Stephen visits Versus Arthritis at Labour Party Conference

During Labour Party Conference earlier this month, Stephen visited the Versus Arthritis stand to hear more about the impact of arthritis on his constituents and how Government policy can help them.

Arthritis is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in people’s joints. Versus Arthritis - which is the UK’s largest anti-arthritis charity - estimates that there are over 10 million people in the UK suffering from arthritis. Arthritis causes pain and can reduce dexterity making everyday activities a struggle.

Versus Arthritis highlighted that over one million people are waiting for trauma and orthopaedic treatment because of NHS backlogs.

People with arthritis are also less likely to work than those without the condition - 34.9% of people with a musculoskeletal condition are economically inactive. Versus Arthritis are advocating for the Government to promote its Access to Work programme, which offers grants for specialist equipment to help people work. The Work and Pensions Committee, which Stephen chairs, has made similar recommendations in the past.

“I was delighted to meet with Versus Arthritis to discuss the challenges that people with arthritis face,” Stephen said. “I agree with them that the Government must do more to promote the Access to Work scheme to people with musculoskeletal diseases and, indeed, all people with disabilities.”

Stephen asks The Pensions Regulator for updates on Wilko's Pension Scheme

Last Wednesday, as Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, Stephen wrote to The Pensions Regulator (TPR) to confirm the steps it is taking to make sure the Wilko Group supports its pension scheme. Stephen has previously met TPR in September to discuss the impact of Wilko’s collapse on the members of its pension scheme.

Wilko entered administration in August 2023 following problems with its finances and supply chain. The collapse of the retail chain put 12,500 jobs at risk. As of April 2023, Wilko’s pension scheme also has 1,878 members: 1,062 of whom are deferred members and 816 are pensioners.

Wilko had previously struggled to fund its pension. Wilko was paying £8.8 million per year into its pension scheme to reduce its funding deficit. The collapse of Wilko puts those payments at risk.

In his letter, Stephen asked TPR if it would issue a contribution notice or financial support direction against the pension scheme. Either would require Wilko - which has relaunched as an online retailer since its collapse - to financially support its pension scheme with further payments. Stephen also asked TPR for details on the impact on its funding of the investment strategy, known as Liability Driven Investment (LDI), that the scheme had adopted.

Stephen asks about humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza

Yesterday, the Prime Minister delivered a statement to the House of Commons about Israel and Gaza. Stephen spoke in the discussion that followed to ask how the UK would ensure compliance with international law and how soon humanitarian assistance would reach civilians.

On Saturday 7 October, Hamas launched a series of attacks on Israeli citizens. Israel has since besieged Gaza and is - reportedly - planning a ground assault to remove Hamas and rescue its citizens taken hostage.

In his statement, the Prime Minister made clear that Israel must avoid harming civilians in its response. The Prime Minister also announced a £10 million of support for Palestinians, stating that the Palestinian people “are victims of Hamas too.”

Stephen has condemned the barbaric and appalling attacks by Hamas. Stephen emphasised that Israel’s response must be constrained by international humanitarian law. Following yesterday’s statement, Stephen asked the Prime Minister how the Government would monitor compliance with international law and how soon British aid would reach civilians in Gaza.

Stephen talks about poverty premiums with the Centre for Social Justice

During the Labour Party’s annual conference in Liverpool last week, Stephen spoke on a panel about poverty premiums. The panel was sponsored by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) to explain what poverty premiums are and how a Labour Government could eliminate them.

Poverty premiums are the extra cost that people in poverty pay for essential products and services. For example, most people in poorer households pay for their electricity using a pre-payment meter, which costs more than paying via direct debit. The CSJ estimates that poorer households lose £478 per year on average due to poverty premiums.

Stephen spoke about the causes of poverty premiums - which include digital and financial exclusion - and proposed ways to address poverty premiums, such as better advertisement of social tariffs for broadband and utilities. The panel also included political editor of the Daily Express David Maddox, Matthew Greenwood of the CSJ, Tamara Dewhirst from Virgin Money, and Helen Milner OBE from the Good Things Foundation.

Stephen discusses the price of poverty with Islamic Relief

On Tuesday 10 October, Stephen spoke on the costs poverty has for UK society at a panel sponsored by Islamic Relief. The panel was part of the Labour Party’s annual conference in Liverpool. Tufail Hussain, the director of Islamic Relief, Ali Gourley of FareShare UK, and Phil Gray of the Felix Project also spoke.

There are 14.4 million people - 22% of the UK population - living in relative poverty in the UK. Of these, 4.2 million are children and 8.1 million are working-age adults. Poverty fell during the last Labour Government - especially among pensioners 29% of whom were in poverty in 1997/98 but only 15% of whom were in poverty by 2010 - but has remained persistent at around 22% since 2010.

