Stephen calls on government to protect migrant women in Domestic Abuse Bill

Stephen spoke in the second reading of the Domestic Abuse Bill in the House of Commons on Thursday 15 April, pressing the government on the need to protect and extend the rights of migrant women who are survivors of domestic abuse.

The landmark Domestic Abuse Bill came back to the Commons this week after several amendments were tabled in the Lords. Stephen spoke in support of amendments 41 and 40 which would, respectively, seek to enshrine and extend protections for migrant survivors of domestic abuse in law and prevent public authorities from sharing survivors’ data for the purpose of immigration enforcement.

Currently, migrant survivors of domestic abuse face many challenges in accessing support. Most migrant women are subject to ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ (NRPF) which means they cannot access housing benefit, often used to support refuge spaces. In Women’s Aid’s 2019 report ‘No Woman Turned Away’, NRPF was named as one of the five most common challenges for women seeking a refuge space.  

Unlike the millions of people who have made a Universal Credit claim over the pandemic, migrant survivors with NRPF do not have this option, leaving many trapped with abusers. Survivors can apply for the destitute domestic violence concession (DDVC) allowing temporary leave and public funds access, but this is limited in scope. Only those on spousal visas or some family visas can apply, and temporary leave and public funds are only granted for three months.

Stephen said: “I hope the Government will urgently address the needs of migrant survivors of domestic abuse.  At the moment, their access to support is being blocked.  This needs to change.”

East Ham Cladding Working Group

Stephen plans to form the East Ham Cladding Working Group. The group will meet fortnightly to discuss the latest developments in Newham and Westminster.

The meetings will be constructive and give residents the chance to tell him what issues he should be raising with landlords and managing agents who are the source of so much grief for local residents.

The inaugural meeting is at 8 p.m. on Monday 26 April, via Zoom. Should you wish to join the group, then please complete the form below.

Stephen congratulates local kebab shops

Credit: Francisco De Legarreta C, Unsplash

Stephen has congratulated three businesses in East Ham on being long-listed for a prestigious British Kebab Award.

The Ottoman Doner in Manor Park, Best Turkish Kebab in East Ham and Anatolian Foods in Beckton have been long-listed for the British Kebab Award for Best Newcomer in London, Best Takeaway in London, and Supplier of the Year respectively. They were announced as the semi-finalist and the winners will be announced at a ceremony in London later this year. Awards will be presented for a total of 17 categories at the ninth annual British Kebab Awards, following a competitive nomination process.

A panel of judges including MPs Nadhim Zahawi, Carolyn Harris, David Warburton, Angus Mcneil as well as James O’Brien of LBC will help to decide the winners of each category – although anyone could vote for their favourite kebab outlet from a shortlist for each category. The Awards have become a fixture in the annual food awards calendar, and celebrate the growing contribution of the kebab industry to the UK.

The British kebab industry contributes over £2.8 billion annually to the British economy, supporting around 200,000 jobs across takeaways, restaurants, suppliers and the food industry in the UK. There are also around 200 doner kebab manufacturers in the UK, with a turnover in excess of £750m.

Stephen said: “I am delighted that these three businesses have been long-listed for the prestigious British Kebab Awards, which highlights their contribution to the kebab industry in the UK. I wish them many congratulations for their success so far and wish them good luck in the semi-finals!”

Stephen supports call for more learning disability nurses

 Stephen attended a Show Your Support for Learning Disability Nurses Event on Friday 26th March, engaging with self-advocates and carers about the national shortage of learning disability nurses.

Stephen discussed with carers and self-advocates with lived experience of a learning disability the issue of the national shortage of learning disability nurses and their experiences of accessing treatment from the NHS.

The Learning Disability Nurses Not Hearses Campaign, which recently won the parliament awards digital campaign of the year is run by Harrow Mencap and supported by the Royal Mencap Society and supported by the ALL Party Parliamentary Group on Disability, calls for every NHS trust in the UK to have at least two learning disability nurses.

Stephen said: “I was moved to hear the testimonies of self-advocates and carers. They do an incredible job but it is clear the national shortage of learning disability nurses needs to be addressed. Those with learning disabilities must not be side-lined.”

Stephen writes to Foreign Secretary urging action on Yemen

Stephen has written to the Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, asking that the UK suspend its arms deals with Saudi Arabia. He also urged Ministers to continue the provision of financial aid to the Yemeni civilians. 

