Stephen criticises the Government's approach to welfare spending

Today, Stephen led an Estimates Day debate on the Government’s estimates for spending on social security this financial year. Stephen criticised the Government for multiple failings in the welfare system that leave people poorer and less able to work.

“The security is absent from social security,” Stephen said as he argued that the welfare system suffers shortfalls such as the five-week wait, two-child limit, and inadequate benefit levels.

Under the five-week wait and two-child limit, claimants of Universal Credit, the UK’s main benefit, must wait five weeks to receive their first payment and can only receive support for a maximum of two children. These policies drive people into rental arrears, debt, and food bank reliance.

Research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has also shown that the standard allowance of Universal Credit is at least £35 per week less than the minimum amount claimants need to cover essential spending on food, toiletries, and utilities.

Stephen raised all these issues in his speech, as well as addressing the Cost of Living Payments and unsafe asbestos in workplaces.

The Department for Work and Pensions is the highest spending government department: it is predicted to spend £279.3 billion this financial year. Most of its spending is on state pensions. Estimates Day debates allow MPs to discuss the Government’s predictions of its spending.

Stephen asks Minister to end experiments on animals

Stephen has written a letter to the Secretary of State, Therese Coffey, asking the government to end experiments on animals.

In recent weeks, Stephen has been contacted by a number of his constituents who are keen that testing animals be banned in the UK. They suggested Ministers to adopt modern testing methods like PETA's Research Modernisation Deal.

Stephens constituents also raised concerns about the fur, which is used on the caps worn by the King's Guard. The fur used is from Canadian black bears. The skin of one bear usually is enough to produce a single cap. Stephen asked the Minister whether she would consider the use faux fur instead.

Having sent the letter, Stephen said: "I am grateful that my constituents have been in touch. I've long believed the UK should lead the world with high animal welfare standards. Improvements in animal testing practices in recent years are welcome, but more needs to be done. I hope the minister will look closely at the concerns raised by my constituents and consider the banning of animal testing. I will be interested to read what she has to say about the use of faux fur for the King's Guard caps.”

Stephen urges the Government to raise benefit levels

On Tuesday, Stephen asked the Government to consolidate one-off Cost of Living Payments into mainstream benefits, to raise benefit levels from their 40-year low in real terms.

Benefit levels are at their lowest level in real terms for 40 years. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimates that the standard allowance for Universal Credit is up to £66 too low to cover essentials, like food and utility bills. While the Government has offered vital support through the Cost of Living Payments, this support is time-limited and separate to usual benefit payments, making it difficult for claimants to budget.

Speaking in the debate, Stephen welcomed the Cost of Living Payments but stated, “the need for them does reflect, particularly following the removal of the £20 a week uplift from universal credit, the historically low headline level of benefits.” He asked the Government to consolidate “consolidating those occasional one-off payments into the mainstream benefits— universal credit and the rest—so that people can budget with confidence.”

Tom Pursglove, Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, refused to commit to such a change.

Stephen speaks in the "Partygate" debate

Yesterday, the House of Commons debated the Committee of Privileges’ report into the conduct of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Stephen spoke in the debate to support the reports findings and criticise Mr Johnson’s behaviour.

The Committee of Privileges found that Mr Johnson knowingly misled the House of Commons on several occasions about lockdown parties at Downing Street. The lockdown parties and the scandal that erupted following them are known as “Partygate.” The report also found Mr Johnson to be in “contempt of Parliament” for attacking the Committee.

The “Partygate” report recommended Mr Johnson be suspended for 90-days and lose his parliamentary pass. Parliament voted 354-7 to accept the report and its recommendations.

Speaking in the debate, Stephen recalled that Mr Johnson had previously misled the House, claiming that “there are more people in work than there were before the pandemic began” eight separate times, despite the Statistics Authority and the Office for Statistics Regulation told the then-Prime Minister that his statements were untrue.

“My conclusion from all of this,” Stephen said, “which I think sheds some light on the events covered by the report, is that Mr Johnson just is not interested in whether a statement is true or not. He is a clever man—he thinks quite hard about what he plans to say—but the criterion, “Is this true?” is not an important consideration for him.”

