Stephen attends a Citizens Advice drop-in on the cost-of-living crisis

Last week, Stephen attended a drop-in event run by Citizens Advice to discuss how the cost-of-living crisis is impacting people in East Ham.

At the cost-of-living drop-in, Citizens Advice made clear that the cost of living crisis is far from over. Citizens Advice helped more than 200,000 people with crisis support, such as food bank referrals, in 2022. In January and February 2023, however, they helped more people with crisis support than in the first two months of any other year.

“Citizens Advice is an excellent organisation that has helped 210 of my constituents with cost-of-living issues in the last three months alone,” Stephen said. “But they are fighting an uphill battle without more government support. I will continue to urge the government to raise the Local Housing Allowance and to offer more support to households during this crisis.”

Citizens Advice is a charitable organisation that helps people with legal, debt, consumer, and housing problems in the UK. You can contact Citizens Advice or Stephen for help with welfare, housing, immigration, and debt issues.

Stephen criticises the government's handling of welfare debts

Stephen has criticised the government for rejecting the Work and Pensions Select Committee’s recommendation that universal credit deductions should be paused during the cost-of-living crisis. Over a million people had their monthly payments reduced as the government pursues debts from past overpayments that are often due to HMRC’s own errors.

Data from the Department for Work and Pensions show that last year 1.3 million universal credit claimants had their benefits docked because of past tax credit overpayments. Many of the debts the government is claiming were due to the government’s own mistakes, with claimants often unaware they owe money until it is deducted from their payments. The government has also threatened families with debt collectors.

Speaking to Sky News, Stephen said, “[it is] causing real hardship for people. My select committee, which is an all-party committee with a Conservative majority, recommended that the government should pause these deductions while inflation is running at its current level.” The government rejected the Work and Pension Select Committee’s recommendation.

Tax credits were introduced in 1999 by Labour to offer support to parents and low income households. In 2014, the Treasury and DWP agreed that debts from tax credit over payments would be transferred onto universal credit as tax credits were phased out.

Stephen joins the National Day of Reflection with Marie Curie

Stephen marked this year’s National Day of Reflection at an event run by Marie Curie in Parliament.

The National Day of Reflection is a Marie Curie-led initiative to remember those who have died and support those who mourn, which occurs every 23 March. Many workplaces and schools mark the Day with a minute’s silence at 12 noon. It aims to encourage communities to discuss bereavement, death, and dying openly.

There were 8,955 bereavements in Newham alone in 2021. Over a quarter of bereaved adults surveyed by the UK Commission on Bereavement received no support from family and nearly half received no support from friends.

“It was sobering to join Marie Curie for this year’s National Day of Reflection,” Stephen said after the event. “We all face bereavement during our lives. We should be able to discuss grief openly and support those mourning in our community.”

If you are experiencing bereavement, Marie Curie offers a free dedicated bereavement service. They also offer support for those with a terminal illness or caring for someone with a terminal illness.

Stephen pledges to #EndTheWait for young people’s mental health

Stephen has met with young people from leading mental health charity, YoungMinds, at an event in support of their #EndTheWait campaign.

The campaign is calling for action to tackle the escalating crisis in young people’s mental health. As part of the campaign, MPs were invited to meet with young people to hear first-hand about their experiences of waiting for mental health support. The Minister for Mental Health, Maria Caulfield and a young person with lived experience of mental ill health also spoke at the event.

Research shows that:

• More than a quarter of young people have tried to end their lives while waiting for mental health support.

• Over 40% waited more than a month for mental health support after seeking it.

• Nearly half a million young people are being referred for mental health problems every month, with many not being able to get the support they need.3

The #EndTheWait campaign is calling for changes to be made to improve support for young people’s mental health, including ensuring that more young people get seen by NHS services within four weeks of referral.

Speaking afterwards, Stephen said: “My constituents often tell me what a big issue children and young people’s mental health is for them and their families. Yesterday I met with young people and we spoke about what it is like to wait for support. Their story must be heard which is why I am supporting #EndTheWait.”

Stephen objects to further expansion of London City Airport

Stephen has written to the Director of Planning and Development at the London Borough of Newham objecting to weekend flights being allowed at London City Airport.

As vice-Chair and then Chair of Newham’s Planning Committee in 1986 and 1987, Stephen negotiated the original planning permission, with a 24 hour closure from Saturday lunchtime to Sunday lunchtime.  He has always regarded that as a key protection for local residents, and does not believe it should now be dropped.

Speaking about his letter, Stephen said “I do not object to some increase in the number of flights at the airport.  I agree, however, with some of the strong objections to the proposals to extend the opening hours of the airport to 6 pm on Saturday.“

You can read Stephen’s letter here.

