Stephen tells ministers to fix overpayments of carer's allowance on BBC's Money Box

On Saturday 27 April, Stephen spoke to Money Box on BBC Radio 4 about the Government fining carers who are unwittingly overpaid carer’s allowance. Stephen urged the Government to raise the limit and to notify carers when they breach it.

People who care for someone for at least 35 hours per week can receive £81.90 per week in carer’s allowance so long as they do not earn over £151 per week. However, The Guardian this week revealed that over 156,000 carers are being fined by the Department for Work and Pensions for unwittingly earning above the £151 limit.

Speaking to Money Box on BBC Radio 4, Stephen highlighted that the Department for Work and Pensions is often notified when someone breaches the £151 per week limit, through its Real Time Information system, but leaves carers to incur the debt without warning them. In dozens of cases, carers have built up debts worth over £20,000.

“The Government policy is to encourage carers into work but this system and this danger of overpayments makes it very risky to be working while claiming carer’s allowance,” Stephen said.

“[The Government should] uprate the carer’s allowance earnings limit in line with the national living wage, so someone claiming carer’s allowance in a fixed hours minimum wage job wouldn’t be pushed over the earning limit just earning a living wage.”

Stephen welcomes the Buckland Review into Autism and Employment

On Thursday 24 April, Parliament debated The Buckland Review into Autism and Employment. Stephen welcomed the review and many of its findings while urging the Government to go further in helping people with autism into work.

People with autism have one of the lowest rates of employment of any group in the UK. Only three-in-ten autistic people wanting to work are in employment. This is despite the enormous contribution that people with autism can make - some statistics show autistic people can be between 45% and 145% more productive in the workplace.

The Buckland Review of Autism and Employment, led by Sir Robet Buckland KC MP, was released on 28 February. The Review investigated how the Government could boost the number of autistic people in work, make workplaces more friendly to them, and better harness their skills.

Parliament debated The Buckland Review into Autism and Employment on Thursday 24 April. Stephen spoke in the debate.

While welcoming the Review and its conclusions, Stephen urged the Government to go further, by aiming to increase the employment rate of people with autism to the employment rate of people with disabilities. He also pointed out flaws in Government programmes - like Disability Confident - that undermine the Government’s attempts to help autistic people in the workplace.

“The report rightly highlights the huge size of the autism employment gap,” Stephen said. “But, my fear is that a lack of ambition has regrettably marked the Government’s efforts on disability employment for some time.”

“As [Sir Robert Buckland] spells out with passion in his foreword, at the moment, we are ‘missing out on the skills and energy that autistic people could be contributing, to the detriment of us all.’”

Stephen urges the Government to reform carer's allowance

On Monday, Stephen spoke in a debate about Carer’s Allowance in Parliament, urging the Government to reform it.

On Monday 22 April, MPs debated e-petition 640062 that calls for Carer’s Allowance to be increased to match the earnings of someone working 35 hours per week at the minimum wage. The petition received 13,914 signatures. Stephen spoke in the debate.

Stephen noted that the Work and Pensions Select Committee, which he chairs, called for an overhaul of carer’s allowance as far back as 2008. He noted that his committee is still waiting for the Government to release a report on Carer’s Allowance that it promised in 2019.

Stephen urged the Government to consider increasing Carer’s Allowance, pointing out that it is £10 per week less than Jobseeker’s Allowance. He also argued that the earnings limit - which prevents anyone earning more than £151 from receiving Carer’s Allowance - prevents many carers from working.

“For the best part of two decades now the Work and Pensions Committee and its predecessors have been calling on the Government to reform carer’s allowance,” Stephen said. “Challenges raised in [the 2008] report remain unaddressed 16 years later.”

Carer’s allowance is a benefit given by the Government to people unable to work due to caring responsibilities. People who care for someone for at least 35 hours per week can receive £81.90 per week.

Stephen argues against increasing minimum income requirements on family visas

Last year, the Government announced plans to increase the minimum income requirement on visas for people bringing their spouses into the UK to £38,700 by 2025. Stephen argued against this increase on Tuesday 23 April in Parliament.