Stephen supports Open Doors for all guide dog owners

Credit: Guide Dogs

Stephen has showed support for the rights of guide dog owners at an event in Parliament organised by the charity Guide Dogs.  

Guide dogs are key for many people with sight loss to getting around independently, but research from the charity Guide Dogs has shown that 81% of guide dog owners have been turned away from shops, restaurants and others businesses because of their dogs.  This discrimination can be humiliating and debilitating, with almost half of guide dog owners saying they have changed their plans or restrict visits to avoid being refused.

Stephen learnt more about the charity’s campaign to strengthen the law and requirements for training to prevent access refusals from happening in the first place.

Speaking after the event, Stephen said: “It is shocking that so many guide dog owners have reported being refused access to a restaurant, shop or taxi at some point because of their dog. This discrimination must end."

“It is now well over a decade since the Equality Act was introduced. The duties in the Act that require service providers to avoid putting disabled people at a substantial disadvantage are very clear, and it is shameful that 12 years later those with guide dogs are still facing blatant discrimination. I can understand why disability organisations find this both disappointing and disheartening.”

Eleanor Briggs, Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns at Guide Dogs, added: “Guide dog owners deserve to be able to live the lives they want and feel confident, independent, and supported in the world. However, too many guide dog owners continue to face discrimination and are turned away because they have their guide dog with them. That’s why we are calling for action to strengthen the law to end this unacceptable discrimination.”

Stephen urges Ministers to look at the cost of student travel

Stephen has written to the Education Secretary about the cost of public transport for students.

The letter followed a survey by the National Union of Students. It found that one in five students had missed classes due to travel costs and that 32% of students have skipped meals due to soaring travel costs.

The NUS surveyed over 3,500 students earlier this year as part of its annual travel survey report. The organisation has previously noticed that transportation costs were becoming a significant barrier for students in accessing education. They feared the burden of commuting expenses were falling on students all too regularly.

Having sent the letter, Stephen said "I am deeply concerned about the ever rising costs of transport for students in my constituency of East Ham. This report shows that students are having to make sacrifices to access the education they need. It is clear that the Government needs to do more.

“I am grateful to the NUS for carrying out their survey and would urge ministers to consider some of its recommendations."

A local student, Gisella Elamradi, who wrote Stephen said "I am grateful for Stephen taking this issue to the Education Secretary. I hope this puts enough pressure on the Government to take action."

To read a full copy of the NUS UK report, click here.

Stephen hosts reception for parent and toddler groups

Credit: Jo Gordon

Stephen has hosted a reception to launch the National Month of Prayer for parent and toddler groups in the House of Commons.

Jo Gordon, the CEO of Daniel’s Den, and leader of 1277 Make Them Count, welcomed everyone. She provided a brief history of the National Month of Prayer before introducing Stephen. He thanked those present for their tireless devotion and acknowledged the huge impact they make in their local communities. Rev Mary Hawes then spoke about how vital the years 0-5 are and how they are often overlooked in society.

There was time for toddler group leaders to share both their joys and challenges and pray for one another. Ideas shared are now being posted in the 1277 Facebook group to encourage more prayer for toddler groups throughout the month of June.

Rev Dave Chesney, a vicar in Newham who came to faith through the ministry of a toddler group, prayed a prayer of blessing over those gathered. The event ended with a large group photo, and everyone held up a card with the name and location of their group.

Stephen celebrates after West Ham United win the Europa Conference League

Stephen joined West Ham’s victory celebrations yesterday, after the football club beat Fiorentina 2-1 to win the Europa Conference League on Wednesday.

West Ham United beat Fiorentina 2-1 late on Wednesday evening with a last minute goal. The victory over Fiorentina meant West Ham won their first trophy since 1980 and their first European trophy since 1965. To celebrate the accomplishment, West Ham United organised a victory parade through the streets of East London.

