society.

3. Establishing a new “Faiths Advisory Council” to develop more effective ways for faith groups, and Government to engage in strategic planning.

Chair of the All-Party Group for Faith and Society, Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP said: “Since 2012, the APPG has been encouraging collaboration between local councils and faith groups, and working to overcome the mistrust which can sometimes mark their relationships. This report shows that this finally seems to be happening at a significant scale.

“Many Councils have turned to churches, and to other faith groups, to help, particularly to provide food to people who would otherwise go without.

“Public policy has often implicitly assumed that religious faith is on the way out. This fascinating report underlines that, in Britain in 2020, faith groups have vital resources which are crucial for community wellbeing. We need our public institutions to be able to work confidently with people whose starting point is religious faith and to tap into the moral perspectives, the experience of running practical initiatives, and the insights into how policy is influencing people’s lives in local contexts, which faith communities can offer.

“All of us in Parliament need to take heed, and to work out the implications for public policy.”

Professor Chris Baker, Co-Director of the Faiths and Civil Society Unit at Goldsmiths, University of London said: “This research highlights a significant change in how local authorities see the role of faith groups as a result of the pandemic.

In the old normal, partnership was seen as what faith groups could do for local authorities. There is now a strong commitment to build on the new normal where partnership is seen as doing ‘with’ not ‘for’, especially around sharing good practice and the common values that underpin that practice.”

The research was made possible by funding from the Sir Halley Stewart Trust, and the project is being supported by the Trussell Trust and the Good Faith Partnership.

Stephen calls on government to publish scientific evidence for closing places of worship

Credit: Nicolas Brigante, Unsplash

Stephen has criticised ministers for taking the decision to close places of worship during the 4-week lockdown, without consulting its own Faith Groups Taskforce.

Places of worship – including non-religious buildings used for religious services – have closed from 5 November. They many remain open for private prayer, funerals, for the broadcasting of services, and for the purpose of providing voluntary services such as food banks.

The government created a places of worship task force in May to discuss lockdown regulations with senior faith leaders including the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Chief Rabbi, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, and representative from the Hindu Council UK, City Sikhs, and the British Board of Scholars and Imams. The Taskforce were not met with in advance of the announcement on 31 October of the new lockdown regulations.

Writing to the Prime Minister, Stephen outlined his concerns that the Taskforce were not consulted on the ban on public worship. He cited a letter from the Taskforce to the Prime Minister in which the group said the government had overlooked the workplaces of worship had made in ensuring they are COVID secure. The task force also questioned what scientific evidence there was to justify the ban.

Speaking about the ban Stephen said, “The move to ban public worship shows a lack of appreciation for the importance of places of worship to our communities. I know this is a view held by many people in East Ham – I have received a huge number of emails this week from constituents outlining their frustrations at being unable to attend their regular place of worship.”

“It is deeply troubling that the government made this announcement without consulting its own Taskforce. I have asked the Prime Minister why it was not consulted and have requested to know what scientific evidence was used when making the decision to close places of worship.”

Stephen writes to Chancellor about nurses pay

Credit: Luke Jones, Unsplash

Stephen has written to the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, asking if the Government is considering a 12.5% pay rise for NHS workers. He has also expressed deep concern about scale of unfilled nursing positions which currently stands at 43,000.

Stephen has been contacted by a number of constituents in the past few weeks who pointed him to a campaign being organised by the Royal College of Nursing. They argue that health and care workers have been on the frontline fighting against coronavirus and their hard work should be recognised by guaranteed increased wages.

Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, Jon Ashworth, recently told reporters that the government should engage in pay talks to discuss wage increases to drive up employment as well as sustain the NHS who the public is heavily relying upon in these unprecedented times.

Echoing these comments Stephen said, “The pandemic has shown just how valuable and loved NHS nurses are. I believe the Government must - at least - consider a pay increase for NHS workers, as well as putting together a proper solution for recruitment and retention”

Stephen writes again to Education Secretary

Stephen has written again to the Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, asking for assurance that schools are safe to remain open following the new lock down regulations announced last Saturday. previous letter sent on 2nd September - when schools originally returned - went unanswered.

Stephen’s letter pointed to a report produced by the National Education Union. It noted that data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated that 1% of primary pupils and 2% of secondary pupils have Covid-19. They union suggested these levels have increased since September.

