Stephen welcomes announcement on Online Safety Bill

Credit: Glenn Carstens-Peters, Unsplash

Stephen has welcomed the announcement from the Government that the forthcoming Online Safety Bill is to impose a new legal duty on social media platforms and search engines to crackdown on scam adverts.

The Work and Pensions Committee, which Stephen chairs, first called for a crackdown on online fraud in its report on pension scams in March last year. In its response, the Government rejected the recommendation that financial online harms should be included in the Bill.

In December, a joint committee published a report on the draft Bill, which is due to be introduced to Parliament this year.

Speaking about the announcement, Stephen said: "We are pleased that nearly 12 months after we first called for the inclusion of paid-for adverts in the proposed legislation, the Government has finally taken this important first step to protect people online from the devastating financial and psychological harm that scams have been causing.

“Over the last year, the Committee, along with a growing number of voices from Parliament and beyond, have been warning of the pernicious effects of online scams. It is only right that those internet giants, which have been profiting from hosting fraudulent adverts, should be compelled to take action. We look forward to seeing more details on how the proposals will work when the Bill is introduced to Parliament."

Statement about Ukraine

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Like many residents in East Ham, I am deeply troubled by the desperate situation in Ukraine.

The UNHCR has estimated that over 1.7 million people have had to leave Ukraine, particularly mothers and children. The majority of people want to stay in the region, but others are looking to travel further afield. The UK must play its part in offering protection to those who want to come here.

I have been in touch with a number of constituents in recent weeks who are looking to bring family members to the UK. Unfortunately, the Home Office has been trying to respond to the crisis through the existing visa system, with just limited changes. That is totally wrong and fails to recognise the gravity of the crisis or the urgency of the situation. It has led to the shameful situation of family members fleeing war in Europe being asked for their finances or their English language skills, elderly parents being turned away in Paris, and Ministers even suggesting that Ukrainians should use the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Visa to come to the UK. 

I am hopeful that Ministers will soon set out a clear, simple route to sanctuary in the UK for people fleeing Ukraine. At the moment there is a huge gap between their rhetoric and the reality of those trying to make their way here.

Many Ukrainian relatives of UK residents are still not able to come here. These include family members of people here on work, study and visitor visas. It also excludes those who came here on UK Spouse Visas who would be unable to bring over family members. Nevertheless, I would urge any constituent with relatives in Ukraine to contact me as soon as possible to see if I can do anything to help. Please click here should you wish to get in touch.

Stephen responds to Government's higher education proposals

Credit: UEL, Stephen Timms

Stephen has released a joint statement with the University of East London on the Government’s proposed reforms to higher education.

On 24 February, the Education Secretary announced a package of reforms as part of the Government’s response to the Augar Review of Post-18 Education, which made 53 recommendations for the sector in May 2019. The Department for Education is running a consultation on introducing minimum GCSE and A-level grade requirements for students to qualify for a loan.

Stephen, along with the Vice-Chancellor and President of UEL - Professor Amanda Broderick - have released a joint statement outlining their concerns with these proposals. Stephen has said “it is important that universities continue to be a pipeline to success for the local area. They should be able to level up opportunity for students and the local community. Instead, the Government is treating them as a political battleground.”

You can read Stephen and Amanda’s full statement here.

Stephen asks Government again to introduce Alternative Student Finance

On Monday 21 February, Stephen spoke in the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill's Remaining Stages debate and pressed the Government to introduce shariah-compliant student finance.

A significant number of Muslim young people do not apply to study at university because the only form of student finance available involves payment of interest, which is not shariah-compliant. In 2014, the Government consulted on Alternative Student Finance for students and committed to offering support for students who feel unable to take interest-bearing loans for religious reasons.

In December 2021, the Government said it has been considering an Alternative Student Finance product, within wider reforms to Higher Education. An update is expected alongside the conclusion to the Review of Post-18 Education and Funding.