The victory parade travelled from their old home at Upton Park, in Stephen’s constituency of East Ham, to Stratford Town Hall. They were greeted by Newham Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz. Stephen joined in the celebrations from Stratford Town Hall.

“It is wonderful to see people throughout Newham celebrating this accomplishment,” Stephen said. “I congratulate West Ham United on their achievement and hope it is the start of many more trophies heading Newham’s way!”

Stephen’s view from the Town Hall.

Stephen asks the Government to help leaseholders facing soaring insurance costs

Yesterday, Stephen asked Lee Rowley MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Government and Building Safety, to help leaseholders faced with soaring Buildings Insurance costs. Stephen raised the case of Barrier Point in Newham’s Royal Docks where insurance premiums have risen by £6,000 per resident.

Buildings Insurance covers the structure of a building and its fixtures. Leaseholders in apartment complexes often pay a share of the insurance costs for the entire complex. Insurers have raised premiums dramatically for complexes with unsafe cladding since the tragic Grenfell Fire in 2017, leaving leaseholders struggling to find an insurance quote or facing unaffordable costs.

Stephen has frequently pushed the Government to reduce Buildings Insurance premiums. Residents of Barrier Point, in Newham’s Royal Docks, face an extra £6,000 in insurance premiums since unsafe cladding was found in one of its towers. Stephen raised their case with the Government yesterday, having written to and met with Aviva, Barrat, and the Government about their case previously.

Speaking in Parliament, Stephen asked, “The Secretary of State told me in January that such insurers were “squarely in our gun sights”. Can the Minister offer any prospect of imminent relief to my constituents, some of whom face a demand of an additional £6,000 this year?”

The minister responded that he hopes a scheme by the Association of British Insurers to reduce costs will “come forward in the next few weeks.”

Stephen visits Evri depot in Beckton

Stephen has visited the Evri depot in Beckton to the site and hear about the firm’s continued growth, innovation, and investment in sustainability initiatives.

The depot management team took the MP on a tour of the depot, which is an integral part of the national operation and delivers 700 million parcels a year. The site serves the central London area and more than 6 million parcels are handled at the site each year. The tour was then followed by discussions around Evri’s overall business performance, which has seen double digit growth over the past few years.

Evri’s Beckton site is home to 24 electric vans which are used to deliver on more than 100 delivery rounds within the ultra-low emission zone. The site has previously been used to trial new innovative initiatives such as pedestrian couriers, and driverless vehicles.

Speaking after the visit, Stephen said: “I was delighted to visit Evri’s impressive local depot today.  I was struck by the scope and scale of what the staff do.  The depot plays an essential part in our local economy, providing good job and training opportunities. The fact it is so busy bodes well for the area’s future.”

Stephen joins Islamic Relief for a delayed celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr

Yesterday, Stephen attended a reception in Parliament hosted by Islamic Relief to celebrate the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Eid-ul-Fitr means “festival of the breaking of the fast” and celebrates the end of Ramadan, a month when Muslims refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours to devote themselves to reflection and prayer. Though the Islamic Relief reception was held yesterday, Eid-ul-Fitr actually occurred on Friday 21 April this year. At Eid, Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan with prayers, gifts, and food.

Islamic Relief is a faith-inspired charity founded in Birmingham in 1984 that works in 40 countries across the globe. Islamic Relief combats poverty and responds to humanitarian crises. Ramadan is renowned as a time of generous giving for the Muslim community, and last year Islamic Relief raised over £18 million.

Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, David Lammy MP, and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and the United Nations spoke at the event.

Speaking afterwards, Stephen said, “I am delighted to be able to celebrate the end of Ramadan with Islamic Relief. They are an excellent charity doing important and life-saving work. I wish all my constituents celebrating a belated Eid Mubarak!”

Stephen leads a debate on the cost of living and no recourse to public funds (NRPF)

Last Thursday, Stephen secured a debate in the House of Commons on no recourse to public funds (NRPF), a condition attached to temporary visas that stops people accessing many benefits. Families with NRPF are facing destitution as they face the cost of living crisis without government help.

