Stephen speaks in Parliament on building safety

On 29 June, Stephen spoke in the Building Safety debate in the House of Commons. He raised the plight of leaseholders in housing affected by cladding and other fire safety defects.

Nearly four years after the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in June 2017, around 700,000 people are still living in high-rise blocks with flammable cladding. Leaseholders in blocks with combustible cladding and other dangerous materials have experienced problems in selling their homes and many have been expected to pay for interim fire safety measures.

In his speech, Stephen explained how the problem is rooted in the Conservative party’s deregulation agenda and the failure of big housebuilders. He referenced David Cameron, the former Conservative Primer Minister, who - in 2012 - made it his “new year’s resolution to kill off the health and safety culture for good” to demonstrate the urgent need to tighten up regulation in this area. In his concluding remarks, Stephen said “Government must now finally side with leaseholders and would-be home owners and take on, not the building products industry, but the house builders.”

You can watch the full clip of Stephen’s speech below.

Stephen presses Government to maintain £20 Universal Credit uplift

On 28 June, Stephen urged the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department for Work and Pensions to commit to supporting those most affected by Covid-19 past the cut off date this Autumn.

In the Government’s 2021 Budget, delivered on 3 March, the Chancellor announced that Universal Credit will be reduced by £20 a week from the end of September. If the reduction goes ahead, it will cost six million families an estimated £1,000 a year.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Stephen explained the impact this will have on households across the country, including those with children. Research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has found that the cut will pull 400,000 people below the poverty line.

Stephen asked the Minister, Will Quince, “what assessment will he make of the impact of that cut on child poverty, before the cut goes ahead?” In his response, Will Quince said “it is our expectation that this additional financial support and other direct Covid support will end once our economy has opened.”

You can watch Stephen’s full contribution below.

Stephen calls on government to deliver on promises to Muslim students

Last week, Stephen tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons. It called on the government to introduce a Sharia-compliant funding system for Muslim students.

The former Prime Minister David Cameron told the World Islamic Economic Forum in 2013 that he would introduce an alternative student finance scheme for Muslims wanting to go into Higher Education. A government consultation, which concluded the following year, suggested that a Takaful fund be put in place. Despite its commitment, the government has not taken any action.

A number of Muslim students in the UK cannot access higher education because they are unable to take on interest from traditional student loans. The proposed “Takaful” fund would not be interest based, but would result in identical repayments to the current student loan system.

Stephen, who is keen that a new system be put in place prior to the 2022-23 academic year, said: “The traditional finance system is unfair on some Muslim students as they are prohibited from taking on interest-based loans to fund their tuition fees.

“Our education system must provide equal opportunities for all students. I hope my Early Day Motion will help persuade the government to act on their promise.”

To read the Early Day Motion, click here. You can also read a letter Stephen wrote to the Education Secretary about this here.

Stephen attends the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast

On 25 June, Stephen met with local church leaders in his constituency to watch the breakfast, which was streamed online.

Usually, over 700 parliamentarians and church leaders meet in Westminster for the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast. Whilst this was not possible this year, over 3,500 people were able to join in online.

The breakfast focused on life beyond Covid-19 and included prayers and words of encouragement from various parliamentarians. There was also a time of worship and Rt Revd Prof NT Wright spoke on renewed hope as the nation recovers from the pandemic. MPs and leaders paid tribute to the work of churches and charities throughout lockdown, such as Christians Against Poverty.

Stephen met with local leaders to take part in the breakfast at Manor Park Christian Centre. After the screening, the group discussed ways they could work together to serve the needs of the local people.

Speaking after the breakfast, Stephen said “David and Jean Foster at Manor Park Christian Centre made us very welcome this morning.  I enjoyed meeting local church leaders to celebrate the important role that Christian faith plays in communities across the UK. Churches – alongside other faith groups – have stepped up throughout the pandemic to serve their communities. They have been a lifeline for many in East Ham.

The huge interest in the breakfast this morning reflects appreciation for churches’ responses to Covid-19. I look forward to working with local faith groups in the future as we plan for recovery.”

Stephen presses the Prime Minister on climate action

Today in the House of Commons, Stephen asked the Prime Minister to ensure COP26 tackles the devastation of the climate crisis in vulnerable countries.