The panel, sponsored by Islamic Relief, discussed the costs that poverty has for society in everything from individual’s lost potential to increasing crime and reducing community cohesion. They also discussed routes to alleviating poverty, with Stephen particularly urging the Government to uprate benefits in line with inflation.

“We really need to spread this message and a recognition of just how heavy a price all of us are paying for living in a society where there is so much poverty and destitution,” Stephen said. “[We] need to make really big changes to turn that around for the future.”

"We really need to spread this message and a recognition of just how heavy a price all of us are paying for living in a society where there is so much poverty and destitution at the moment." — @stephenctimms pic.twitter.com/UYjLQ006KI

— Islamic Relief UK (@IslamicReliefUK) October 10, 2023

Stephen speaks on barriers to employment at Labour Party Conference

Stephen spoke on the barriers to finding a job that the elderly, young people, and those with disability face at a panel sponsored by the Shaw Trust on Tuesday 10 October.

Though the UK has relatively high employment, there are particular demographics in UK society who struggle to find employment. Economic inactivity - when someone is neither employed nor looking for work - is high among people aged 16-24 (at 39.7%), people over 50 (at 26.8%), and those with a disability (at 42.3%). People with disabilities especially struggle to find jobs well adapted to them.

Stephen argued for several changes to support more people into work. He urged the Government to reform the Disability Confident Scheme - a scheme that accredits firms for how well they treat disabled employees - to focus on outcomes instead of process. A firm can presently achieve the highest accreditation without employing any disabled people! He also argued for a similar accreditation for elderly employment to lessen ageism.

Stephen also noted that the Government does have some good schemes for supporting people into work. However, these are poorly advertised - for example, few disabled people know about the Access to Work scheme that helps fund workplace adaptations - or closed to anyone not claiming benefits. Stephen suggested advertising these schemes more and opening them to everyone.

Stephen speaks against asbestos at Labour Party Conference

Last week, on Sunday 8 October, Stephen spoke on a panel about the dangers of asbestos and the need for a Government plan to remove it. The panel was sponsored by the Trade Union Congress at the Labour Party’s Annual Conference.

Asbestos-related diseases are the primary cause of workplace deaths in the UK, approximately 5,000 people die every year as a result of exposure to asbestos. The Work and Pensions Select Committee, which Stephen chairs, has urged the Government to set a 40-year deadline to remove asbestos from all non-domestic buildings and to create a central register of asbestos.

At the panel event, Stephen detailed his committee’s inquiry into the Government’s approach to managing asbestos. He argued that the Government should adopt the committee’s recommendations.

The panel was led by journalist Steve Boggan, who is instrumental in The Times’ Act Now on Asbestos campaign. Also on the panel were Imran Hussain MP, Shadow Minister for the New Deal for Working People, the General Secretary of the National Education Union Daniel Kebede, and Harminder Bains, a leading campaigner against asbestos.

Asbestos is a material that was widely used for fire resistance and insulation in buildings until it was banned in 1999. Asbestos fibres can cause several cancers including mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Stephen attends the opening of UCL East

University College London (UCL) launched the biggest expansion in their near 200-year history on Monday 18 September, opening a new UCL East campus in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Stephen was delighted to attend.

The new campus is spread across One Pool Street and Marshgate. It offers accommodation for 500+ students alongside multi-disciplinary research labs, fabrication workshops, lecture theates, a library, a shop, and a cafe. It is sustainable and open to the public, with exhibitions from local artists. It will offer new cross-disciplinary courses.

The new campus was opened by Olympic champion and UCL alumni Christine Ohuruogu MBE and the London Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries Justine Simons. Guests were treated to a tour of the new facilities after speeches by Christine and Dr Dania Posso and Peter Kanyike - two of the first students to study at UCL East.

“UCL’s investment in East London is a great sign of confidence in our area,” Stephen said after the event, “It was fascinating to see the facilities they have developed. I hope we will continue to see organisations like UCL invest in Newham.”

Stephen visits East Ham Care Centre

Last week, Stephen visited East Ham Care Centre to hear about the work of the Community Health Newham Team.

Stephen was shown around two of the site’s wards, Fothergill and Sally Sherman, and met many of the centre’s staff.

The visit began with an introductory talk by Ben Braithwaite, the centre’s Medical Director. Happy Khatun and Magg Mbelo then spoke with Stephen about person-centred occupational therapies before Ward Matron Chantal Riverie showed Stephen around the wards. Deputy Lead Nurse Tim Hunter also introduced Stephen to the Urgent Care Response team and Clinical Ade Adeosun introduced the District Nursing Team.

Speaking after the visit, Stephen said, “It was a privilege to recently visit the East Ham Care Centre in my constituency, to learn more about the wonderful care staff provide for service users. The community care services in Newham are vital in ensuring service users are continuing to be supported throughout their complex needs, and I would like to thank staff for their unwavering dedication.” 

