Stephen discusses boosting employment among older workers

On Thursday 14 March, Stephen spoke at a roundtable about increasing employment among over 50s. The event was hosted by the think-tank Demos, and Stephen shared from the findings of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, which he chairs.

Many over 50s left work during the pandemic. Economic inactivity - when someone is neither working nor looking for work - among over 50s peaked at 27.7% in the May-July 2022. Two-thirds of these workers said they left work earlier than expected because of the pandemic, and around 180,000 have remained out of work since.

The Government put encouraging people aged 50-64-years-old at the centre of its Plan for Jobs and Employment in 2022.

The Work and Pensions Select Committee, which Stephen chairs, ran an inquiry on the Government’s plan in 2023. They made several recommendations on helping over 50s back into employment, including tackling ageism in the workforce, strengthening occupational healthcare, and adding flexibility for over 50s with caring responsibilities.

Last week, Demos invited Stephen to share from his committee’s inquiry and discuss their report into the same topic. Their report made many similar recommendations to Stephen’s committee, as well as suggesting a tax bonus to incentivise employment among older workers.

“I was delighted to share my committee’s work on how we can get older people back into the workforce,” Stephen said. “Demos’ work is an important contribution to this discussion. Over 50s bring a wealth of experience and wisdom to their workplaces - it is important we do not lose them!”

Stephen speaks about the 2024 Spring Budget

Yesterday, 12 March, Stephen spoke in the fourth day of debate following the Chancellor’s Spring Budget. He urged the Chancellor to make the Household Support Fund permanent, while welcoming the Chancellor’s caution over pension reforms.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, delivered his Spring Budget on Wednesday 6 March. Following the budget, there are several days of debate, giving MPs the opportunity to scrutinise the changes made by the Chancellor. Stephen spoke yesterday, on the fourth day of the debate.

In his speech, Stephen welcomed the Chancellor’s decision to extend the Household Support Fund for six months, to September 2024. The Fund has provided over £2 billion to local authorities to support households during the cost of living crisis. In London, Councils have used the fund to provide school holiday food support to over 472,000 children and emergency food support to 218,000 households.

However, Stephen urged the Chancellor to extend the Household Support Fund beyond September. “If the fund does end in September,” Stephen said, “a significant number of local councils will end local welfare assistance altogether in their area.”

“If the Government supports local provision, it needs to fund it as well,” Stephen added.

Stephen also reflected on the Government’s proposed “lifetime provider model” of private pensions. He welcomed the Chancellor’s caution, noting that the model - which would allow employees to direct their and their employer’s pension contributions to a scheme of their choice - would be a significant departure from the auto-enrolment system introduced in 2012.

Stephen asks for greater support for those living with cancer

Stephen has written to the Health Secretary, Victoria Atkins, about long waits for cancer tests and treatments.

A number of East Ham residents have been in touch in recent weeks outlining their support for Macmillan Cancer Research’s new campaign called “What Are We Waiting For?”.  Analysis by Macmillan found that at least 100,000 people over the past decade have seen their cancer worsen or have been left with fewer treatment options due to delays in being diagnosed.

In his letter, Stephen asked the Health Secretary what actions the Department will be taken to reduce delays for cancer treatments. His request came after figures showed that 2023 was the worst year on record in England for cancer treatment delays.

Having sent the letter, Stephen said “It is unacceptable that patients wait so long waiting for treatment. I hope Ministers can now support people more living with cancer more effectively to they can receive a quick diagnosis, which can be life saving.”  

Stephen asks for reviews of Homelessness Reduction Act

Stephen has written to the Levelling Up secretary, Michael Gove, asking that the government review the Homelessness Reduction Act after research found out it was failing young people.

A number of East Ham residents have been in touch about the number of young people who are at risk of homelessness. Their letters followed a survey by the charity, Centrepoint, which found that 60 per cent of young people, who had approached their local authority for help, had not been supported into housing. 

The Homelessness Reduction Act came into effect in 2018. It strengthened the duties on local authorities to prevent homelessness. The requirement to work to prevent homelessness for all eligible applicants should mean no one who is homeless or threatened with homelessness is turned away without advice and assistance and a personal housing plan as a minimum. There were concerns at the time that the aims of the Act could be undermined as Council were not adequately resourced to meet the new requirements.