In the House of Commons on Monday, Stephen explained how this delay to introduce Alternative Student Finance is impacting thousands of Muslim young people, who wish to study at university but are being prevented from doing so. He said “some Muslim young people defer university until they have saved to pay the fees outright. Some, with a very heavy heart, take out a loan and feel bad about it ever after. Some do not attend at all. This is the reality facing young British Muslims today.”

You can watch Stephen’s full speech below.

Stephen urges the Prime Minister to reform Statutory Sick Pay

On Monday 21 February, the Prime Minster gave a statement to the House of Commons on Living with Covid-19. Stephen urged him to improve Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).

During the pandemic, SSP was available from day one of isolating from Covid-19. In other cases, it is paid when the employee is sick for at least four days in a row. A recent survey of over 2,000 workers in England and Wales found that 20% of those who could not work while isolating did not receive sick pay or wages. SSP is not currently available to everyone, meaning that millions of people did not receive it during the pandemic.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Stephen reminded the Prime Minister that the Government have postponed reforms to SSP because of the pandemic. He then asked “will he now bring forward the much-needed and long-delayed reforms to Statutory Sick Pay?”

You can watch Stephen’s full question - and the Prime Minister’s response - below.

Stephen hosts Royal College of Midwives’ reception

Stephen has hosted a reception for the Royal College of Midwives in Parliament.  The event saw the launch of the RCM pocket guide on caring for vulnerable migrant women.

Over 82 million people were forcibly displaced globally by the end of 2020, driven mainly by conflict. Stephen heard how migrant women face myriad challenges, including violence, exploitation, FGM, and mental health problems. In the context of Afghanistan and Ukraine, RCM’s work is more relevant than ever. Women are disproportionately affected by these conflicts and are forced to flee without warning.

Stephen was pleased to introduce the event, and listened to experts such as Dr Ross-Davie, Director of Professional Midwifery at the Royal College of Midwives, Memuna Sowe, Specialist Midwife (vulnerable and marginalised women) at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, and Naomi Delap, Director at the Birth Companions charity. A key theme was migrant women’s access to pregnancy care.

Speaking afterwards, Stephen said “A woman’s immigration status should never be a deciding factor on whether she can access pregnancy care, but for some women this is the case. This is shameful.”

You can read a copy of the guidance here.

Stephen raises East London Family Court delays with Government

On 8 February, Stephen spoke in the House of Commons about delays in the East London Family Court and asked the Government to help.

The Magistrates Court, based in Westferry Circus, has the longest delays in London, with families facing a minimum wait of seven months for a hearing. There are plans to tackle the backlog by transferring some East London postcodes to the family courts in Central and West London, but the move has not yet begun.

During Justice Questions in Parliament, Stephen raised this with the Justice Minister. He asked “when are we finally going to see some progress on this? Do we not need additional court capacity?” The Minster responded with an offer to meet with Stephen.

You can watch Stephen’s full question, and the Minister’s response, below.

Stephen presses Government on the cost of living

Stephen has spoken in the House of Commons about the cost of living, benefit levels and pension awareness.

On Monday 7 February, MPs debated social security and pensions. Stephen urged the Government to uprate benefits in line with the rapidly rising inflation rates and explained how households are struggling with the cost of living. He reminded the House that the Work and Pensions Select Committee, which he chairs, called on the Government to extend the temporary increase of £20 a week to Universal Credit for at least a year. This call was rejected.

During his speech, Stephen also spoke about the low rates of pension credit take-up - with six out of 10 of those entitled to pension credit actually claiming it.

Speaking in the chamber, Stephen said “I very much welcome the debate we have had this afternoon about what is the appropriate level for increasing benefits in this very difficult time. Like others, I would say to the Government: ‘you are going to have to go further’.”

You can watch Stephen’s full speech below.

Stephen raises disabled people's trust with the Government

During Work and Pension questions in the House of Commons on Monday 7 February, Stephen asked the Secretary of State what steps she is taking to build trust with disabled people.

The Work and Pensions Select Committee, which Stephen chairs, was forced to publish research the DWP had commissioned from the National Centre for Social and Economic Research (NatCen), which falls within the Government’s own protocol for publication. The report focuses on the disabled people’s experiences of the benefits system.