Stephen’s question followed the Prime Minister’s statement on the G7 summit, in which world leaders met in the UK. Stephen highlighted concerns over the G7 failing to commit to greater spending on climate action. He pointed to the COP26 summit - the annual UN climate change conference, which will also be held in the UK this November - and pressed Boris Johnson to use this as an opportunity to help the countries most affected by the climate crisis. These adverse impacts include wildfires, severe flooding and devastating draughts across the world.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Stephen asked “what steps will the Prime Minister take between now and COP26 to ensure that summit does deal effectively with the challenge of loss and damage in the countries most at risk?” Boris Johnson responded by saying “we will continue with our efforts” and added that he thought the G7 was a success.

You can watch the full clip of Stephen’s contribution here.

Stephen urges Government to protect workers rights

On Tuesday 8 June, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets gave a statement to the House of Commons on employment rights. Stephen spoke in the following debate about workers in the gig economy.

Earlier in the year, the Supreme Court ruled that Uber drivers must be treated as workers rather than self-employed, making them entitled to basic rights such as the national minimum wage and holiday pay. The Government have said that the courts are independent and that it will not intervene in their rulings.

In the debate in the House of Commons, Stephen asked the Minister – Paul Scully – when the Government is likely to bring forward the “long promised” Employment Bill, so that legislation can be implemented to provide security to all workers. The Minister responded: “the Employment Bill will come forward when Parliamentary time allows.”

Speaking after the debate, Stephen said “the Supreme Court’s ruling was a victory for working people and testament to the hard work of the GMB union. However, the Government should not leave it to workers to fight for their basic rights through the courts.

I hope the Government brings forward the Employment Bill urgently, to ensure protection for the millions of people in the gig economy in insecure work.”

You can watch Stephen’s full contribution below.

Stephen calls for action on inpatient care units

Stephen has written to the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, asking why the government has failed in publishing its action plan to transform care.

Ten years ago, undercover filming by BBC Panorama exposed horrific abuse at Winterbourne View hospital, an ‘assessment and treatment unit’ near Bristol. Patients with a learning disability and/or autism were repeatedly pinned down, slapped and taunted by staff. Four people were arrested and a further 13 employees were suspended. The hospital was later closed.

After the abuse was exposed, the government said hospitals were not homes and promised to “transform care”. Ministers said people placed inappropriately in inpatient units should move out of these settings and get the right support in the community. In his letter to the Prime Minsiter, Stephen noted that little has – seemingly – changed. According to statistics from the charity Mencap, there are currently over 2,000 people with a learning disability locked away in inpatient units. 355 of these have been there for ten years or more.

Speaking about his letter Stephen said “The in-patient model of care is inappropriate. It is deeply troubling that so many vulnerable people are still at risk of chemical and physical restraint and being kept in solitary confinement, often many miles from their families. The government must now publish its cross-government action plan on impatient units, and must do so without delay.”

Stephen attends event on child food poverty in East Ham

Stephen met with End Child Poverty to discuss the rate of child food poverty in his constituency and hear from young people about their experiences.

End Child Poverty is a coalition of organisations, charities and local groups, campaigning together for a UK free of child poverty. Their recent publication of the latest estimates of child poverty after housing costs found that 20,173 children in East Ham are in poverty. As a whole the figures show the growing scale of child poverty across the UK, even before the pandemic hit.

Speaking after the event, Stephen said: “It is deeply troubling that 50% of children in East Ham are in poverty.

I applaud the tireless efforts of local faith groups, community organisations and charities to meet the needs of hungry families in the borough. They have been a lifeline for many throughout the pandemic.

However, if we are to live in a society where every child has the chance to succeed, we need to see greater commitment from the Government. Ministers must make their plans for ‘levelling up’ a reality by urgently introducing a credible plan to end child poverty.”

Stephen meets students at Oasis Academy Silvertown

Stephen virtually met with Oasis Academy Silvertown for a Q&A workshop about his role as the Member of Parliament for East Ham.

The group consisted of three year eight classes at Oasis. They asked questions such as “how did you become an MP?” and “do you like your job?” Stephen described his journey to becoming an MP and the work he does in both East Ham and Parliament.

During the session, the students also raised questions on issues such as crime and the environment. Stephen expressed his concerns on these important matters and explained his plans to tackle local violence and climate change.

Speaking after the workshop, Stephen said “I enjoyed meeting with the students of Oasis Academy Silvertown and answering their questions. They are clearly enthusiastic about politics and social issues in Newham. I thank them for their interest and look forward to visiting the school soon.”