Speaking about the letter, Stephen said "I am troubled that the number of local authorities are unable to fulfil their duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act. Issues around funding were raised at the time the legislation was drafted but ministers ignored these concerns.

“I support calls to deliver more affordable social housing which can help transform the lives of young people in East Ham.”

Stephen urges the Government to complete its review of the Disability Confident Scheme

Earlier this month, Stephen challenged the Government about delays to its promised review of the Disability Confident Scheme. Stephen’s committee criticised the Scheme - which aims to help people with disabilities find supportive employers - last year for focusing on “process rather than outcomes”.

The Disability Confident Scheme accredits employers based on how supportive they are of workers with disabilities. Employers can apply to be a Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 Disability Confident employer by implementing certain policies and procedures. However, there is no requirement for employers to employ someone with a disability to receive accreditation.

On 12 July 2023, the Work and Pensions Select Committee, which Stephen chairs, criticised the Scheme for focusing on “process rather than outcomes”. The Government committed, in response, to a “root and branch” review and said that “officials are refining recommendations” in October 2023. The Government has still not published a review.

Stephen challenged the Government about the delay to their review on Monday 5 February. In response, the Minister said “watch this space.”

Stephen leads a debate on the Child Maintenance Service

Today in Parliament, 27 February, Stephen led a debate on the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) to follow up the recommendations for improving the service made by his committee in April last year.

The CMS works out when and how much parents should pay to support their child when they are separated. Parents can reach private arrangements that are not supervised by the CMS, or the CMS can calculate how much is owed and enforce payment.

Last year, the Work and Pensions Select Committee, which Stephen chairs, investigated the workings of the CMS. They raised concerns about a lack of evidence that the CMS is increasing the number of arrangements between parents and fears that many payments calculated by the CMS are unaffordable to parents. The report made several recommendations for improving the service.

Today, Stephen led a debate to follow up on the committee’s report. He asked the Government for updates on their review of child maintenance calculations and what plans they have to monitor the number of arrangements between parents. He also pressured the Government on the poor customer service that many parents experience from the CMS.

“This service does have a very tough job against a backdrop of pain and conflict,” Stephen concluded. “It is very difficult to provide a good service in that situation, but there are improvements that the Government can and should make.”

Stephen questions the defunding of the Inter Faith Network

Last Thursday, 22 February, Stephen raised an Urgent Question in Parliament to challenge the Government’s plans to withdraw funding from the Inter Faith Network.

The Inter Faith Network is the leading charity promoting inter-faith dialogue in the UK. It has promoted mutual understanding between people of different faiths since 1987.

The Government initially threatened to withdraw funding from the Inter Faith Network on 31 March. They then offered the Network £115,000 in July 2023 to fund its operations between July 2023 and March 2024. However, the Government later u-turned again and withdrew the funding. On 7 February, the Network warned that without further funding it would struggle to survive. On 22 February, it announced its imminent closure.

Stephen raised an Urgent Question - a parliamentary procedure that allows MPs to request a Minister come to Parliament to answer questions - about the closure of the Network. Noting reports of heightened Islamophobia and antisemitism, Stephen said it is“extraordinarily stupid to be shutting down, at this precise point, our principle vehicle for Muslim-Jewish dialogue. Surely we need more dialogue!”

The Government contended that they withdrew funding after the Network appointed a trustee who is also a member of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB). However, Stephen pointed out that the Government first threatened to withdraw funding on 31 March 2023, before the trustee was appointed.

Stephen interviewed by The Guardian about the English Test Scandal

On Monday, 12 February, Stephen talked to The Guardian about the still-unresolved English Test Scandal, when the Home Office revoked the visas of 35,000 overseas students based on allegations of cheating in the Home Office-approved English language test.

In 2014, the BBC revealed cheating in English language tests that overseas students are required to take to renew their visas. The Home Office responded by revoking the visas of 35,000 students, claiming that 97% of students who sat the tests between 2011 and 2014 had cheated. The decision resulted in 2,500 students being deported and around 7,200 leaving the country.

However, campaigners believe many students were wrongfully accused. The English Test Service initially offered no evidence against the students accused. Around 3,600 student had the allegation reversed after appealing to an immigration tribunal.

“The figure of 97% seemed absurd,” Stephen explained in the interview, “something had gone very badly wrong.”

Stephen has campaigned on the issue since 2015, when distressed constituents began raising their problems in his weekly surgery. Stephen told The Guardian of one student whose parents put their life savings into his studies. When he was accused of cheating, he could not bear the shame of going home.