The National Education Union believe that virus levels are now nine times higher amongst primary pupils and 50 times higher amongst secondary pupils.

Stephen said “I am disappointed the Education Secretary has not taken the trouble to respond to my letter sent to him in September. He is ignoring the views of teachers and parents in East Ham who have serious reservations about how schools can remain safe.”

Stephen calls for public inquiry into the death of Belly Mujinga

I’ve written to the Prime Minister today along with 50 other MPs & Peers, calling for a public inquiry into the death of Belly Mujinga.

We're joining more than two million people to demand #JusticeforBellyMujingahttps://t.co/bn9NgeYMPM pic.twitter.com/hftDAtwMA1

— Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP (@BellRibeiroAddy) October 22, 2020

Stephen has co-signed a letter to Boris Johnson calling for a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of transport worker Belly Mujinga.

Ms Mujinga, who had an underlying respiratory condition, contracted the virus after she and a colleague were allegedly spat at while working on the concourse at Victoria Station by a customer who claimed to have coronavirusus. She died in early April.

The letter, written by Stephen’s Labour colleague, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, expresses concern over the handling of the case by police and employers. It has also been suggested that Ms Mujinga was not provided with adequate personal protective equipment by her employer, Govia Thameslink Railway.

The letter states “…it is paramount that we get to the bottom of the circumstances surrounding Belly Mujinga’s death. With coronavirus cases once again spiralling out of control in the UK, we need to understand the failings of the past to protect the most vulnerable in the near future.”

Speaking about the letter, Stephen said: “It is troubling that a number of questions about Ms Mujinga’s death remain unanswered.”

Stephen welcomes progress on animal cruelty sentencing

Stephen has welcomed news that the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill has passed its Second Reading i in the House of Commons.

Earlier this week, Stephen wrote to Secretary of State, George Eustice, asking that the Government support the bill. He highlighted how many of his constituents feel the existing legislation is “neither a deterrent nor a punishment.”

The Bill, which seeks to extend the maximum penalty for animal cruelty to five years, was introduced to Parliament in early February and will now proceed to Committee Stage.

Speaking about the Bills progress, Stephen said “I have long supported increasing the maximum sentence available for animal cruelty offences. The current six month maximum sentence is simply inadequate for the severity of some of these terrible crimes. Increasing prison sentences for animal cruelty to five years could save the lives of animals and prevent unspeakable suffering.”

Stephen speaks in Black History Month debate

Stephen spoke in a Commons debate on Black History Month on Tuesday 20th October brought by MP for Erith and Thamesmead, Abena Oppong-Asare.

Stephen told the story of the Newham 8, a group of a group of young Asians whose case in the 1980s upheld the right of self defence and highlighted racism in the police force. He highlighted the forthcoming education pack for schools from the Newham Monitoring Project on the story. Stephen also highlighted the racially discriminatory impacts of the No Recourse to Public Funds policy, as research from the Unity Project has shown.

Stephen commented afterwards: “History teaching in schools should recognise black struggles and contributions - for example, the fight against racism in Newham. And a Race Equality Audit would expose the racial discrimination in policies like No Recourse to Public Funds.”

Stephen calls for compulsory microchipping of pet cats

Earlier this week, Stephen joined a virtual drop-in event to discuss how the measure could significantly improve feline welfare in the UK.

Cats Protection, the UK’s largest cat charity, is calling for microchipping to become compulsory for pet cats, as it already is for dogs.

Speaking at the event, Stephen said: “I’m pleased to support Cats Protection’s campaign for compulsory microchipping of pet cats. Ensuring all pet cats are microchipped would be an important step in improving the welfare of one of the nation’s best-loved pets.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cats Protection hosted its microchipping discussion online to update politicians on its campaign. Microchipping is a safe, permanent and cost-effective method of identification which ensures cats can be reunited with their owner should they go missing. It means lost cats are not mistaken as strays and taken in by rehoming charities.

Jacqui Cuff of Cats Protection, said: “Microchipping is an essential part of responsible pet ownership, and ensuring it is compulsory for cats would give them the same protection as dogs. We were delighted to welcome so many politicians online to discuss this important animal welfare issue, and look forward to working together in the future.”

Stephen argues for economic benefits of £20 Universal Credit lifeline

At Treasury Questions on Tuesday 20th October, Stephen asked Chief Secretary to the Treasury Steve Barclay about the £20 uplift to Universal Credit and its broader economic benefits.