The Government plans to raise the minimum amount a person must earn to get a visa for their family to £38,700 by 2025. On Tuesday 23 April, MPs hosted a debate about the increase in Westminster Hall. Stephen joined the debate to speak against the change.

In his speech, Stephen pointed out that 70% of UK citizens would not meet the new requirement. He noted that the Government’s own data shows family visas were only 5% of total entry visas. Stephen argued that increasing the minimum income requirement would barely reduce immigration, while separating couples from each other and their children.

“The increase in the minimum income requirement”, Stephen said, “will be ineffective, it will be unfair, and it will be harmful. It should be scrapped.”

The Government originally planned to raise minimum income requirements to £38,700 from this April. The Government delayed the increase under pressure from MPs, including Stephen asking the Prime Minister about the issue directly. Instead, the minimum income requirement was increased to £29,000 in April and the Government pledged to raise it further to £38,700 by 2025.

Stephen backs Vera Lynn memorial campaign

On Tuesday 16 April, Stephen signed a letter to the Prime Minister urging him to provide funding for a memorial to Dame Vera Lynn CH DBE OStJ. Dame Vera Lynn was born in East Ham in 1917 and famously sang “We’ll Meet Again” and “The White Cliffs of Dover”, raising morale in World War Two.

Dame Vera Lynn was born in East Ham in 1917 and lived with her parents on Ladysmith Avenue from 1921 to 1938. She bought her parents a house in Barking after her musical success, and stayed in touch with Brampton Primary School, where she was a pupil, until she died in 2020 aged 103.

During the Second World War, Dame Vera Lynn recorded several morale boosting songs, including “The White Cliffs of Dover”, bringing her to fame. After the war, Dame Vera Lynn contributed tirelessly to charitable causes, helping ex-servicemen and disabled children, and combatting breast cancer. She was voted the Briton who best exemplified the spirit of the twentieth century in 2000.

Speaking about the campaign for a memorial to Dame Vera Lynn, Stephen said, "Vera Lynn was born and bred in East Ham, and played a unique role in Britain's history - lifting morale at one of our darkest points.  Her long and fruitful life richly deserves to be commemorated with a statue, and I hope the campaign is successful."

Stephen nominates Healthier Wealthier Families Newham for the NHS Parliamentary Awards 2024

Today, Stephen nominated the Healthier Wealthier Families programme in Newham for the Health Equalities award in the 2024 NHS Parliamentary Awards.

Healthier Wealthier Families programme was launched in February 2023. It aims to improve the financial wellbeing of children and their families supported by Specialist Children & Young People’s Services (SCYPS).

Many parents looking after children with complex medical needs are unable to work, because of their caring responsibilities. Working in partnership with Our Money Newham, the programme offers families free debt, budgeting, and benefits advice, helping families receive more than £4,500 extra income each.

One family helped by the programme said, “Now we get the foodstuff. We can get bulk shopping… the money can go further. We can eat properly.”

The NHS Parliamentary Awards were set up in 2018 to celebrate the NHS’s 70th birthday. Members of Parliament can nominate NHS staff, teams, and programmes from their constituency to recognise their contribution across ten categories. This year, Stephen nominated Healthier Wealthier Families for the Health Equalities award.

“I am delighted to nominate Healthier Wealthier Families for the NHS Parliamentary Awards,” Stephen said. “They have helped many families across Newham through the worst of the cost-of-living crisis. Their hard work deserves recognition.”

Stephen urges action to reduce pensioner poverty alongside Independent Age UK

Yesterday, 16 April, Stephen spoke at Independent Age UK’s event “Pensioner Poverty: What the next Government should do.” Stephen urged the Government to raise awareness of Pension Credit to help reduce poverty.

Independent Age UK is running a campaign called “two million too many” to raise awareness of the 2.2 million pensioners in relative poverty. Yesterday, as part of the campaign, Stephen spoke about pensioner poverty on a panel organised by Independent Age.