The conflict in Yemen has been ongoing since the failure, in 2011, of a Saudi-backed transition from long-time President Saleh to his deputy Abd Rabbuh Mansour al-Hadi. The rebel Houthi movement took control of much of the country. In 2015 a coalition, led by Saudi Arabia, was established to prop up the al-Hadi Government. Since then, the conflict has produced the world’s worst humanitarian disaster, with millions of people at risk from starvation and disease. Attempts to broker a peace deal, ended in failure last year.

Stephen addressed the concerns his constituents in his letter to the Foreign Secretary. He requested a ban on selling  arms to Saudi Arabia, and urged Ministers to look again at its plans to reduce the amount of aid to Yemen.

Speaking about the letter, Stephen said: “I have long supported the Government to ban the selling of weapons to Saudi Arabia. It seems clear to me that the UK cannot carry out its proper role in reinvigorating the peace process if we are arming one side of the conflict.

“The Government must lead initiatives to impose a ceasefire, open humanitarian corridors and restore peace talks. It is vital that we help sustain the momentum required to end this brutal conflict, bring all parties back to the negotiating table, and stop the suffering of the Yemeni people.”

Stephen urges action on Mynamar

Earlier today, Stephen wrote a letter to the Foreign Secretary asking him to take urgent action about the situation in Myanmar.

In February, elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and members of her national league for democracy were detained during protests. The Myanmar military have since ceased control and declared a year long state of emergency. The coup followed a general election in which the national league for democracy won by a landslide. The armed forces which backed the opposition as demanding a rerun of the vote, claiming widespread fraud.

In his letter to the Foreign Secretary, Stephen suggested a number of actions that the UK government could take. These included a global arms embargo and joining the genocide case at the International Court of Justice.

Having sent the letter, Stephen said “I condemn moves by the Myanmar military in taking control of the country by force. It is important the democratic rights of the people of Myanmar must be upheld.

“I would urge the UK government to support the International Court of Justice genocide case against Myanmar and provide greater support for Rohingya Muslims.”

Stephen writes to Foreign Secretary about Israel's human rights record

Stephen has written to the Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, asking that he raise the issue of Israel’s human rights record at the UN Human Rights Council.

The current session of the Human Rights Council is currently taking place in Geneva. In advance of the meeting Stephen was contacted by a number of constituents who were troubled by the UK’s record of abstaining in previous votes that were critical of Israel’s human rights policy.

In his letter Stephen urged the Foreign Secretary to find a “sustainable solution” to the question of Palestine based on principles of international law. He noted that his constituents believed Israel should be obligated to follow international law, something which they have failed to do in the past.

Speaking about the letter Stephen said, “A number of my constituents have been in touch with me about this in recent weeks, so I felt it was important to relay their concerns to the Foreign Secretary.

“Without the insistence on basic protections for the rights of Palestinians, we will never make the progress we all want to see towards a long term, sustainable peace in the Middle East. I will continue to press the Government on the actions it is taking on these issues and follow any developments closely.”

Stephen presses government to act on household overcrowding

On Wednesday 10 March, Stephen led a Westminster Hall debate in Parliament on household overcrowding and the coronavirus pandemic.

East Ham has the highest percentage of overcrowding of any constituency in the country, with 27% of residents reporting living in overcrowded conditions in the 2011 census.

In the debate, Stephen set out the impact of overcrowding on mental and physical wellbeing. Individuals living in overcrowded conditions are more likely to experience mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, and Covid 19 pandemic has only highlighted and exacerbated these problems.

Stephen also highlighted the disproportionate impact and challenges which faced ethnic minority communities in housing. For instance, 34% of all Bangladeshi households are overcrowded. The figure for Pakistani households is 18% and Black African 16%, compared with 2% for White British households. Stephen urged the Government to ‘tackle overcrowding to address the racial inequalities in public health’. 

Stephen highlighted that the long term failure to build sufficient homes to keep up with rising demand is the main catalyst for the housing crisis. He questioned Housing Minister Eddie Hughes whether there is a ‘prospect of new investment in social housing on the scale that we need ’. 

The full transcript from the debate can be read here.

Stephen hosts event for East Ham students on exams fiasco

Earlier this week, Stephen hosted a Q&A session for students in East Ham. He was joined by Wes Streeting, Shadow Minister for Schools, Mandeep Gill, Principal of NewVIc, and Mouhssin Ismail, Principal of The NCS. The panel took questions from A Level and GCSE students whose education had been impacted by the Government’s slow response to the pandemic.

Last summer, A Level and GCSE exams were cancelled and centre assessed grades were run through an algorithm before they were issued. Grades were much lower than expected causing the Government to U turn last minute and ask teachers to issue grades based on their own judgement. The Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, recently announced that A Level and GCSE exams will not go ahead this summer and students will instead be awarded their grades based on teacher assessment.