“At the moment the Home Office is still in full denial, but once the truth is fully understood I find it difficult to see how applications for compensation can be avoided,” Stephen said.

Stephen calls on the Government to extend the Household Support Fund

Today, 31 January, Stephen led a debate in Parliament on the Household Support Fund (HSF), which has given councils over £2 billion to invest in crisis support. Stephen urged the Government to extend the Household Support Fund past March, when it is scheduled to end.

The HSF has invested over £2 billion in crisis support by councils since October 2021. Research by End Furniture Poverty shows that 62% of local crisis support by councils came from the HSF in 2022/23. It is due to end in March, and the Government has not committed to extending it

In Newham, the Council has used the Fund to give Holiday Food vouchers to 19,000 school children and Hardship payments to over 30,000 households to help them with rising rent and energy prices. Newham Council received over £13 million from the HSF since 2021.

Stephen led a debate in Parliament on the Household Support Fund today, 31 January. He urged the Government to extend the HSF and argued for a long-term plan to fund crisis support by local councils.

“Local welfare spending fell 87% from 2010/11 to 2019/20… that decline was only ended by the Household Support Fund,” Stephen said.

"Failing to extend the Fund now with no replacement for it would end vital support in the midst of a continuing crisis.”

Jo Churchill, the Minister of State for Employment, responded to the debate for the Government. She stated that “no decision has been made” and the Government is “keeping the Fund under review”.


Stephen asks for more aid to Syria

Stephen has written to the Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, asking that the government provide more help to those effected by the earthquake in Syria and Turkey last year. 

The earthquake last February claimed more than 6,000 lives in Syria and 50,000 in Turkey. Stephen’s letter to David Cameron noted that the United Nations had failed to implement a much-needed disaster relief plan for Syria. He also raised concerns that the World Food Programme stopped providing food assistance for Syria earlier this year.

Speaking about the letter, Stephen said “I am troubled that the UK government is not leading the way in providing aid to Syria. The Syrian people have faced unimaginable worries since the earthquakes last year. We cannot forget them. It is important that the UK – and other governments – work together to help re-build the country.”

Stephen signs the Holocaust Educational Trust Book of Commitment

On Tuesday 16 January, ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day, Stephen signed the Holocaust Educational Trust Book of Commitment to pledge his commitment to raising awareness and understanding of the Holocaust and remembering the millions of people murdered in it.

Holocaust Memorial Day is the international day of remembrance of the six million Jews, and millions of people from other communities, murdered in the Holocaust alongside more recent genocides Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. It takes place on 27 January to mark the day that Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp, was liberated.

After signing the book, Stephen said, “Holocaust Memorial Day is an important opportunity to honour the memory of those who were murdered during the Holocaust. Remembrance is essential to learning from the past to create a safer future.”

Stephen celebrates Thai Pongal and Tamil Heritage Month

On Monday 15 January, Stephen hosted a celebration of Thai Pongal and Tamil Heritage Month organised by the British Tamil Forum in Parliament.

Thai Pongal is a Hindu harvest festival celebrated by the Tamil community. Thai is the tenth month of the Tamil calendar and usually falls between mid-January and mid-February. The period represents the beginning of the traditional harvest period, and Thai Pongal is celebrated to welcome the new yield.

The British Tamil Forum, which exists to represent the Tamil community within Britain, organises an annual celebration of Thai Pongal in Parliament supported by the All Parliamentary Group for Tamils. This year, Stephen hosted the event in the CPA room in Parliament, and he delivered a short speech to welcome guests.

Speaking after the event, Stephen said, “I was delighted to host such a joyous event. The Tamil community - with their long history and rich culture - enrich Britain, especially in my constituency of East Ham.”

"Backing assisted suicide isn’t left-wing. Blair and Corbyn alike opposed it"

If ever an issue deserves careful thought, and not simply a kneejerk response, it is the issue of assisted suicide.  It has returned to the news cycle in recent weeks, thanks to Esther Ranzen and is likely soon to return to Westminster.

The issue is an emotive one, but, notwithstanding the undoubtedly tragic cases we regularly hear used in its support, it is also a complex one that requires serious consideration of both sides of the argument.