The uplift is currently due to end in April but a broad coalition of charities and MPs are campaigning for it to be extended. A briefing this week from Joseph Rowntree Foundation outlined the broader economic benefits of social security increases.

Stephen said: "Social security is an effective tool to stimulate the economy. Much of the spend on the policy feeds through into an increase in economic activity. To support recovery, the economic case is clear: make the £20 a week uplift to Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit permanent."

Stephen endorses Recorder's "Shop Local" campaign

Stephen has called on people to shop locally this Christmas to support businesses in Newham.

A number of East Ham businesses fear the pandemic will force them to close. The Newham Recorder recently sent a questionnaire to all local businesses. Of all that responded, all but one expected takings to be down this Christmas. The Recorder has launched its ‘Shop Local’ campaign to support local high streets.

Speaking about the campaign, Stephen said: “This has been a tough year in Newham and for many it has been very tough indeed. There has been a massive community response, supporting families in the greatest difficulty. Local businesses have played their part and I hope we will all be supporting Newham’s independent businesses in the run-up to Christmas.”

Stephen backs physical proof of status under EU Settlement Scheme

In consideration of the Lords amendments on the Immigration and Social Security Bill on 19 October, Stephen spoke in favour of amendment 5, which would require the Secretary of State to offer a physical document free of charge to any EEA citizen who applies for leave or has been granted leave under the EU settlement scheme.

Stephen raised the concerns of London First, that without physical proof legitimate migrants will struggle to prove their status in a context where employers, landlords and banks are required to perform immigration checks. Stephen also highlighted concerns from the Roma Support Group that many of those they support lack full digital access or literacy.

The EU settlement scheme statistics show that Newham had a total of 91,000 applications submitted—the biggest number of any local authority.

The amendment did not pass, with 260 for and 331 against. Stephen’s full speech can be read here.

MPs call for starter payments to provide financial support during wait for first Universal Credit payment

The Work and Pensions Select Committee - which Stephen Chairs - is calling on Ministers to make a “starter payment” to people claiming Universal Credit (UC) for the first time. This would ensure that everyone has enough money for basics such as food and heating during the wait for their initial monthly payment, Committee says.

The Committee warns that this leaves people with a difficult choice: five weeks with no income, or the risk of debt and hardship later. The report concludes that the introduction of a new payment - equivalent to three weeks of the standard allowance - would be a simple way of ensuring that new claimants had the money they needed for basic living essentials. For people moving from existing benefits, DWP should make the move seamless wherever possible - and pay a starter payment in other cases.

Advances should still be available for people who need further support to get by, but they should be renamed 'new claim loans' to make clear that they will need to be repaid. The DWP should also recognise that a request for a loan is a clear indication that someone is struggling and offer support as early as possible.

Reflecting evidence from Sir Iain Duncan Smith, among others, the Committee has also called for changes to the way that historic tax credit is clawed back from people when they move to Universal Credit—and for DWP's debt collection to follow best practice in the private sector.

In addition, the Committee calls on the Government to make permanent the £20 per week increase in the standard UC allowance announced in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking about the report, Stephen said: “There is a growing body of evidence that moving to Universal Credit leaves many reliant on food banks, falling seriously behind with their rent, and even experiencing increased levels of psychological distress. The Government's response is that there is no proof that Universal Credit—and in particular the wait for a first payment—is the direct cause of those difficulties. So DWP needs to commission research, and quickly, to find out what lies behind these deeply worrying findings. Our social security system should not be leaving people without the money they need for food and heating.

In the meantime, the Government must face up to the fact that its current system of Advance loans simply isn't working. They leave people facing the toughest of choices: go without income for at least five weeks, or have repayments subtracted from their future UC payments—which are already barely enough to get by on.

We cannot understand why people who are already claiming benefits need to wait for at least five weeks when they move to Universal Credit—especially when nothing in their lives has changed. Their move should be seamless.

For people claiming benefits for the first time, or people who've faced a significant change in their circumstances, the Government should provide starter payments. Doing so would both cut down on the need for Advance loans and ensure that nobody is forced into debt just to be able to afford to eat and keep a roof over their heads.