Speaking in Parliament, Stephen said “the DWP’s own Social Security Advisory Committee highlighted just over a year ago the serious problem: disabled people do not trust the department. Burying the NatCen report in breach of the cross-governmental protocol has made matters worse.”

You can watch Stephen’s full question, and the Minister’s response, below.

Stephen visits Links Studios in Canning Town

On Friday 28 January, Stephen visited the newly opened Links Studio, which is based in Community Links on Barking Road.

The studio was opened last July by Ronnie Wood from the Rolling Stones. It is purpose-built, with state of the art equipment and is used to host a variety of workshops for young people. Links Studios also offer Level 2 qualifications for young people aged 11-19 in music technology and sound engineering, with English and maths woven into the courses.

During the visit, Stephen was given a tour of the studios and listened to some tracks produced, written and played by the students. Speaking afterwards, he said: “young people have been hit hard by the pandemic. They face huge obstacles to finding work now, but new opportunities are opening up too. Links Studios opens doors for youngsters, and offers an alternative route forward.

I enjoyed hearing during my visit about the range of programmes Links Studios offer, from music production to podcast workshops. It was great to meet the education and pastoral team and hear about how they support local young people. I applaud their work, giving local people great opportunities to explore their creativity and develop their passions.”

Stephen signs Holocaust Educational Trust Book of Commitment

Stephen has signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment, in doing so pledging his commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day and honouring those who were murdered during the Holocaust as well as paying tribute to the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people today.

This year we are marking 77 years since the liberation of the concentration camps of Europe and the end of the Second World War. On the 27th January, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, people across the globe will remember.

In the lead up to and on Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events will be arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across the country, remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. The theme for this year’s commemorations is ‘One Day’.

After signing the Book of Commitment, Stephen commented: “Holocaust Memorial Day is an important opportunity for people from East Ham to reflect on the darkest times of European history. As the Holocaust moves from living history, to history, it becomes ever more important that we take the time to remember the six million Jewish victims and also pay tribute to the survivors.”

Karen Pollock CBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, added: “As the Holocaust fades from living memory, it falls on all of us to ensure that their stories and the stories of the 6 Jewish million men, women and children brutally murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators, are never forgotten. We all have a duty to remember the Holocaust and to stand up against antisemitism and hate, now more than ever.”

Stephen urges Government to tackle economic crime

On Wednesday 26 January, Stephen spoke in the House of Commons about the increase in fraud and pressed the Government to introduce an economic crime Bill.

The Government was asked to make a statement on plans to bring forward an economic crime Bill. This followed claims by Lord Agnew that they had dropped this Bill from the legislation due in the next parliamentary session. Lord Agnew resigned as a Treasury Minister on 24 January.

Speaking in the chamber, Stephen said “the current growth of economic crime and corruption pose an existential threat to financial services - one of our biggest and most successful business sectors - and therefore the UK economy as a whole.”

You can watch Stephen’s full question and the Minister’s response below.

Stephen attends Open Doors report launch

Stephen has attended the launch of the Open Doors World Watch List. It is an annual report on the persecution of Christians around the world.

Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors UK and Ireland, shared key trends from the World Watch List, and that Afghanistan was now number one - despite persecution having got worse in North Korea, previously number one since 2002. "The Taliban are actively hunting Christians to eliminate them," she said. "If Christian men are discovered, they are almost always killed. If Christian women and girls are found, they are given to Taliban fighters as the spoils of war."

MPs also heard that the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan has in turn encouraged jihadist activity across the world, from Boko Harem in Chad & Niger in West Africa to Al-Shabaab in East Africa.

Speaking afterwards, Stephen said: “This report notes that the persecution of Christians has reached its highest level since the Watch List began. This is deeply troubling.

“Members from across the House of Commons must continue to advocate for adoption of the Truro Report and for the rights of Christians around the world to practice their faith.”