Just as party leaders need to dispel myths on the campaign trail – “Labour can’t be trusted with the economy”, “all politicians are the same” – so various myths require dispelling when it comes to assisted suicide. One such myth is that support for such legislation is a left-wing idea in contrast to uncompassionate, reactionary Conservatives who wish to condemn those suffering to undignified deaths.

This myth can be readily dispelled both in practice and on principle.

Votes on assisted suicide have been unsuccessful

In practice, it is instructive to remember that there have been multiple attempts in living memory to introduce ‘assisted dying’, all of which have been unsuccessful.

Most recently in 2021, Conservative peer Lord Forsyth introduced an amendment to the Health and Care Bill that would have compelled the Government to draft an assisted suicide bill to lay before Parliament.

This has followed a number of other attempts in the Lords and two attempts in the Commons; both of which were heavily defeated, once under a Labour Government, at the height of New Labour’s popularity in 1997, and once under a Conservative Government in 2015.

The Assisted Dying Bill in 2015 was rejected by 330 votes to 118 and not simply because of Conservative numbers – 92 Labour MPs opposed the Bill while only 73 supported it. To put it differently, less than a decade ago, in a free vote, fewer than one-third of Labour MPs voted in favour of assisted suicide.

Nor can this be explained by the ascendancy of a particular wing within the party – attempts to legislate for assisted suicide have failed to command majority support in the parliamentary party under both New Labour and in the Corbyn-led era. Indeed, Jeremy Corbyn personally spoke passionately against any reduction in the current protections for vulnerable people.

Why we should show caution as the party of the vulnerable

When it comes to principle, there are good reasons for those of us on the left to exercise caution. If caution was justified in 1997 and 2015, we have more reason to be wary today since the introduction and subsequent rapid expansion of euthanasia in Canada in 2016, and its expansion in recent years in the Netherlands and Belgium to include minors and people with mental illness.

As the party of the vulnerable, the voiceless and the victim, the stories that have emerged from these countries ought to give us significant pause for thought – data shows that people with disabilities, the poor and those who fear being a burden to their relatives are all at risk when assisted suicide is permitted, while investing in high-quality palliative care, which is harder to access for the impoverished, can easily be marginalised when assisted suicide is allowed.

Parliament has considered – and rejected – assisted suicide in different guises on several occasions in recent years in both Houses. Indeed, over the last year, it has been engaged in a substantial year-long inquiry on the subject through the cross-party Health and Social Care Select Committee (HSCSC).

We shouldn’t pledge support or a free vote

As part of its inquiry, the Committee visited Oregon, often considered the gold standard for assisted suicide by campaigners who wish to distract attention from Canada but where patients have been permitted deaths for conditions including anorexia, arthritis, diabetes and hernias.

We await the Committee’s final report but the oral evidence sessions have suggested my colleagues on the Labour benches have been troubled by what they have learned from Oregon and elsewhere.

The latest attempt to promote assisted suicide came in a series of media comments by the Conservative MP, Kit Malthouse.

Perhaps it should not surprise us that the radical individualism of some Conservatives should lead them to favour radical autonomy in this area, even at the risk of dire societal outcomes for the vulnerable. But in my view that should not be the position of those of us on the left.

My advice to Labour prospective parliamentary candidates, and MPs, if asked their views on assisted suicide through the activity of well-funded, supportive campaign groups is simple: to pledge neither support for the practice nor for another free vote on a subject Parliament has looked at in depth only recently via the Select Committee.

Instead, a prudent response would be to pledge to explore and listen carefully to both sides of the argument and then to vote in whatever way will protect the most vulnerable, while supporting greater investment in palliative and social care.

This article was originally published on LabourList. It can be viewed here.

Stephen questions the Prime Minister about food bank use

Yesterday, Tuesday 19 December, Stephen questioned the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, about food bank use, support for low-income renters, and the Household Support Fund at the Liaison Committee.

The Liaison Committee aims to promote effective scrutiny of the Government and consists of the chairs of all other select committees in the House of Commons. The Committee usually interviews the Prime Minister three times a year. Stephen is on the Liaison Committee because he is the chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee.

Stephen focused his questions on rising food bank use - a recent Trussell Trust report shows that food bank use has increased by 16% since last year.

At his first Liaison Committee appearance, in December 2022, the Prime Minister had told Stephen that he hoped to see food bank use falling by the time of the election. Stephen asked the Prime Minister if he still thought that was likely.