UC is a highly automated system. That has been a real strength over the last few months, with the huge influx of new claims caused by the coronavirus pandemic. But it can also be a major weakness, leaving people without the tailored support they need, and Ministers unable to make the changes they want to see. There is much the Government can do without completely dismantling the UC system: we hope that our proposals, taken together, offer practical solutions for making Universal Credit work for everyone who needs it."

Stephen leads MPs in debate on No Recourse to Public Funds

In a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday 8 October, Stephen Timms and other Members of Parliament questioned Minister Chris Philp about the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) policy.

Members told heartbreaking stories of the the hardship the No Recourse to Public Funds condition is causing to families in their constituencies, particularly during the pandemic.

The condition, which applies to most migrants granted limited leave in the UK, prevents people from accessing most benefits like Universal Credit or child benefit. Over the coronavirus pandemic, this has left people who have lost hours or income or who are otherwise ineligble for the governement’s support schemes, without a safety net. Data from the Home Office has showed that the number of migrants subject to NRPF applying for destitution support increased six-fold in the first three months of lockdown.

Minister Chris Philp promised to probe whether change of conditions applications could be decided more speedily, see if he could find out data on the number of in-country visa applications, and clarify if people with NRPF would be eligible for the £500 Track and Trace Support payment.

Stephen said: “I hope the Minister will now provide me with answers to straightforward questions on data on no Recourse to Public Funds. And once he has finally acknowledged the scale of this issue, he must suspend the condition until this pandemic is over. It is causing families enormous hardship.”

Stephen presses Prime Minister about Universal Credit uplift

At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday 7 October, Stephen asked Prime Minister Boris Johnson about the £20 a week uplift in Universal Credit.

The uplift, introduced as part of the package of measures to support people during the coronavirus pandemic, is currently set to end in April, despite there being no end in sight for the pandemic. A coalition of 50 organisations including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation recently called on the Chancellor to continue this uplift.

Stephen urges more decisive action by UK government on annexation of Palestinian territories

In a Backbench Business debate on the Palestinian territories on Friday 23 September, Stephen urged the UK to take more decisive action about illegal settlement building and potential annexation

Although immediate plans for annexation are currently suspended, they might still take place.

Stephen said: "I welcome the stand that the Government have taken against annexation, but simply stating that we do not approve of it is not enough.”

Stephen raises deep concerns with Overseas Operations Bill

In a debate on the Overseas Operations Bill on Wednesday 23 September, Stephen expressed deep concern that torture was not excluded in the remit of the Bill, which aims to introduce a presumption against prosecution for British soldiers serving abroad.

Stephen is the Chair for the APPG for Extraordinary Rendition, which aims to stop governments ever again participating in rendition leading to torture.

Stephen said: “Torture offences must be excluded from the Overseas Operations Bill, as Ministers initially suggested, along with sexual offences which have already been excluded.”

The bill passed at second reading by 332 to 77. Labour abstained but will aim to amend the bill at committee stage to reflect such concerns.

Stephen joins international students to demand justice

(Victoria Jones/PA)

Stephen has joined students who were wrongly accused of cheating in their English Language Tests in delivering a letter to Boris Johnson. The students represent thousands of others who have been fighting for six years to prove their innocence.

The 200 students are some of about 34,000 accused by the Home Office of cheating in the English language tests they needed to pass in order to secure their visas. More than 1,000 students have been removed from the UK as a result of the accusation, and many were arrested and detained by immigration enforcement officers, but large numbers say they were wrongly accused.

Undercover filming by the BBC six years ago revealed cheating in two Home Office approved test centres, but campaigners say the Home Office was wrong to conclude that the vast majority of students who took the test in dozens of other centres all over the country had also cheated.

Acting on evidence from the private company that provided the tests, the Home Office concluded that 34,000 of the 58,458 students who had taken the test between 2011 and 2014 had definitely cheated, that a further 22,600 had “questionable results”, and that only 2,000 had definitely not cheated. Campaigners have questioned whether it is plausible that such a large proportion of students sitting a Home Office-approved test could have cheated.

After delivering the letter to Downing Street, Stephen said that it was “implausible” that more than 90% of those who took the Home Office test were involved in cheating. “It’s since become quite clear that many of those students probably most of them, were completely innocent of the charge that was made against them,” he said. “They have been in limbo in the five or six years ever since, they’re not allowed to study, they’re not allowed to work. Their money has gone, often their family’s life savings were invested in getting them a decent British education that’s been completely lost. I am appalled by the terrible hardship that has been inflicted on them by a false allegation that the British government simply accepted.”