Stephen speaks in child food poverty debate

On Monday 24 May, MPs debated Marcus Rashford MBE’s petition on ending child food poverty, which received over 1 million signatures. It calls on the Government to support vulnerable children by widening access to free school meals, stopping holiday hunger and expanding the Healthy Start scheme.

In the Westminster Hall debate, Stephen highlighted evidence given to the Work and Pensions Select Committee, which he chairs, demonstrating the sharp rise in relative child hunger. The Committee’s inquiry into children in poverty has already found that food bank usage has doubled during the pandemic and that 18% of schools have started their own food bank since the first lockdown.

Stephen also raised the plight of families with No Recourse to Public Funds and highlighted the urgent need to ensure children affected by this condition do not go hungry. He welcomed the Government’s decision to expand free school meals to children from families with No Recourse to Public Funds and urged the Minister to make this change permanent.

Speaking at the debate, Stephen said “we need a clear Government focus on tackling this growing problem of child poverty. Extension of free school meals at the start of the pandemic for families with No Recourse to Public Funds was exactly the right thing to do. I hope that will be made permanent.”

Stephen meets students at Dersingham Primary School

Dersingham students virtually met with Stephen for a lively Q&A session about his work in Parliament and the local area.

The students, aged 7 to 10, form the school’s cabinet. Stephen congratulated them on their appointments. They asked questions such as “how many meetings do you have in the House of Commons?” and “what are the future plans for London?” They spoke about the history of Dersingham school and Stephen revealed he had first visited in 1979 – and countless times since.

The school cabinet also announced their plans to plant more trees in their local area and introduce more recycling bins in their classrooms.

Speaking after the Q&A, Stephen said “I very much enjoyed answering the students’ questions and hearing about their excellent plans to plant more trees and encourage recycling in their school. I thank them for the work they are doing on behalf of their fellow pupils and look forward to visiting Dersingham Primary School this summer to see the changes their cabinet have put in place.”

Stephen urges Government to tackle online scams

Stephen spoke in the House of Commons on Monday 17 May and pressed the Government to include protection against harmful scams in the Online Safety Bill.

A new version of the Online Safety Bill was introduced in the Queen’s Speech on 11 May. Whilst the Bill seeks to combat online fraud through user-generated content, it does not address scams through advertising, emails or cloned websites. This includes ads on Google or social media, such as fake investment opportunities.

In the debate, Stephen raised the case of a recently bereaved woman, who was scammed out of £200,000 after finding a fake site on Google in September. Google had been alerted of the fake site the previous May, but failed to remove it. The omission of legislation against online investment fraud in the Online Safety Bill means that cases like this are likely to reoccur.

Stephen said, “in letting crooks and scammers continue to ruin people’s lives, Ministers are being abjectly soft on this appalling crime. They could still do the right thing and legislate in this Bill. I urge them to do so.”

Stephen calls on Government to support families with no recourse to public funds

On Monday 17 May, Stephen urged the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Work and Pensions to provide further support for those with no recourse to public funds, as we approach the end of the Job Retention Scheme.

No recourse to public funds is a condition that applies to most migrants granted limited leave in the UK. It prevents people from accessing the majority of benefits like Universal Credit. The pandemic has been particularly difficult for families with this condition, as many have lost hours or income. Some have been eligible for furlough, which has been a lifeline for many.

However, the Job Retention Scheme is due to end this September. Many of those who have been able to benefit from furlough are worried about how they will be able to stay afloat when the scheme ends.

At the Department for Work and Pensions Oral Questions in the House of Commons, Stephen shed light on the difficult situation many families with no recourse to public funds will face as the Job Retention Scheme comes to a close. He asked the Minister, Will Quince, to lay out plans for how these families will be supported come the winter. Will Quince acknowledged that the Government were restricted by what they can do to help those with no-recourse condition on their visas. He did, however, assure Stephen that he would raise it with the Immigration Minister

Speaking in the House of Commons, Stephen said “Hard-working, law-abiding families without Indefinite Leave to Remain haven’t had as much support as others during the Covid-19 outbreak because of the no recourse to public funds condition.

Some of those families have been able to benefit from the Job Retention Scheme, so how will they be supported after that scheme closes in September?”

Stephen urges the Government to end fire and rehire

Stephen has co-signed a letter to the Prime Minister, urging him to immediately end the fire and rehire practice, in support of Unite the Union’s campaign to strengthen UK employment law.