“When you came to the Committee for the first time a year ago,” Stephen said, “you said that you hoped that, by the time of the election, food bank demand would be falling. Do you think that is likely to be the case?”

The Prime Minister responded that he is “generally confident that the policies [that the Government] are putting in place are making a difference to help the most vulnerable,” however he suggested that inflation over the last year had tempered his hopes of food bank use falling.

Stephen also pushed the Prime Minister on policies to support low-income renters and families facing deprivation. He urged the Prime Minister to uprate the Local Housing Allowance, which sets how much housing benefit a person can receive to help them pay rent, annually. It was frozen for the last five years. He also asked the Prime Minister to consider extending the Household Support Fund - a scheme that help Councils offer support to families in deprivation.

“People have had to dig into other benefit income in order to pay the rent, because the housing support has not increased,” Stephen explained, “I think there is a very strong case for keeping it uprated.”

Stephen meets with Carers UK and Smart Energy GB

On Wednesday 13 December, Stephen attended an event run by Carers UK to learn about the resources available to support people with unpaid caring responsibilities.

Unpaid carers are people who look after friends or family members who have a disability or need extra support as they age. There were five million unpaid carers in the England and Wales in the 2021 Census. In Newham, 21,556 people, or 6.5% of the population, are unpaid carers.

At the event on Wednesday, Carers UK shared several resources that can help unpaid carers. These included Carers UK’s website, which has a large repository of practical support, and their helpline, which is available on 0808 808 7777 from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday. Carers UK also offer “Care for a Cuppa” online meet-ups to connect unpaid carers, and they have created Jointly - an app designed to make caring easier and less stressful.

“I was delighted to meet with Carers UK and hear about the important work they are doing to support carers across the UK and in East Ham,” Stephen said after the event. “Carers are invaluable to our communities.”


Stephen challenges the Prime Minister about increases to visa income requirements

Update: Since this post was written the Government has u-turned. On 21 December, they announced that the minimum income threshold would only rise to £29,000 with no timeline for the increase to £38,700.

At Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday, Stephen asked the Prime Minister about the Government’s announcement that they are increasing minimum income requirements on visas to £38,700.

On 4 December, the Government announced plans to increase the income that people have to earn to get a UK visa to £38,700. The increase applies to family visas, meaning British citizens wanting to bring a foreign family member or partner would have to earn more than £38,700. The Government did not announce whether the change would apply to people already living in the UK renewing their visa.

Stephen challenged the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, about the change at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday 13 December. He urged the Prime Minister whether the increased requirements would apply to visa renewals and urged the Government to consider transitional arrangements to support people affected.

“The marriage plans of thousands of couples were dashed last week by the sudden announcement a big increase in the salary requirement for a spouse visa,” Stephen said. “Does [the Prime Minister’s] party’s support for the family now only apply to the highly paid?”

The Prime Minister accepted the need for transitional arrangements in response to Stephen’s questions, saying “it is also right to look at transitional arrangements to ensure that they are fair. The Home Office are actively looking at this and will set out further arrangements in due course.”

Stephen speaks about leasehold reform

Yesterday, Stephen spoke in the second reading of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill. Stephen was disappointed that the Bill fails to end leasehold, as the Government promised, but welcomed several regulatory changes that will, at least, improve leasehold.

Leasehold is a form of property ownership where the leaseholder owns the property but not the land it is on, which is owned by a freeholder. The leaseholder pays ground rent and service charges to the freeholder, despite owning their own home. Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities, described leasehold as “an outdated feudal system” in January.

The Government has introduced the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill to make it easier for leaseholders to buy the freehold on their property and strengthen leaseholders’ rights. Disappointingly, the Bill fails to end leasehold for good, as promised by the Government.

Stephen spoke in the second reading of the Bill. He criticised the Government for failing to end leasehold, while welcoming smaller reforms in the Bill.

Stephen raised the case of Barrier Point in East Ham, where leaseholders have found themselves paying between £6,000 and £12,000 extra in insurance premiums after flammable cladding was found in one of the building’s towers. He pointed out that a ban on insurance commissions and greater legal rights will help leaseholders in similar circumstances.

However, Stephen noted that the Bill does not address particular issues in the case of Barrier Point, such as the imbalance in liability between leaseholders who exercise their Right to Manage and their freeholder. He also urged the Government to make it easier for leaseholders in large multi-occupancy buildings, like Barrier Point, to purchase the freehold.