Stephen argued that the proportion of pensioners living in poverty is too high. He noted that pensioner poverty had, until 2015, been declining for over a decade. Stephen urged the Government to make greater use of Pension Credit to tackle poverty.

“The tools to reduce pensioner poverty are available to the Government,” Stephen said after the event. “Sadly, the DWP is not making enough use of them. If everyone who was eligible for Pension Credit received it, pensioner poverty would be much lower than it is now. The Government must increase up-take.”

Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit for low-income pensioners. However, data from the Department for Work and Pensions shows only 63% of those entitled to Pension Credit receive it. Research from Loughbrough University found that, if everyone who was eligible for it received it, pensioner poverty would be at least five percentage points lower than it is now.

Last year, 2.2 million pensioners - 19% of all pensioners - were in relative poverty before housing costs. This is the highest proportion since 2008/09, when it was 20%. Pensioners are still less likely to be in poverty than children (22%) or people with disabilities (20%).

Stephen asks Ministers to ban imports of dogs with cropped ears

Stephen has written to the Environment Secretary, Steve Barclay, asking him to introduce a ban on the importation of ear-cropped dogs.

A number of residents in East Ham have been in touch with Stephen in recent weeks about the trade of domestic pets. They have asked him to support the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets Bill).

The Bill was introduced by Selaine Saxby last month, despite calls that measures be brought forward sooner. The legislation has passed its second reading in the House of Commons and MPs are now considering it at Committee stage.

In his letter, Stephen noted that existing legislation had failed to address the problem of ear-cropping, which can have long-lasting health implications on animals. There is widespread support for a ban on this practice, with many of Stephen’s constituents noting that “…it will give a significant boost for animal welfare.”

Having sent the letter, Stephen said, “I share the concerns of my constituents about this issue. It is clear existing legislation does not go far enough to protect these animals.

“It is puzzling as to why ministers have been so slow in introducing safeguards that are so desperately needed.”

Stephen marks Wold Parkinson's Day

On Wednesday 20 March, Stephen attended a drop-in for World Parkinson’s Day hosted by Parkinson’s UK.

Parkinson’s disease is a disease in which the brain becomes progressively more damaged over the years. It is caused by the loss of nerve cells in the substantia nigra part of the brain. The disease mostly affects over 50s. World Parkinson’s Day is held annually on 11 April to raise awareness of the condition.

Parkinson’s UK hosted a drop-in session in parliament on 20 March to brief MPs ahead of World Parkinson’s Day. They shared stories from people suffering from the disease as well as updating MPs on the latest research and treatments against it. Stephen attended the drop-in.

“Parkinson’s is an awful disease, and I am grateful for all the work that Parkinson’s UK do to support those suffering from it,” Stephen said after the event. “I hope World Parkinson’s Day will continue to raise awareness of the disease.”

Stephen calls for UK Government to do more to support children in need of palliative care

The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Children Who Need Palliative Care hosted a reception on Tuesday 19 March ahead of releasing their report Short Lives Can’t Wait: the state of children’s palliative care in 2024. Stephen attended the reception to hear about the current state of children’s palliative care.

Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life for patients with serious and life-threatening diseases. The APPG for Children Who Need Palliative Care is a cross-party group in parliament that seeks to inform MPs and Peers about children’s palliative care.

At the event on Tuesday, the charity Together for Short Lives spoke about the current state of the children’s palliative care sector and the barriers preventing children accessing high quality care. The event comes ahead of a report that the APPG will publish on Friday, called Short Lives Can’t Wait: the state of children’s palliative care in 2024.

“I was grateful to hear from Together for Short Lives and the APPG for Children Who Need Palliative Care,” Stephen said after the event. “Too many children are being denied the high quality palliative care they deserve. The Government must act to support them.”

The number of children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions has trebled in the last 20 years and is set to rise further due to advances in medical technology.