Stephen raises concerns about proposed benefit changes

Credit: Sarah Agnew, Unsplash

Stephen has raised concerns about the lack of clarity around proposed benefit changes recently announced by Ministers.

The Government plans to streamline health and disability benefits. But crucial details with “fundamental questions” on how people will be protected are lacking, Stephen said. He also cautioned that the reforms s could see a “fair number of people” missing out on benefits who would otherwise have been eligible, unless the changes were enacted with caution.

Under the changes, the work capability assessment (WCA) for determining benefit payments will be replaced with the existing personal independence payment (PIP) system – which is used to decide what day-to-day help a disabled person might need. Stephen said he was concerned about how people who are eligible for health-related benefits – but not PIP – will be identified without the usual assessments.

Speaking about the proposed changes, Stephen said: “They are saying if you have PIP you will get the health element of universal credit, so that’s clear. But there’s another group of people who are not on PIP who have always been entitled to health support. The question is, how is the Government going to work out who these people are? That’s the job the WCA has done up until now. It’s a mystery. I just don’t know what the Government is thinking here.”

He continued “I’m puzzled about that because it appears the Government intends to legislate next year. If you are planning legislation in 12 months’ time, then pretty soon you have got to have a clear idea of what this thing is going to look like. Why these kind of very fundamental questions don’t appear to have been answered I don’t know.”

A Government spokesperson said: “The Health and Disability White Paper commits to removing the financial disincentives that exist within the current system by scrapping the Work Capability Assessment, improving support and the experience for people when applying for and receiving benefits.”

Stephen speaks in the Budget Debate

This afternoon, Stephen spoke in the debate on yesterday’s Spring Budget. He welcomed the government’s changes to childcare support for people using Universal Credit and the Health and Disability White Paper, while criticising the government for removing the lifetime allowance on pensions.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, delivered the government’s Spring Budget yesterday. The Chancellor raised the amount parents on Universal Credit can claim for childcare from £646 to £951 for a single child and announced that the government would pay costs upfront rather than in arrears. Stephen welcomed both these changes. The Work and Pensions Select Committee, which Stephen chairs, previously recommended them.

However, Stephen was critical of the Chancellor’s plans to remove the lifetime allowance on pensions. The lifetime allowance is the total amount a person can save in their pension before it is taxed. Analysis by the Resolution Foundation shows scrapping the lifetime allowance benefits the top 10% of earners by £370 on average but has no effect on those in the bottom half. Speaking in the debate, Stephen said,“the Chancellor, when times are hard, has decided to give another billion to the wealthiest in pensions tax relief!”

Stephen also cautiously welcomed the government’s Health and Disability White Paper. The White Paper suggests changes to the welfare system to help people with disabilities and long-term ill health find work. Stephen welcomed the removal of work capability assessments, saying “nobody will mourn [them].” But he urged the government to improve Personal Independence Payments (PIP), which often “come up with the wrong answer,” and to target the gap in employment between disabled and non-disabled people.

Stephen asks about the execution of Hussein Abo Al-Kheir

This morning, Stephen asked the government why the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, had not intervened to stop the execution of Hussein Abo Al-Kheir by the Saudi Arabian government.

Hussein Abo Al-Kheir was executed on 12 March 2023. He was arrested by Saudi Arabia in 2014 and sentenced to death in 2017. His trial was widely condemned by international organisations due to the alleged use of torture to extract a confession.

Stephen asked,“why did the Foreign Secretary himself not make representations to stop this execution given that that approach has succeeded in the past?” Leo Docherty, speaking for the government, promised “energetic ministerial attention was given to this.”

Stephen asks the government about changes to the Work Capability Assessment

Today, Stephen asked the Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove, about the government’s plans to scrap the Work Capability Assessment.

People suffering from long-term ill health or disability must take the Work Capability Assessment to be deemed eligible for Employment Support Allowance. Claimants often find the assessment stressful, burdensome and invasive. The government announced it would scrap the assessment in a White Paper released yesterday, but promised “a new personalised health conditionality approach.”

Asking about the new approach, Stephen said, “that sounds like a new assessment of some kind. Can [the minister] tell us what it means?” Tom Pursglove, Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, promised to “delve into those reforms” when he is questioned by the Work and Pensions Select Committee, which Stephen chairs.

Stephen urges the government to increase support for private renters

Yesterday, Stephen pushed the government to increase the Local Housing Allowance to support private renters facing soaring rents.