There are 1.6 million people with NRPF, according to the House of Commons Library, and Citizens Advice estimates 329,000 are parents. Their children, many of whom are British citizens, cannot access Child Benefit or receive 30 hours of free childcare. Families with NRPF cannot access Universal Credit, Disability Living Allowance, Housing Benefit, and many struggled to be put on furlough during the pandemic.

Few people with NRPF are here temporarily - 40% have been in the UK for over five years - and most are in work. Yet, facing the cost of living crisis without support, eight out of ten parents with NRPF are struggling to feed their children. Even before the crisis, half of parents were behind on rent and 84% were behind on at least one bill.

In the debate, Stephen argued for granting Child Benefit to all British children, regardless of their parents immigration status, and automatically removing NRPF from parents’ visas after five years. The cross-party Work and Pensions Select Committee, which Stephen chairs, proposed these reforms. They would cost £160 million and are supported by both Labour and Conservative backbenchers.

Speaking in the debate, Stephen said, “the pandemic highlighted the perilous situation of people with no recourse to public funds. The latest Trussell Trust data shows food bank demand up sharply again. In the cost of living crisis, families with NRPF are being clobbered once more.”

Stephen raises awareness of the effects of the cost of living crisis on people with sight loss

On Monday 24 April, Stephen joined a cost-of-living parliamentary drop-in hosted by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). RNIB is urgently calling for more support for people with sight loss to cope with energy bills and a review of benefits so people can afford an adequate standard of living.

57 MPs joined the event, which was hosted in the Attlee Suite in Parliament. The event included an interactive board game, a quiz, and demonstrations of equipment used by blind and partially sighted people to maintain their independence to help parliamentarians understand the additional challenges faced by people with sight loss due to the cost-of-living crisis.

One-in-five blind and partially sighted people said they had difficulty making ends meet before prices began to rise. Increases in the cost-of-living since have only made this situation worse. The crisis especially hurts those with sight loss due to their reliance on assistive technology, a greater need for taxi journeys, support in their home, extra lighting, and much more.

RNIB is asking the Government to develop and implement a social tariff on energy bills, to offer additional support to partially sighted people, and to review and rebase benefit rates.

Speaking after the event, Stephen said, “The cost-of-living crisis is raising the cost of sight loss, making an adequate standard of living unachievable for too many people. I am supporting RNIB’s calls to the Government to lessen the financial pressures faced by those with sight loss.”

If you are living with vision impairment, or know someone who is living with vision impairment, you can contact RNIB’s helpline for support through their helpline (0303 123 9999), website, or email. You can also contact Stephen for support on 020 7219 4000 or via email.

Stephen urges the government to set a strategy for removing asbestos from workplaces

On Wednesday 19 April, Stephen spoke in a Westminster Hall Debate in Parliament about asbestos in workplaces. He urged the government to adopt recommendations from the Work and Pensions Select Committee, which Stephen chairs, to set a 40-year deadline for the removal of asbestos from British workplaces and to create a central register of all asbestos in nondomestic buildings.

Asbestos is a material that was widely used in insulation and building prior to 1999, when it was banned. Asbestos is linked to several lung diseases, including asbestosis and mesothelioma. It is the largest cause of work-related deaths in the UK. There were over 5,000 asbestos-related deaths in 2019 alone.

Since 2002, the government has imposed a “duty to manage” on building owners to limit the exposure of workers to asbestos. The regulations aim to manage the risks of asbestos in situ - leaving it where it is found - unless the asbestos deteriorates to a state considered too dangerous. Dissatisfaction with this approach is widespread. Solicitors Irwin Mitchell estimate it will be 80 years before all asbestos is removed just from UK public buildings at the current pace of removal.

Moreover, even the current, insufficient regulations are under-threat. The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations (2012) and its predecessors are underpinned by EU law. The government’s Retained EU Law (REUL) Bill will remove all leftover EU law unless it is expressly incorporated into UK law, leaving the UK without any regulations to manage asbestos.