At the Q&A, students raised concerns over the lack of guidance offered during this time, the possibility of grade inflation and the impact this will have on next year’s exams, as well as the impact this will have on university places and employment.

Speaking at the event, Stephen said “Whilst it is good schools and students now know what to prepare for this summer, there are still many questions about how issuing grades will look as we continue through the pandemic. The Government must ensure we will not see a repeat of last year’s exam fiasco this summer.”

Stephen criticises proposed cut to T-Grant

Stephen has written to the Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, criticising plans to axe the London weighting for universities in the capital. 

Earlier this year the Department for Education wrote to the Office for Students about the teaching grant (T-Grant) for 2021 - 2022. It revealed the grant would be cut and pledged to "…remove weightings for London providers from across the T-grant including students attending courses in London and weightings within student premium". The Universities and Colleges Union have warned the decision to cut funding will result in around £64 million being taken from London universities.   

As well as writing to the Education Secretary, Stephen has added his name to Early Day Motion 1546. It notes that the removal of the London weighting will disproportionately impact many students from different backgrounds. It also urges the government to take into account the cost to students of studying in London.

Stephen said "The government must explain why it has decided to cut support for London's world class institutions this is money that London universities desperately need. I urge the Education Secretary to think again"

Maya Taylor-Cook, a second year student at the University of East London, said “If there is a rollback in the weighting London universities receive, I fear vital service, such as mental health support may be cut, This will cause students to suffer.”

Stephen urges Ministers to ban "reckless" evictions over rent arrears

Stephen has co-signed a cross-party letter to the Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick. The letter urges him to ban "reckless" evictions of people with long term rent arrears as a result of the pandemic.

The MPs called for "urgent" action to prevent a new surge in homelessness in the coming weeks. They estimate that thousands of renters with six months of debts risk ending up on the streets.

Half a million private tenants in the UK are behind with their rent, according to research by Citizens Advice. The average amount owed is more than £700, the charity says, and one-in-four private renters in arrears have been threatened with eviction or cancellation of contract by their landlord.

The group points out that the Housing Secretary watered down protections by no longer excluding debts accrued since the coronavirus crisis began, when he extended the current eviction ban in February.

Speaking about the letter Stephen said “I am pleased that a number of MPs from across the House of Commons have recognised these concerns. We are calling on the government to amend the Housing Act to ensure the protection of renters who have lost income during the pandemic.

“The pandemic has had a devastating impact on renters across the country, many who face an immediate and direct risk of homelessness. The government need to take urgent action to protect tenants so that they can feel safe in their homes.”

You can read the group’s letter here.

Stephen accuses Government on breaking promises over fire safety

Credit: Hansard

Stephen has accused the government of breaking its promise to protect leaseholders in East Ham after MPs considered amendments made by the House of Lords to the Fire Safety Bill.

Stephen supported a Lords amendment to place robust requirements on building owners or managers and implement the Phase 1 recommendations of the Grenfell Inquiry. He also supported amendments to prevent freeholders from passing on fire safety remediation costs to leaseholders.  These amendments would have sped up the legislative process, which has already cost leaseholders millions of pounds, by protecting leaseholders from the day the Bill comes into force.

Stephen made a brief speech during the debate, and made specific mention of two local developments at Waterside Park and Upton Gardens. You can watch the speech here.

Speaking afterwards, Stephen said: “I cannot understand why Conservative MPs are consistently voting against vital fire safety measures called for by the Grenfell Inquiry.”

“This Bill was an opportunity for the Government to finally put the public’s safety first and to deliver on the promises it has made to leaseholders.  However, the Government rejected the amendments that I supported, and they were removed from the Bill.”

Home Secretary on TOEIC students: not just clarification, but justice needed

Under questioning from Tim Loughton at the Home Affairs Select Committee on Wednesday 24 February, Home Secretary Priti Patel set out the need to bring justice for international students unfairly caught up in the 'TOEIC' scandal.

A significant number of international students in 2014 lost their right to live and study in the UK after being falsely accused of cheating in the 'TOEIC' English language test. These students have now been in limbo in the years ever since, not allowed to study or work, many unable to afford to clear their names in the courts.

The Home Secretary recognised: "We still have a number of people - too many people, I don’t have the figures at hand– who were caught up in this and we need to find a resolution, and actually to bring not just clarification but also some justice around what has happened."