Families that care for a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening illness can call the Together for Short Lives helpline on 0808 8088 100 Mon-Fri 9am-4pm for emotional, practical, and financial support or visit www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk/get-support.

Stephen attends drop-in session uncovering the hidden challenges of vascular and venous disease

Yesterday, 19 March, the All Party Parliamentary Group for Vascular and Venous disease hosted a drop-in session in Parliament to launch their report on the challenges that people living with such diseases face. Stephen joined the session to learn about how he can support people with vascular and venous diseases in East Ham.

Vascular and venous disease include any disease that affect the system of blood vessels that circulate blood around the body. For example, venous thromboembolism (VTE) affects 1-in-20 people in the UK and occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein and partially or completely obstructs blood flow. If left untreated, VTE can lead to disability and even death.

On Tuesday 19 March, the All Party Parliamentary Group for Vascular and Venous diseases launched their report Preventing the Preventable, which explores the hidden challenges that stop people with VTE being treated. Their report points out that nearly two-thirds of VTE are preventable with the right risk assessment and administration of thromboprophylaxis.

Stephen joined the report launch and drop-in session to hear how these challenges affect people in East Ham.

“Many people in East Ham either live with vascular and venous diseases, or will experience them throughout their life,” Stephen said after the event. “It is essential we get procedures right in our health service so they are well treated. The APPG for Vascular and Venous disease’s report shows how we can do that.”

Stephen celebrates five years since CAR T-Cell therapy was approved in the UK

January 2024 marked five years since NHS England became the first health system in Europe to approve the groundbreaking cancer treatment, CAR T-Cell Therapy. Stephen joined Gilead Sciences at a parliamentary event to celebrate.

CAR T-Cell therapy re-engineers a person’s own immune system to detect and destroy cancerous cells in their body. The therapy produces chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that enable T cells to identify and attack cancer. It is mainly used to treat children with leukemia.

The UK was the first country in Europe to approve the use of CAR T-Cell therapy, in January 2019. This week, Gilead Sciences hosted a parliamentary reception to celebrate five years since the treatment was approved. The event was hosted in partnership with the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult and the Advanced Therapy Treatment Centres Network.

Speaking after attending the event, Stephen said, “I am proud that the NHS was the first health system in Europe to approve CAR T-Cell Therapy. It shows the important role the NHS can play in encouraging new innovations in medical research, while providing the best possible care to everyone who needs it.”

Stephen writes to Foreign Secretary about Pakistan elections

Stephen has written to the Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, about the recent election in Pakistan.

A number of constituents have been in contact with Stephen in recent weeks outlining their concerns about how the elections were conducted. They allege that the Pakistani authorities manipulated votes against Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf Party. Mr Khan has since been sentenced to 10 years in prison. His supporters claim that the charges against him are politically motivated.

The Commonwealth Observer Group visited Pakistan at the end of February at the invitation of the Election Commission of Pakistan. In its interim statement, the group noted several concerns including the restriction of internet and mobile phone access on election day. The report is due to be shared with the Pakistani government shortly.

Having sent his letter, Stephen said “I am aware that there are concerns surrounding the recent election in Pakistan. I am grateful to the Commonwealth Observer Group for visiting the country and will certainly read their report once it is published.”

“I will be sure to send the Foreign Secretary’s reply to my constituents who have been in touch about this once I have received it.”

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.”

It was disappointing that, launching the Disability Action Plan last week, the Minister didn't have much to say about employment. We were told in October that officials were "refining the recommendations" of the review of Disability Confident, but we still don't know the outcome pic.twitter.com/CSFVY5Lpyg

— Sir Stephen Timms (@stephenctimms) February 11, 2024

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.

Last week, Ministers announced the extraordinarily stupid decision - on ridiculous grounds - not to provide @IFNetUK with funding for 2023-4, promised last July, thus ensuring its closure, at a time when everyone can see the urgent need for more inter-faith dialogue. pic.twitter.com/aaFkekyXli

— Sir Stephen Timms (@stephenctimms) February 25, 2024

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.