Speaking in Parliament, Stephen, “[the Work and Pensions Select Committee] think we need a plan to achieve that goal [of removing all asbestos], not just to hope that it happens by happenstance.” Stephen went on to criticise the REUL Bill, warning, “if it reaches the statutes book in its current form, there will be no UK regulations on managing asbestos for the first time since 1930. I don’t think anyone wants that.”

Stephen marks the tenth anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster with a motion in Parliament

The motion tabled by Stephen.

Last Friday, Stephen tabled a motion to mark the tenth anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster, which claimed the lives of 1,134 people, injured 2,500 more, and impacted countless livelihoods.

On 24 April 2013, a eight storey commercial building, called Rana Plaza, collapsed in the Savar Upazila of Dhaka District in Bangladesh. The building contained several clothing factories. The building’s owners had ignored warnings about structural failures in the building after cracks had appeared the day before, and insisted on workers returning to the factory. The building collapsed during the morning rush hour.

The motion, supported by eleven other MPs including Labour’s Hilary Benn MP, the Conservative’s Bob Blackman MP, and the SNP’s Lisa Cameron MP, remembers the tragedy while commending Bangladesh for its efforts since the disaster to improve the safety of its garment factories. The motion “notes that Bangladesh has 187 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified green factories, including half the world's top 100 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified green factories.” It goes on to urge all fashion brands to raise environmental and labour standards.

Speaking about the motion, Stephen said, “The Rana Plaza disaster sent shock waves around the world.  Ten years on, hundreds of Bangladesh families are still grappling with the consequences, and our hearts go out to them.  We welcome the major improvements which have been made since in Bangladesh to safeguard worker safety, and hope that similar improvements will follow in garment factories in other countries.”

Stephen asks the government to record benefit health assessments

Today in Parliament, Stephen asked the Minister for Disabled People, Health, and Work, Tom Pursglove, if he would start requiring that assessors record health assessments for disabled people on benefits.

To receive certain benefits, such as the Employment Support Allowance (ESA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP), disabled people have to undertake a health assessment. An inquiry into health assessments by the Work and Pensions Select Committee, which Stephen chairs, found that many disabled people find these assessments degrading and intrusive. In 2019/20, 77% of health assessments for PIP that reached tribunal were overturned. The Select Committee recommended that assessment providers should be required to record their assessments to improve their quality.

Speaking in Parliament, Stephen said, “the select committee has recommended that all these assessments should be recorded to help put things right. The assessment providers all support that recommendation. Will the minister give the House an assurance that he will give that recommendation very serious and sympathetic consideration?”

The Minister responded that he “wants to work constructively to get these reforms right” and said “we should look at this.”

Stephen urges the Government to fix benefit health assessments

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

A report by the Work and Pensions Select Committee, which Stephen chairs, found a “profound lack of trust” in the assessments that people with ill-health or disabilities must go through to access the benefits that are meant to support them.

The Work and Pensions Select Committee’s report found that 77% of health assessment decisions were overturned on appeal in 2019/20. In a survey of 8,500 people for the report, respondents spoke of factual errors being made in their assessment, staff lacking knowledge of their condition, and difficulty completing forms.

The Government has committed to reforming assessments. It plans to remove the Work Capability Assessment (WCA), which claimants must pass to access Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit equivalents. However, the WCA will not be removed until 2026 and the Government plans to keep assessments for Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

Speaking to the Evening Standard, Stephen said, “Waiting years for changes won’t cut it when quicker wins are available: flexibility of choice on assessment by phone or face-to-face; recording assessments by default; extending deadlines to reduce stress; and sending claimants their reports.”

“All this will give much-needed transparency to a process that so few trust yet affects their lives so fundamentally.”

The government raises support for childcare costs in response to Stephen's select committee

On Friday 31 March, the government responded to the Work and Pensions Select Committee’s report into Universal Credit and childcare costs, agreeing to adopt many of its recommendations. The Work and Pensions Select Committee, which Stephen chairs, published its report on 20 December 2022.