In the letter, Labour MPs and trade unions outline the impact of fire and rehire on UK workers. This – currently legal – practice allows employers to threaten unemployment should their workers not agree to accept pay cuts. Since the first lockdown in March 2020, an estimated one in ten workers have been told to reapply for their jobs on worse terms.

In January, the Prime Minister said the use of fire and rehire tactics are “unacceptable” and announced that the Government was working with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) on this issue. The Government is yet to respond to the findings, despite 70% of the public backing a change in the law. As the letter states, “UK workers should have the same protections as workers in other countries. Fire and rehire is outlawed in parts of Europe and it should be no different here.”

Speaking about the letter, Stephen said “threatening workers with job loss to reduce pay and diminish terms and conditions undermines good employers, harms working people and damages our economy. Worryingly, this practice seems to have become more common during the pandemic, at a time where many workers have been facing severe financial pressures and personal difficulties.

The Government’s lack of action has allowed this practice to become widespread. It must now introduce urgent measures to outlaw fire and rehire.”

You can read a full copy of the letter here.

Stephen condemns evicitions in East Jerusalem

Stephen has urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to speak out on behalf of Palestinian families who are being forcibly evicted from their homes in East Jerusalem to make way for Jewish only settlements.

In total, 58 people, including 17 children, are imminently due to be forcibly displaced to make way for Jewish only settlements. Over the last week we have seen violent settler groups, backed by the Israeli state, intimidating, assaulting Palestinian residents and setting light to Palestinian fields.

The evictions of Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah are part of an ongoing process of the Nakba that started in 1948 where over 750,000 Palestinians were forced out their homes and made refugees. 2020 saw the highest rate of settlement expansion in East Jerusalem on record and over 1500 Palestinians are under threat of their homes being demolished and forcibly displaced.

Speaking on Monday, Stephen said: “I am deeply troubled about the eviction of families by Israeli Government authorities in the West Bank. The evictions contravene international humanitarian law, jeopardise the possibility a genuinely two-state solution and undermine social stability and security.

“These proposed evictions demand action from the UK Government and the international community. With our permanent seat on the UN Security Council and our historical role in Israeli-Palestinian affairs, I believe the UK has a moral duty to be proactive on this important issue.”

Stephen’s letter suggested that the Prime Minister should look at imposing sanctions on Israel for illegally annexing Palestinian land, something which he has previously refused to do.

Stephen urges government to draft ambitious HIV action plan

Stephen has written to the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, urging him to “bold and ambitious” when writing the government’s HIV Action Plan.

The government has committed to end new cases of HIV by 2030. Campaigners, however, are concerned that nearly 6,000 people living with HIV do not know their status because HIV testing remains a postcode lottery across the country.

In his letter to the Health Secretary, Stephen set out a number of proposals suggested to him by some of his constituents. These included the provision of free at-home testing kits being made available all year round and the funding of a new anti-HIV stigma campaign in schools.

Having sent the letter, Stephen said “I support the government’s target to end new HIV cases by 2030 and am pleased the government is looking at re-writing its action plan.

“I am very grateful to residents of East Ham for their suggestions as to what should be included. They are bold and ambitious, which is required to meet the government’s target.”

Stephen launches the East Ham Cladding Working Group

Stephen has formed the East Ham Cladding Working Group, which will meet fortnightly to discuss the latest developments around the cladding crisis in Newham and Westminster.

Following the Grenfell tragedy in 2017, the Building Safety Programme was established to ensure tenants and leaseholders are protected from unsafe cladding. However, nearly four years later, around 700,000 people are still living in high-rise blocks with flammable cladding. Several buildings in East Ham are affected, including within the Waterside Park and Upton Gardens developments, where dangerous cladding and insulation has been found on the high-rise buildings.

At the inaugural meeting of the group, Stephen explained how he is pressuring developers of affected buildings in East Ham to shoulder some responsibility for the removal of dangerous cladding, and address the costs of interim fire safety measures – such as waking watch. Stephen also gave an update on the situation in Westminster and the progress of the Fire Safety Bill, which returns to the Commons this week. MPs will have the chance to debate and vote on amendments to give leaseholders a guarantee that building owners cannot pass on the costs of any remedial work.

In addition, Stephen invited residents on the call to share their experiences and concerns on this issue. Many expressed their anxieties around living in unsafe housing, as well as the unforeseen costs associated with temporary safety measures. One leaseholder described feeling “powerless” and a “hostage” in their own home, as they have been unable to re-mortgage their flat with its current EWS1 rating.