Lastly, Stephen suggested an amendment to the Bill on asbestos management. In apartment blocks, the landlord or freeholder often has regulated duties to manage asbestos in shared areas in the development. Leaseholder who buy their freehold can find themselves encumbered by unexpected and costly obligations. Stephen suggested requiring freeholders remove any asbestos before selling up to leaseholders.

“I am disappointed the Government are not abolishing the leasehold system like they promised and the Bill could certainly be improved,” Stephen said after the debate. “However, I am pleased the Government is, at least, strengthening the rights of leaseholders. It is a small step in the right direction.”

Stephen celebrates Westminster Eye Health Day

Yesterday in Parliament, Stephen joined the Eyes Have It Partnership to celebrate Westminster Eye Health Day. The day is an annual event to raise awareness of the importance of eye health.

The Eyes Have It Partnership is a group of charities, including the Royal National Institute for Blindness and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, that work to raise awareness of eye health in Parliament.

This year, the Eye Have It Partnership are calling for a national eye care plan in England to drive improvements in health outcomes. In East Ham, 37.3% of people were waiting over 12 weeks for specialist NHS eye care treatment as of July 2023.

“It was a pleasure to attend the Westminster Eye Health Day,” Stephen said. “Eye health matters a great deal. The Government needs to do more to get waiting lists down and increase access to specialist care.”

Stephen criticises Government plans to inspect bank accounts

Yesterday, Wednesday 29 November, Parliament debated the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill. Stephen spoke in the debate to criticise wide-ranging powers that Government amendments to the bill would give ministers to inspect the bank accounts of people on social security.

The Data Protection and Digital Information (DPDI) Bill aims to create a new regime for digital rights and data protection in the UK. Ahead of its third reading in Parliament, the Government proposed new amendments, including New Clause 34, that would grant ministers the power to inspect the bank accounts of people claiming benefits and the State Pension.

The Government argues that the powers to inspect social security claimants bank accounts are to reduce fraud and error. However, there are no clear safeguards to the powers and ministers only admitted that the powers would include people claiming the State Pension when questioned by Stephen in the House of Commons. The Minister also could not give an example of where those powers would be used.

“The proposal in the Bill is for surveillance where there is absolutely no suspicion at all, which is a substantial expansion of the state’s powers to intrude,” Stephen said.

“I think that all of us would agree, whatever party we are in, that the powers of the state should be limited to those absolutely necessary. The power in the new clause is definitely not absolutely necessary.”

Stephen speaks about the Autumn Statement

Yesterday in Parliament, Stephen spoke in the debate following the Autumn Statement. Stephen welcomed the Government’s decision to uprate benefits and rebase the local housing allowance rates, while criticising the Government’s wider benefit reforms.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, delivered his Autumn Statement, setting out the Government’s plans for taxation and spending, on Wednesday 22 November. Stephen responded to the Statement in the following debate, saying “after the misery of the past few years, we must all hope that [Labour’s plan] is put in place next year, finally, to reignite much needed growth in the UK economy.”

In October, it was reported that the Chancellor was considering not increasing working-age benefits in line with inflation. Research by the Resolution Foundation showed this would lead to 400,000 more children growing up in poverty. Stephen wrote to the Chancellor in October to urge him to reconsider and was delighted that the Chancellor had.

Stephen was also pleased that the Chancellor agreed to rebase local housing allowance rates (LHA), which Stephen had also written to him about. LHA caps the amount of housing benefit that low-income households can receive towards their rent. LHA has been frozen since 2020. Crisis, the homelessness charity, estimated that freezing LHA actually costed the Government £2 billion per year by driving up homelessness.

However, Stephen was critical of the Government’s wider reforms to benefits. He said that “3.8 million people were experiencing destitution in the UK last year” according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, while “food bank demand is 16% higher this year than it was last year” according to the Trussell Trust.

Stephen criticised the Government’s reforms to assessments for disability and health benefits. Consultation on changes to the Work Capability Assessment - which assesses whether someone who is disabled is able to work - have been “rushed and inadequate,” Stephen said.

Stephen further argued against increasing the harshness of the Government’s sanction regime. He noted the lack of evidence that sanctions help people back into work, and pointed out that he had received a letter with 70 signatures from single parent groups, children’s charities, and domestic abuse charities stating that new work requirements for carers with young children are simply excessive.

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