Stephen asks about asbestos in schools

The Government has partially or fully shut over a hundred English schools after identifying concrete in them that had passed its safe life. On Wednesday 6 September, Stephen raised the risks of asbestos exposure as schools attempt to remove the concrete.

The Government closed 104 schools after three incidents of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) collapsing over summer forced Ministers to reconsider the safety of school buildings. Schools will be partially or fully shut so that remediation works can be carried out. However, this has raised fears that remediation works will expose asbestos.

Irwin Mitchell estimates that 4,533 public buildings have asbestos, a quarter of which are schools. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause cancers such as mesothelioma. Asbestos-related illnesses cause 5,000 deaths per year in the UK, making them the leading cause of workplace-related deaths.

Stephen has campaigned for the Government to act on asbestos for over a year, since the Work and Pensions Select Committee - which Stephen chairs - published an inquiry into asbestos in April 2022.

During the debate on 6 September, Stephen again urged the Government to act on asbestos, saying, “at the current rate of progress, it will take 350 years to remove all the asbestos from schools. Does she agree that the Department must get a move on?”

Stephen argues for reforms to health assessments for disability benefits

On Monday 4 September, Stephen spoke in a debate on how claimants are assessed for disability benefits. Stephen argued for several reforms to improve the system, based on his Select Committee’s inquiry.

People with a disability that makes them unable to work must pass a work capability assessment (WCA) to access Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and equivalent Universal Credit elements. People with a disability who are able to work must similarly pass an assessment to claim Personal Independence Payments (PIP), which help cover the costs of their disability.

However, the current system is flawed. Many claimants find the process demeaning and a large number of decisions by assessors are overturned on appeal - in 2019/20, 77% of all decisions were overturned at appeal. When a claimants turns 16, they are required to switch from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to PIP, undergoing a full face-to-face assessment despite already receiving a disability benefit.

Stephen spoke to all these flaws in his speech. As Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, Stephen also suggested several reforms based on his committee’s inquiry. Stephen recommended the Government allow claimants to have their assessment recorded, allow claimants to remain on DLA until they are 18, and give claimants more time to complete their application forms.

“The Government has recognised the need to transform the system,” Stephen said, “[but] we need to take further action, given the gravity of the problems that we have already heard about in the debate.”

Stephen calls for urgent action for terminally ill patients at home

Stephen has written to the Health Secretary, Steve Barclay, on behalf of those with terminal illnesses who are facing steep bills during the current cost of living crisis. 

In the last few weeks, Stephen has been contacted by a number of constituents, who are terminally ill. They have raised concerns about running at-home medical equipment.  Many pointed Stephen towards a recent report published by Marie Curie. It found that running a hospital bed could push energy bills up 7% above the average household. A ventilator can also increase bills by 21% and an oxygen concentrator by 38%. 

In most cases, there is no support available for these additional costs. Some rebate schemes are available, but access to these can vary between NHS Trusts. 

In his letter, Stephen asked that the government look at helping terminally ill people cover their ever-rising energy costs. He noted that, without such help, patients with terminal illnesses risk further need for treatment. 

Having sent the letter, Stephen said “I am concerned that a number of my constituents in East Ham are unable to afford their energy bills because of having to run medical equipment.

“Ministers need to take urgent action to address this problem and devise a new approach to protect vulnerable patients who receive treatment at home.”

Stephen launches inquiry in Norton pension schemes

The Work and Pensions Committee, which Stephen chairs, is to look at the lessons that can be learned from the experience of the collapse of the Norton pension schemes with the aim of ensuring members of collapsed pension schemes are better protected and supported in the future.

The assets in the Norton pension schemes were invested in the Norton Motorcycle Holdings Ltd which went into administration in 2020. The sole trustee of the schemes, Stuart Garner, who was given a suspended jail sentence in March last year, was also the sole director of the company.

Whistleblowers raised concerns with the Pensions Regulator in 2013 and independent trustees were appointed in 2019. The inquiry will consider the Pensions Regulator’s approach to preventing loss of pension assets through fraud or dishonesty and whether there is scope to speed up the process of assessing eligibility for compensation and making payments. It will also examine the role played by bodies such as independent trustees, the Pensions Ombudsman, the Pensions Regulator, the Pension Protection Fund (in its role as administrator of the Fraud Compensation Fund).

Speaking about the inquiry, Stephen said: “The collapse of the Norton pension schemes has caused a huge amount of worry and financial hardship for the members, who fear they have lost their pensions and have been left in limbo when it comes to whether they will receive any compensation at all.

“Our inquiry will look at the lessons that can be learned from this experience to ensure the right regulatory arrangements are in place both to protect pension rights better and ensure compensation is paid promptly when things go wrong.”

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.”