Stephen presses Foreign Secretary on Somaliland independence

Stephen has written to the Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, outlining the case for recognising Somaliland as an independent state. The letter followed a debate in the House of Commons.

Stephen has long-supported Somaliland in its struggle for international recognition. In the thirty years since its declaration of independence, the country has shown itself to be capable of running itself as a democratic nation state. It has established its own currency, held free and fair elections, and formed successive Governments.

In his letter to Liz Truss, Stephen noted that Somaliland has been held back by its union with Somalia, and its lack of international recognition. He pointed out that the country has been able to hold free and fair elections, establish its own currency and form its own Government.

Speaking about his letter, Stephen said: “The lack of international recognition has caused problems for Somaliland. They have not been afforded a voice when it comes to fighting global warming, an issue it is greatly affected by. Somaliland has also been barred barred from the international institutions and forums where states interact. This in turn prevents it from accessing grants or loans from the World Bank, the IMF, or the UN. 

“It is arguably now more representative of a functioning nation state than Somalia itself! I hope the Foreign Secretary will agree with me.”

Stephen visits Newham Community Project

Stephen has visited Newham Community Project which is helping families who are struggling because they have the No Recourse To Public Funds condition attached to their visa.

The No Recourse To Public Funds condition means individuals are unable to claim most benefits, tax credits or housing assistance that are paid by the state. These include: income-based jobseeker’s allowance; income support; child tax credit; universal credit; working tax credit; child benefit; and housing benefit. Last year, a report by the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants found the that policy was pushing families into “abject poverty” and forcing them into unsustainable debt and into homelessness or unsafe, overcrowded, insecure housing.

Newham Community Project has seen a stark increase in the numbers of families accessing food banks – with a huge increase over the last eight weeks. The charity estimates that it gave out over 500 winter food parcels already this week. The foodpacks contain essential groceries such as fruit, vegetable bags, bread, eggs and milk. Those with young children are also given nappies, baby toiletries and baby food.

Speaking after the visit, Stephen said: “I have repeatedly pressed the government to lift the ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ restriction – which prevents many families who live and work legally in the UK from claiming Universal Credit if they have to stop work – for the duration of the pandemic. I applaud Newham Community Project. But it can’t be right for the government to wash its hands of the fate of so many young people.”

Stephen’s comments were echoed by Elyas Ismail, Chief Operating Officer, Newham Community Project, who said: “Hunger and poverty remain very much at large, and we provide food and necessities to help support those with no recourse to public funds, facing vulnerability and destitution. Organisations like Islamic Relief UK make this possible.”

Stephen forces publication of DWP report

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The Work and Pensions Select Committee, which Stephen chairs, has repeatedly asked the Department for Work and Pensions to public research it commissioned from the National Centre for Social and Economic Research (NatCen) on disabled people’s experiences of the benefits system.

The DWP received the evidence in September 2020. The Work and Pensions Secretary, Thérèse Coffey, has previously said she had “no intention” of publishing it because she was “protecting a private space for policy development”.

According to the Government’s protocol on publicly funded social research, the report should have been published before the end of 2020. The Work and Pensions Select Committee has now used its powers to order NatCen to hand over to it a copy of the research, so that they can publish it.

Speaking about the development, Stephen said: “After repeated obstruction from the Secretary of State to keep from public view a piece of work that falls within the Government’s own protocol for publication, we have reached the end of the road.

“We would have much rather the DWP had done the right thing and published the report itself, so it is with regret that we must now take the highly unusual step of using our parliamentary powers to obtain a copy from NatCen and publish it ourselves. We have been forced to do this to ensure that the reality of disabled people’s experiences of the benefits system can see the light of day.”

Stephen presses Government on compensation for unpaid benefit claimants

Stephen has spoken in Parliament on ensuring benefit claimants who were affected by processing errors at the Department for Work and Pensions are fully compensated.

In 2018, the Department for Work and Pensions was forced to pay arrears to 118,000 people, after it emerged that there was an error in benefit transfers. The Public Health Service Ombudsman has recently released a report on a complaint from one claimant, who is seeking further compensation following the error.