Stephen speaks at launch of Shpresa report

Earlier this week, Stephen spoke at the launch of the one year evaluation of Breaking the Chains – a partnership project by Newham-based charity Shpresa and the Migrant and Refugee Children’s Legal Unit (MiCLU).

Life for those seeking asylum in this country is difficult. But, since the outbreak of Covid-19, navigating the hostile environment has never been more challenging. Breaking the Chains aims to improve the legal representation available to Albanian speaking young people seeking asylum. It also seeks to amplify their voices as they share the difficulties they face here in the UK.

At the evaluation launch, the young people supported by Shpresa and MiCLU shared their experiences through artwork, spoken word and poetry. In one poem, Shpresa was referred to as “a refuge where we can just be young people.” Their stories communicated in a powerful way that the young people supported by Shpresa and MiCLU are desperate to live fulfilling lives in the UK. However, they are currently stuck at home, with nothing to do but wait for the Home Office to decide their future.

There were also contributions from academics and lawyers. They reported that, since Breaking the Chains began in March 2019, the project has made considerable progress in providing Albanian asylum seekers with the legal advice they need. It was found that Albanian young people in particular have trouble seeking refuge in the UK. For example, in 2016, out of the 229 applicants, only two were recognised as refugees. However, there has been an improvement in the past year with a 9% success rate of young Albanians seeking asylum. There is no denying this improvement occurred alongside the work of Breaking the Chains.

Speaking at the event, Stephen said: “I am grateful to the young people for sharing their honest experiences – in excellent English – and explaining the struggles of the legal system.

I continue to champion Shpresa and MiCLU in their efforts to support and empower vulnerable asylum seekers consistently throughout and prior to the pandemic.

It is vital that the Government takes urgent action to live up to its moral and legal obligations to asylum seekers. It cannot continue to remain complacent on this issue and must put an immediate end to systematic discrimination of Albanian children and young people in the asylum system.”

Stephen supports action to protect low-income families

Stephen has joined experts and frontline practitioners from the charity, Action for Children, to launch a report revealing how many families have found themselves struggling virtually overnight during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Action for Children’s latest research uncovers how the pandemic has worsened household finances for many families. Through their Coronavirus Emergency Fund, the charity has supported over 10,000 children and young people living in more than 4,800 families around the UK during the outbreak, spending over £500,000 on essentials such as food, domestic bills and educational resources.

Over a third of households seeking support from the charity’s Emergency Fund have experienced financial pressures as a result of the increased costs associated with having had the whole family at home full-time, while two-fifths had to ask for help to afford food.

Stephen heard from key workers on the frontline about their experiences of helping children, young people and families throughout the pandemic, and pledged to support Action for Children’s efforts to ensure low-income families with children are protected from the financial impacts of coronavirus.

Speaking afterwards, Stephen said: “The impact that the coronavirus outbreak has had on low-income families with children is a huge concern, and one that will be amplified by winter and the prospect of a second wave.

“I am grateful for the support offered by charities like Action for Children, helping many families with the basics throughout the crisis and preventing children from being scarred by the pandemic.

“But it is clear that we need to do more to improve the financial assistance available to families facing difficulties, both now and in the longer-term, and I support action to make sure that help is available where it is needed.”

Stephen discusses options for preventing a second wave of unemployment

Earlier today, Stephen joined the Learning and Work Institute to discuss the end of the furlough scheme.

ONS employment data for July, indicates that three million workers were still receiving support from the Job Retention Scheme. Despite the headline figures for unemployment not altering dramatically, there are clear indicators that once the furlough scheme ends, unemployment could rise significantly.

In his contribution, Stephen highlighted the immediate need for the Chancellor to address this large economic challenge. Although supportive of the Kickstart Scheme, Stephen called on Minsiters to do more by ensuring there are “opportunity guarantees” for young people.

Speaking about the government’s response, Stephen said “It takes months for schemes to get into their stride once they are launched. We need an order of magnitude step-up from what [schemes have] come before and we need them to be established soon.”

The Learning and Work Institute Report “When furlough has to stop – next steps to avert long-term unemployment” can be found here.