After the 'TOEIC' court cases due at the Tribunal next week, the Home Secretary agreed to come back to the Committee with what action her department will take.

Stephen said: “Ministers now need to create a mechanism – which can be done within existing Home Office systems – to end the misery for the hundreds, if not thousands, of student victims of Toeic stuck in limbo.”

Stephen pledges support for local pubs in East Ham

Credit: Amie Johnson, Unsplash

Stephen has today pledged his support for the Long Live the Local campaign to help pubs in East Ham. He joins over 500,000 people who have signed the petition so far, including 267 in East Ham alone.

Stephen is calling on the Government to cut beer tax at the Budget. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on brewers and pubs throughout the UK. In 2020 beer sales in pubs fell by 56%, which amounts to £7.8bn in lost sales. The sector needs an immediate boost and the fact that seven in ten alcoholic drinks served in pubs are beer underlines how directly a cut in beer duty can help pubs.

Brewing and pubs in East Ham supports 491 jobs and contributes £19.2m to the local economy. With £1 in every £3 pounds spent in UK pubs going to the taxman, British drinkers pay more in beer duty each year than those in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Ireland combined.

Commenting on the campaign, Stephen said: “Pubs are at the heart of communities across East Ham, but with pubs bearing a disproportionate burden as a result of the pandemic the Government should consider a cut to beer tax. I’m supporting the Long Live the Local campaign and calling on the Chancellor to cut beer tax at this year’s Budget to support pubs in our local communities.”

David Cunningham, Programme Director, Long Live The Local said: “Beer duty has increased by 60% over the last 17 years and now the UK has one of the highest rates of tax in Europe. When over two thirds of all alcoholic drinks purchased in the pub are beers, a cut in beer tax would go a long way to protecting pubs across East Ham that have suffered so much in the last year. We are very grateful to Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP for their support for the Long Live the Local campaign, and hope that the Government listens to MPs across Parliament and the thousands of people across the country who are calling for a cut in beer tax to protect our pubs.”

Stephen backs call for action on climate change on Fairtrade Fortnight

Stephen is backing this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight campaign, which is highlighting how the climate crisis is threatening the future of food and those who produce it.

In a show of support for Fairtrade, Stephen participated in a virtual parliamentary event alongside other politicians to mark the start of Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from 22 February to 7 March.

Hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Fairtrade, the online event featured talks on climate change from Kenyan Fairtrade tea producer Patrick Kaberia Muthaura, chief executive of the Fairtrade Foundation Michael Gidney, and APPG co-chairs Holly Lynch MP and Jason McCartney MP.

Stephen said: “I am delighted to show my support for Fairtrade Fortnight this year, and to back Fairtrade’s call for action to protect rural communities on the front line of the climate crisis worldwide. Climate change is the biggest threat facing farmers today: droughts, floods, storms and other disasters are threatening their livelihoods and their food crops, which many of us here in the UK depend on.

“Buying Fairtrade products is one simple way we can all help to ensure these farmers have the funds they need to tackle the changing climate and protect their crops from weather-related disasters. That’s why it is wonderful to see so many local residents here in xxx committing to using Fairtrade products and to supporting Fairtrade as a key solution for making trade fairer for farmers and workers in lower-income countries.”

Stephen joins call for disabled people to be given £20 lifeline

Stephen has heard how a decision to deny some disabled people £20 per week to help to survive the COVID-19 crisis has left growing numbers unable to pay for rent, food and heating.

For ten months the Government has refused to give emergency funding to over 2.2 million people on legacy benefits – including those on Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Jobseeker’s Allowance. This is despite the fact that Universal Credit claimants in the same circumstances are receiving a financial lifeline of an extra £20 per week.

The launch of the report ‘Pandemic Poverty: Stark choices facing disabled people on legacy benefits’, was hosted by the Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC) –  a network of over 100 organisations including the MS Society, Z2K, Disability Rights UK, MND Association, and Inclusion London, which has been campaigning on this issue for ten months.

To date, the Government has given a number of excuses for not extending the £20 uplift to those on legacy benefits, but they are at best feeble and at worst actively insulting to the people involved. Excuses have ranged from blaming the computer system for making it hard to process an uplift, to saying that people have had an uplift of 35 pence per week already and implying that should be sufficient.

Speaking afterwards, Stephen said: “Disabled people in East Ham have told me how they are bearing extra costs in the pandemic, but are getting no extra help.  For people claiming Universal Credit, the £20 per week uplift has been a lifesaver.  The uplift needs to be maintained, and extended to people claiming the legacy benefits too.”