The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is used to calculate the housing benefit that private renters receive, based on rents in their local area. The government froze the LHA in April 2020. Rents have risen on average 4% since then. In 2022, 57% of private renters reliant on housing benefit paid more in rent than they received in support. Crisis, a homelessness charity, claims “[the freeze] means people are stuck in temporary accommodation, unable to move on from homelessness.”

“[Raising rates] would benefit the public purse by over £2 billion because it would avoid councils resorting to more costly temporary accommodation,” Stephen said in a debate in parliament on the issue. “The government must stop turning a blind eye to this very, very serious problem.”

Stephen presses for action on excessive insurance charges imposed on leaseholders

On 14 March, Stephen pressed the government for action to reduce the excessive insurance charges faced by many leaseholders.

Leaseholders often pay their property owner or managing agent to cover building insurance costs. Parliament passed legislation in 2022 to make leasehold buildings safer, including removing unsafe cladding. Many leaseholders are faced with extortionate insurance charges while they wait for the improvements. Some residents in East Ham are having to pay an extra £5,000 on top of last year’s bill.

Stephen raised the issue with Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, in a letter on 13 January. He raised it again with the Secretary of State in Parliament on 30 January. Today, Stephen pressed Michael Gove for an update and a response to his previous communication.

Speaking in Parliament, Stephen said that the Secretary of State “promised additional Financial Conduct Authority and government coordinated action to address [excessive insurance charges]. Can he update us on progress?” In reply, Michael Gove apologised for his failure to respond to Stephen and promised to update the House shortly.

Stephen shows support for pet owners at RSPCA cost of living event

Stephen has attended an RSPCA cost of living advice event at the House of Commons to better understand how to support struggling constituents and their pets.

The RSPCA is working hard to keep pets in loving homes as the cost of living crisis continues to bite. But as the number of abandonments soar, the animal welfare charity has asked MPs to reach out and support local pet owners.

Speaking at the event, Stpehen said: “I’m proud to support the RSPCA and I will be doing my bit to ensure that the right help, support and information is available to all of my constituents in East Ham. The cost of living crisis is taking its toll on us all and we must all help each other through this difficult time.

“It was wonderful to hear about the cost of living assistance the RSPCA is offering - including financial support for many organisations, a dedicated cost of living hub and a new helpline - and I will be sure to relay this to my constituents.

“It was devastating to find out that almost 80 percent of RSPCA rescue officers have reported seeing animals suffering as a result of the cost of living crisis. I would urge anyone who is struggling with pet care and the cost of living crisis to use the resources the RSPCA has on offer to get the support they need. Keeping pets in loving homes is a definite priority and I am keen to help signpost to places of support.”

Harriet Main, public affairs manager at the RSPCA, added: “We’re really pleased that Stephen attended our drop-in event to find out how he can support his constituents with pet care during the cost of living crisis. Now is a time where compassion and support are needed the most, so it was wonderful to see so many influential and eager to help faces at our event.”

Pet owners can find a range of practical help and advice on the RSPCA’s cost of living hub. The charity has also launched a dedicated phone line for those looking for support (0300 123 0650).

Stephen asks for an urgent update on the pensions dashboard

On 6 March, Stephen asked the Department for Work and Pensions for an update on when the pensions dashboard will be launched.

The pensions dashboard is an online tool that will allow people to view information about their pensions, including their State Pension, online. It will give people more knowledge about their savings and help them find their lost pension pots. 31 August was originally the first connection deadline. However, the government announced they were delaying its launch without offering a new deadline.

Speaking at DWP questions, Stephen asked if the delay was one “of weeks or months or even longer” to a service that would “offer important support”. Laura Trott, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Pensions, promised to “come back to the house at the earliest opportunity.”

Stephen asks for further support for MND carers

Stephen has written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care asking him to commit to an urgent review of carers’ assessments, highlighting a lack of support for many carers of people with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Research by the MND Association found many carers are physically and mentally exhausted. A carer’s assessment is usually the first step to a carer gaining additional support. Yet only 25% of carers of people with MND have received or are in the process of having an assessment and 40% are unaware that they have a statutory right to an assessment. Stephen’s letter urges the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to launch a review of carers’ assessments to ensure carers get the support they need.

“People caring for loved ones suffering MND should not be left exhausted, poorer, or unable to juggle the demands of work and parenting due to their selfless act,” Stephen said. “A carer’s assessment is a statutory right. The government must act to ensure carers are offered suitable support that understands the needs of MND patients.”

MND is a fatal disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It leaves people unable to move, talk, and eventually breathe. The family of those suffering MND often take on the majority of the caring responsibilities.

Stephen calls for action on no fault evictions

Stephen has today written to the Prime Minister asking that ministers restate their commitment to scrapping Section 21 no fault evictions.