Speaking at the meeting, Stephen said “I appreciate and sympathise with the cost and anxiety many leaseholders have endured due to issues for which they bear no fault.

I look forward to meeting fortnightly with local leaseholders in East Ham to give residents the chance to tell me what issues I should be raising with landlords and managing agents. There may also be opportunities to invite external speakers to address the group.

In the meantime, I will continue to call for reforms to the leasehold system and will push the Government to go further with the provisions laid out in the Fire Safety Bill. No one should have to endure the enormous anxiety this cladding is causing and the Government must act with urgency on this.”

If you are interested in joining the East Ham Cladding Working Group, please follow this link and complete the form. A member of Stephen’s office will be in touch with the joining details for the first meeting.

Stephen calls for pay rise for NHS workers

 Stephen has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, encouraging him to give a pay rise to NHS workers.

The government has supported the NHS Pay Review Body, which recommended that NHS workers should received 1% pay increase. With inflation set to rise to this year, it represents a real-terms pay cut for many NHS workers, including nurses, consultants, health visitors and wider clinical staff.

A number of constituents have contacted Stephen in recent weeks outlining their concerns at the “insulting” 1% pay rise. They have told him “…our health workers “need a morale boost now more than ever due to their tireless work throughout the pandemic”.

According to data from NHS England, the Barts Health NHS Trust saw 87,011 people in February still on a waiting list for treatment. Of these, 10,803 have been waiting longer than a year. As such, NHS doctors and nurses must continue with the challenge of this increasing backlog and provide care for those who have had their treatments delayed.  

Speaking about the letter, Stephen said “The battle against COVID-19 has been a long and difficult struggle. NHS staff have been at the heart of the fight against coronavirus, working day and night to protect our NHS and save lives. I am calling on the Chancellor to provide them a much-needed pay rise to support them in this crucial recovery period.”  

Stephen addresses youth employment prospects post-pandemic

Stephen has spoken at an event run by the Learning and Work Institute entitled “Facing the Future: employment prospects for young people after coronavirus”.

Organised in collaboration with The Prince’s Trust and HSBC, the event was an opportunity to explore the impacts of Covid-19 on young people in the world of work. Young people are more likely to have been furloughed, 16–24-year-olds account for three in five of all jobs lost since the start of the pandemic, and youth unemployment is three times the overall unemployment rate.

Drawing on his work as the Chair of the Select Committee for Work and Pensions, Stephen highlighted the possibility of the pandemic entrenching existing inequalities in the labour market, particularly disadvantaging black young people and those with disabilities. He also warned of the ‘scarring’ effect of the pandemic, with the time out of employment or education impacting this generation in the longer-term.

Stephen welcomed the Government’s Kickstart Scheme, launched to support young people into work. However, he argued that it did not go far enough. It should be open to for 16-24 year olds who are not in receipt of Universal Credit, and it should run for longer than planned. He also called for the government to seriously consider a ‘job guarantee’ scheme of some sort, which proved very effective in the Future Jobs Fund launched in 2009 after the last financial crash.

Speaking at the event, Stephen said: “To tackle the long-term impact of this pandemic on our young people, we will need to see a concerted national effort – from government, to employers, to the charitable sector. That is why I am delighted that the Learning and Work institute have hosted this important event alongside HSBC, The Prince’s Trust, and those of us in the House of Commons.”

Stephen joins calls to ban asbestos in Ukraine

Stephen has joined his Labour colleagues, Ian Lavery MP, Mick Antoniw, Member of the Welsh Parliament and Anas Sarwar, Leader of the Scottish Labour Party in writing to the Head of Ukrainian Parliament, Dmytro Razumkov. The letter asks that Ukraine take action to ban the use of asbestos.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous material which is mined. Several forms are recognised but all are dangerous to health following inhalation of fibres. It is well known that there is a long latent period between exposure and development of disease. Use of asbestos has been widespread in the industrialised world since the mid-nineteenth century, particularly in the shipbuilding and construction industries.

The banning asbestos in Ukraine has been caught up in a geopolitical conflict over the country’s quest to join the European Union and the determination of Russia to prevent it from doing so.

The letter states “…[we] whole-heartedly endorse Ukraine’s determination to protect its citizens by ending asbestos use…[and] look forward to engaging in future discussions with you.”

You can read the letter here.