Stephen visits Thames Water treatment plant

Credit: Thames Water

Stephen has visited Thames Water’s treatment plant in Beckton.

The visit to the plant, which serves a population of four million across east London, was to see how sewage sludge could be used to produce biomethane as a source of energy to heat people’s homes.  

This is in line with a government scheme to invest in new biomethane conversion plants to increase the ratio of “green gas” in the National Grid.  The plant, however, is  excluded from government funding to help produce environment-friendly “green gas” for the National Grid.

Thames Water plans to reduce the 250-acre site’s carbon emissions and to unlock benefits of energy conversion to heat 3,500 homes in the Beckton area.

Speaking after the visit, Stephen said “Thames Water raised important issues with me about government help for schemes of this kind,” the MP said. “I learned about plans to make biomethane sustainably and have written to the minister about them.”

Stephen praises community art mural at Hartley Primary School

Last week, Stephen paid a visit to Hartley Primary School to see local artist William Redgrove’s mural. The mural was designed by Year 4 students at the school and created in collaboration with Newham Heritage Month.

The artwork forms part of a long-term project with the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Royal Docks Team, and Newham Council. As part of Newham Heritage Month, Hartley Primary School was awarded an arts grant to create the feature wall.

The wall was designed by Year 4 students. They were taught new techniques by Bow Arts, an organisation that aims to nurture creative talent in London, and explored local architecture in Old Manor Park Library. Local artist William Redgrove then brought the students’ vision to life, running workshops with parents and children to choose the layout, composition, and colour scheme.

Stephen was delighted to see the students’ hard work. He said, “I really enjoyed visiting Hartley Primary School and seeing their superb art mural, featuring prominently the old Manor Park Library.  It was great to hear how the design was inspired by the students, and how they loved creating it alongside local artist, Will Redgrove.  This opportunity for students to explore and learn about Newham heritage is really important, and I’d like to thank Head Teacher Leilah McClay for inviting me to see it.”

Stephen hosts and speaks at the School for Social Enterprises

On Monday evening, the School for Social Enterprises (SSE) ran an event - “Celebrating the Power of Social Enterprises” - in Parliament, hosted by Stephen. The event brought together policy makers, entrepreneurs, and SSE fellows to discuss how to deepen the impact of social enterprise.

Social enterprises are businesses that seek to address social and environmental issues. The SSE helps social enterprises develop the skills and networks they need to succeed, running courses and events.

Monday’s event included speeches by Stephen, Alastair Wilson, the CEO of SSE, and Jo Gideon MP, chair of the APPG on Social Enterprise, alongside a panel discussion featuring directors and CEOs of several firms. Speakers and panellists addressed difficulties in financing and skill development, and how match trading can assist.

In his speech, Stephen emphasised the importance of “increasing the scope and scale of social enterprise.” Speaking after the event, he said, “I was pleased to host the SSE in Parliament. Their event demonstrated how, with the right financing, management, and direction, the private sector can help solve many of the problems our society faces.”

Stephen asks for protection of Palestinian healthcare workers

Stephen has written to the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, asking him what the Government is doing to protect healthcare workers in Palestine.

A number of constituents have been in touch with Stephen recently, drawing his attention to statistics released by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS). This report details 149 violations to their medical teams in the last 5 months, a 255% increase in comparison to this period last year. The PRCS now deem their staff to be at such risk, they are now provided with bullet proof vests and helmets.

The PRCS also reported on wider dangers facing the Palestinian community, such as labelling this the ‘deadliest’ year in the West Bank since 2005. According to the United Nations, Israeli forces have killed more Palestinians in 2022 since the systematic recordings of fatalities began in 2005.

Having sent the letter, Stephen said “I am troubled by the recent violence in the West Bank and the threat to the lives of healthcare workers in Palestine. The health system in Gaza has long been overburdened and attacks on these workers will only serve to make the matter worse.

“The Government needs to do more to end the current cycle of violence, and ensure a peaceful future for all Israelis and Palestinians.”

Stephen speaks at the Young Muslim Leadership Programme in Oxford

On Friday, Stephen spoke on faith in politics at the Young Muslim Leadership Programme run by the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies.

The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is an independent institution at the University of Oxford for the advanced study of Islam and the Muslim world. The Centre was founded in 1985. It runs the Young Muslim Leadership Programme, a nine-day residential programme that encourages young British Muslims to engage in public life.

Stephen spoke at the Programme on Friday evening. He spoke on the role and importance of faith in politics. He was especially delighted to meet five participants from East London at the event (pictured below).

“It was a privilege to address the YMLP,” Stephen said, “It is inspiring to see intelligent and enthusiastic young people motivated by their faith to engage in public life.”

Stephen delighted as The Sunday Times campaigns for his committee's recommendations to tackle asbetos

Asbestos is the leading cause of workplace deaths, causing 5000 deaths per year. Last Sunday, The Sunday Times launched a campaign to get the Government to commit to commit to a national plan for the removal of all asbestos over the next 40 years, a recommendation made by Stephen’s committee.

As Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, Stephen started an inquiry on asbestos management in 2021. The Committee’s report, published in April 2022, called for a 40 year deadline to remove all workplace asbestos, and for a central digital register of the location and condition of all asbestos. The Government rejected both recommendations. 

Stephen has been working with trade unions and campaigners since and is delighted with the new Sunday Times campaign.  The Minister responsible has now agreed to meet Stephen later this month to discuss the idea of a register.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Stephen said, “when you mention asbestos to most people, they tend to think it was a problem of the past that’s been dealt with. When you tell them it’s still all around us, they’re surprised. When you tell them it’s the UK’s biggest work-related killer, they’re shocked. And when you tell them it’s in most of our schools, they tend to become worried.”

Stephen shows his support for people with arthritis

On Monday, Stephen attended a drop-in event run by Versus Arthritis in the Houses of Parliament. Stephen spoke to people with arthritis and NHS professionals about the debilitating condition.

Arthritis affects over 10 million people in the UK and Versus Arthritis estimates that it will cost the NHS £118 billion over the next decade. The pain from arthritis can take away people’s ability to work, care for family, and live independently.

Versus Arthritis ran the drop-in event to launch its latest report: the State of Musculoskeletal Health. The report reveals that arthritis is a leading cause of sickness absence in the UK with many people stuck on waiting lists for joint replacement surgery.

“I am grateful that Versus Arthritis put on this drop-in,” Stephen said, “it is important that MPs hear about people’s experiences of arthritis. We must do more to bring down waiting lists and support people suffering this painful condition.”

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.