Section 21 means landlords can evict renters without a reason, leaving the renters with only two months’ notice to find a new home. A number of constituents have written to Stephen expressing concern that the government might u-turn on its manifesto commitment to end such practices. In his letter, Stephen asked the Prime Minister for an update on the progress of legislation removing Section 21.

Speaking about the letter, Stephen said “In my surgeries, I regularly meet constituents facing eviction and homelessness as a result of Section 21. No fault eviction gives landlords the upper hand and often silences tenants, who fear losing their home if they complain. The government needs to take urgent action and scrap such practices.”

The government published a White Paper on Renters’ Reform last summer and said a Bill would be presented to the Commons in 2023.

Stephen calls on Government to strengthen housing support

On Monday 6 February, MPs debated 'social security and pensions.' Stephen spoke on the recent inquiry by the Select Committee for Work and Pensions, which he chairs, and urged the Government to strength the social security safety net, particularly through increasing Local Housing Allowance (LHA).

In November 2022, benefits were uprated in line with inflation, but LHA remained frozen at rates set before the pandemic. Stephen argued that the Government should take another look at LHA levels to prevent a further surge in the number of rough sleepers.

Speaking in the chamber, Stephen said: “Ministers say they are committed to ending rough sleeping, but this policy is driving an increase in rough sleeping…we are a very, very long way from providing an adequate social security safety net.”

You can watch Stephen’s full speech below.

Stephen urges transparency in DWP

On Wednesday 1 February, there was a Back Bench Business debate in the House of Commons on raising the State Pension Age to 68. Stephen spoke about the need for transparency in DWP in order to properly inform considerations on state pension age.

As required by a 2014 law, the Government is set to undertake a review of the State Pension Age. Current Government policy is to bring the increase to 68 forward to 2037, but recent reports suggest Ministers are now considering bringing the date further forward to 2035 to reduce public expenditure.

During the debate on this matter, Stephen argued that the Department for Work and Pensions must be properly equipped with the right evidence when making this decision, such as life expectancy rates - since 2017 evidence has emerged that average life expectancy has stalled for women and declined for men.

Speaking in Parliament, Stephen said “preventing public discussion no doubt has the benefit of allowing Ministers to avoid having to answer difficult questions, but it has the disastrous drawback of worsening policy outcomes. The policy cannot be informed by public debate before the decisions are made, because the evidence that would allow a debate is not available.”

You can watch Stephen’s full speech below.

Stephen hosts Q&A with Sandringham Primary School

On Thursday 26 January, students from Sandringham Primary School visited Parliament for a tour, along with Head Teacher Robert Cleary. They also had the opportunity to ask Stephen some questions.

Stephen and the students discussed laws which the Government could introduce. Some suggested introducing more legislation to tackle poaching of endangered animals and others wanted to see laws prohibiting smoking.

The group also discussed ways to improve their local community, including through reducing pollution and fly-tipping. The Q&A session concluded with a lively debate on whether students should spend more or less time in school!

Speaking after the session, Stephen said “I very much enjoyed answering the students’ questions and hearing about their suggestions to tackle air pollution and littering. I thank them for the work they are doing on behalf of their fellow pupils and look forward to visiting Sandringham Primary School in the next few months.”

Stephen signs Holocaust Educational Trust Book of Commitment

This week, Stephen pledged his commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day by signing the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment.

The 27 January marks Holocaust Memorial Day as the anniversary of the liberation of the infamous former Nazi concentration and death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, in 1945. In the lead up to Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events have been arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across the country, remembering the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. The theme for this year’s commemorations is ‘Ordinary People’.

After signing the book, Stephen said “Holocaust Memorial Day is an important opportunity to honour those who were murdered during the Holocaust, as well as paying tribute to the extraordinary survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people today.”

Stephen hosts launch of Open Doors' World Watch List report

On Wednesday 18 January, Stephen hosted a Parliamentary reception to launch Open Doors’ World Watch List report.

Open Doors have produced a list of the thirty most dangerous countries for Christians. North Korea is the most dangerous and the report shows a clear and developing trend of concentrated intolerance in Sub-Saharan Africa. The situation in Nigeria is particularly perilous for Christians.

At the launch event, three speakers from North Korea, East Africa and Central India gave an account of their personal experiences of facing persecution for their faith. Several MPs from across all parties attended.

Speaking after the event, Stephen said “I applaud Open Doors for commissioning this powerful, albeit sobering, research. The persecution of Christians, or any other religious group, is entirely unacceptable.  Here in the UK, we are privileged to be able to express our religious beliefs without fear of persecution. We therefore have a responsibility to be a voice for those who don’t enjoy the same freedom elsewhere.”