The Select Committee’s report called for the government to pay Universal Credit childcare costs upfront, raise the cap on total costs eligible for support, and offer more guidance to parents on the support available. In response, the government raised the cap to £950.92 for one child and £1,630.15 for two children, from £646.35 and £1,108.04 respectively, and announced plans to move from paying parents in arrears to covering costs upfront.

Reacting to the news, Stephen said, “Important victories have been scored in the increase to the childcare cap for Universal Credit claimants and upfront payments for childcare that will liberate parents to be supported to take up work.”

However, Stephen remained critical of the government’s decision to reject the committee’s recommendations on guidance and work coach training, adding, “we still think that more can be done to ensure that parents claiming Universal Credit are made fully aware of the childcare options open to them. Work Coaches should be properly trained to provide this information effectively.”

Stephen supports new asbestos campaign

Stephen with Ian Lavery MP, Chair of the Occupational Safety and Health APPG

Stephen has lent his support to the charity, Mesothelioma UK. It has recently launched its ‘Don’t Let the Dust Settle’ campaign. It looks to “call time” on asbestos by raising awareness of the dangers of asbestos exposure and the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma.

Asbestos is estimated to kill more than 200,000 people per year globally and exposure to asbestos is responsible for nine out of ten mesothelioma cases. It is the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK each year, as more than 5,000 people die from asbestos-related cancers.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety, the UK has the highest rate of mesothelioma deaths per capita in the world. The cancer has a long latency period of 15-45 years, with some prolonged cases of 60 years before symptoms show.

Despite its use being banned, asbestos remains in many UK buildings. The HSE estimates that between 210,000 and 400,000 buildings in the UK contain asbestos. Other sources say that there are about six million tonnes of asbestos, spread across approximately 1.5 million buildings – the most asbestos per capita in Europe. Freedom of Information requests in 2022 revealed that 81 per cent of schools reported asbestos was present in their buildings, with more than 90 per cent of hospital buildings containing asbestos.

The ‘Don’t Let the Dust Settle’ campaign is demanding that the Government heeds the two key recommendations of the Work and Pensions Committee inquiry into the management of asbestos. In 2022, the Committee recommended the creation of a central digital register of asbestos and a commitment to the phased removal of asbestos over the next 40 years, prioritising schools and hospitals.

Speaking about the campaign, Stephen said: “The 1999 ban on using asbestos didn't make it a thing of the past. It’s still in our buildings and causes over 5,000 deaths per year. This risk from asbestos will increase in coming decades, as we retrofit buildings to meet net zero targets. To prevent needless deaths and suffering, we need to act decisively, and finally make asbestos history. We need a central register so that we know where all the asbestos is and in what condition it is. We also need to set a timeframe for its safe removal, prioritising the highest risk asbestos from settings such as schools and hospitals. The clock is ticking.”

Stephen criticises the government's giveaway to wealthy pensioner

The debate on the government’s budget, announced two weeks ago, continued yesterday. Stephen spoke against the Chancellor’s giveaway to the wealthiest 1% of pensioners and questioned the abolition of the Office for Tax Simplification (OTS).

Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, abolished the lifetime allowance on pension savings in his budget on 15 March. The lifetime allowance is the amount a person can save in their pension before it is taxed. The Resolution Foundation calculates that the 9,000 people who exceeded the lifetime allowance in 2020-21 would gain £44,000 on average from its abolition, while no households in the bottom half of the income distribution gain from its abolition.

“At a time when the tax burden on ordinary families is being raised to the highest level since the Second World War, it seems to me extraordinary that the Chancellor thinks it is right to cut the tax on the 1% of largest pension pots,” Stephen said. He added,“it’s creating a very large tax avoidance opportunity for a large number of people… [through] the unlimited amount of money that they can now put tax free into their pensions.”

Stephen further noted that the government had rejected recommendations by the Work and Pensions Select Committee, which Stephen chairs, to encourage pension saving amongst the self-employed. “£1.8 billion of tax relief could have been a very valuable incentive in making a success of an initiative along those lines,” Stephen said.