On 13 January, an urgent question was raised in the House of Commons: "to ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if she will make a statement on the historic underpayment of benefits to 118,000 benefit claimants and their plans for compensation." During the debate, Stephen raised the physical and mental toll this error has had on victims and asked if interest payments would be included in compensation. He also invited the Department for Work and Pensions to report back to the Work and Pensions Select Committee, which he chairs.

During the statement, Stephen said: “in this particular report, the Ombudsman has found that the failing had a “severe effect on [the claimant’s] existing mental and physical health problems.” No doubt the same would have been true for quite a number of the other 118,000 people affected, so will the Department proactively work out who should be getting compensation?”

You can watch Stephen’s full contribution, and the Minister’s response, below.

Stephen raises plight of leaseholders trapped in unsafe buildings

During a statement to the House of Commons on 10 January, Stephen pressed Michael Gove - the Secretary of State for Housing - on the Government’s plans to support those trapped in unsafe housing.

The Government has announced new plans to help protect leaseholders trapped in dangerous buildings. Developers will now be made responsible for the costs of removing flammable cladding. During his statement, Michael Gove confirmed that building firms will now be expected to fix dangerous cladding in buildings higher than 11m by March.

It remains unclear whether leaseholders will still be expected to shoulder the cost of other fire safety defects and interim measures, such as firebreaks, alarms and waking watch personnel.

Stephen pressed Michael Gove on this during his statement and asked “will the Minister spell out how the statutory protection he has announced will help leaseholders in developments like Waterside Park, built by Barratt in my constituency, where there is not a cladding problem, but the apartments have become valueless because of other serious building defects?”

You can watch Stephen’s full question, and the Minister’s response, below.

Stephen presses Government on Afghan citizens resettlement scheme

On Thursday 6 January, Stephen spoke in the House of Commons about family reunion in the UK for those fleeing persecution and danger in Afghanistan.

Following the withdrawal of NATO troops in Afghanistan last summer, the Taliban have returned to power and the UK concluded its evacuation flights from Kabul shortly after. On 18 August, the UK Government announced that the Afghan citizens resettlement scheme would be established to allow those "who have been forced to flee their home or face threats of persecution from the Taliban" to "set up home in the UK permanently." Through the scheme, the Government aims to help 5,000 Afghan nationals resettle in the UK in the first year, and 20,000 Afghan nationals in the long-term.

In a statement to the House of Commons, the Minister for Afghan Resettlement - Victoria Atkins - announced the opening of the scheme. Stephen asked her to ensure Afghans coming to the UK are placed near their families.

Speaking in the chamber, Stephen said “will every effort be made to place people arriving from Afghanistan who do have close family here wanting to help them, in temporary accommodation close to their relatives?”

You can watch Stephen’s full question, and the Minister’s response, below.

Stephen congratulates co-founders of Money A+E on MBEs

Stephen has praised Greg Ashby and Jerry During, the co-founders of MoneyA&E, after they were awarded MBEs for services to Disadvantaged People and Social Enterprise in the New Years Honours list.

MoneyA&E - which began in 2011 - provides a free expert one-to-one debt, benefits and money advice service. It also offers money management workshops for young people and adults to build long-term financial resilience.

Greg and Jerry were inspired to set up MoneyA&E by their experiences of debt and exclusion when growing up in Newham. The pair were motivated to become money advisors after observing that East London had few organisation which helped residents effectively manage their money. Thanks to their efforts, MoneyA+E’s service reached 1,629 people last year, supporting individuals to manage £2.7 million of debt. They also put £526,000 back into the pockets of those struggling financially.

Speaking about the honours, Stephen, who is a member of MoneyA&E’s advisory board, said: “I am delighted that Jerry and Greg have been honoured in the New Year list.  Their awards are well deserved, reflecting hard work and tireless commitment. 

“Recognising a pressing need, they have built MoneyA&E from scratch into an institution benefiting our whole community.  The MBEs are a feather in Newham’s cap too.”