Stephen leads adjournment debate on "Keeping the Faith"

Stephen has led a debate in the House of Commons on the response of faith groups during the covid-19 outbreak.

In his speech, Stephen drew on the findings of the Keeping the Faith report which was conducted by the Civil Society Unit at Goldsmiths, University of London, and commissioned by the APPG on Faith and Society. Support was also received from the Sir Halley Stewart Trust, the Trussell Trust and the Good Faith partnership. Stephen referenced some of the report’s key findings in his contribution:

• More than two thirds of the councils surveyed reported an increase in partnership working with faith groups.

• 91% described their experience with faith groups as “very positive” or “positive”.

• Nearly 60% of councils have been working with church-based food banks during the pandemic, 24% with mosque-based food banks, 11% with food banks in Gurdwaras, and 10% with food banks in Hindu temples.

• Only 1% expressed “concerns about the possibility of proselytization in the context of partnership working”.

Stephen also urged the government to encourage nationwide adoption of the Faith Covenant – a framework that reflects shared values to foster trust and promote effective collaboration. Interest in the Faith Covenant had continued to accelerate during the past year.

In his closing remarks, the Minister, Eddie Hughes, commended the response of faith communities to the pandemic and the findings of the Keeping the Faith report. He later endorsed the Faith Covenant saying “...such initiatives can help to encourage collaborations that bring about huge benefits for communities. I encourage all councils to look at the faith covenant and take up the challenge to work constructively with faith groups.”

Speaking after the debate, Stephen said: “I was encouraged by the Minister’s comments about the continued roll-out of the Covenant.

“We need our public institutions to be able to work confidently with people whose starting point is religious faith. This has not always happened in the past. This is a shame as many have experience of running very successful practical initiatives that support their local communities.”

Stephen urges Government to keep the £20 a week uplift and extend to legacy benefits

In a debate on the Social Security Uprating Order 2021 on Tuesday 9 December, an annual routine order uprating in line with inflation, Stephen urged the Government again to keep the £20 a week uplift in Universal Credit and extend it to legacy benefits.

In his speech Stephen drew attention to a report from the Disability Benefits Consortium released this month which has found that 82% of disabled claimants have had to spend more money than they normally would during the pandemic.

It comes as the Work and Pensions Committee has today called in a new report for a year-long extension of the £20 a week increase ‘at the very least’. The report has argued that its removal in April while the pandemic still being felt would plunge hundreds of thousands of families into poverty.

Stephen said: "Removing the extra payment in March would represent a failure by Government – failure to recognise the reality of people struggling. Without regular support, hundreds of thousands of families will be swept into poverty or even destitution. Government must end the uncertainty and commit to extending this lifeline."

Stephen unites with Cancer Research UK for World Cancer Day

Stephen has showed his support for all those working to ensure more people survive their cancer during and after the pandemic at a virtual Cancer Research UK event to mark World Cancer Day.

Taking place on 4 February each year, World Cancer Day is an international initiative which inspires individuals and communities to unite against cancer. With the pandemic meaning in-person events aren’t possible, Stephen logged on to link up with Cancer Research UK to learn about the charity’s latest research and show his support for protecting cancer services at this crucial time.

Though survival has doubled in the last 40 years in the UK, there is still much more work to do – and the pressures of COVID-19 have had a huge impact on cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Stephen said: “Cancer unfortunately doesn’t stop during the pandemic, and events like this are an important reminder that, however tough things are right now, we all still have a part to play to beat the disease.

“We all want cancers to be caught as early as possible and the best outcomes possible for patients. It’s amazing to see the advances we have made, and I hope people in East Ham show their support however they can as we all work together to ensure our NHS can help those who need it most.”

Today, 2 in 4 people survive their cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to accelerate progress so that by 2034, 3 in 4 people will survive their cancer for at least a decade. Among its calls to help patients and research, Cancer Research UK is urging the Government to use the forthcoming Budget to clarify how they will target funding announced last year to clear the cancer backlog.

Stephen urges support for international students left destitute by pandemic

In an Urgent Question brought by Paul Blomfield MP on Wednesday 3rd February about support for students in coronavirus, Stephen raised the plight of international students left destitute in the pandemic.

Many international students have been forced into hardship because of the pandemic, having lost jobs which they were using to support themselves. Newham Community Project in East Ham currently provides food to more than 1,700 international students living in East London every week. Aside from difficulties in affording food, many live in cramped, unsuitable accommodation whilst having to study online.

Stephen said: "Newham Community Project is doing superb work providing weekly food parcels. But who in authority has the duty of care for destitute overseas students?"