Stephen urges action on Mynamar

Earlier today, Stephen wrote a letter to the Foreign Secretary asking him to take urgent action about the situation in Myanmar.

In February, elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and members of her national league for democracy were detained during protests. The Myanmar military have since ceased control and declared a year long state of emergency. The coup followed a general election in which the national league for democracy won by a landslide. The armed forces which backed the opposition as demanding a rerun of the vote, claiming widespread fraud.

In his letter to the Foreign Secretary, Stephen suggested a number of actions that the UK government could take. These included a global arms embargo and joining the genocide case at the International Court of Justice.

Having sent the letter, Stephen said “I condemn moves by the Myanmar military in taking control of the country by force. It is important the democratic rights of the people of Myanmar must be upheld.

“I would urge the UK government to support the International Court of Justice genocide case against Myanmar and provide greater support for Rohingya Muslims.”

Stephen writes to Foreign Secretary about Israel's human rights record

Stephen has written to the Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, asking that he raise the issue of Israel’s human rights record at the UN Human Rights Council.

The current session of the Human Rights Council is currently taking place in Geneva. In advance of the meeting Stephen was contacted by a number of constituents who were troubled by the UK’s record of abstaining in previous votes that were critical of Israel’s human rights policy.

In his letter Stephen urged the Foreign Secretary to find a “sustainable solution” to the question of Palestine based on principles of international law. He noted that his constituents believed Israel should be obligated to follow international law, something which they have failed to do in the past.

Speaking about the letter Stephen said, “A number of my constituents have been in touch with me about this in recent weeks, so I felt it was important to relay their concerns to the Foreign Secretary.

“Without the insistence on basic protections for the rights of Palestinians, we will never make the progress we all want to see towards a long term, sustainable peace in the Middle East. I will continue to press the Government on the actions it is taking on these issues and follow any developments closely.”

Stephen presses government to act on household overcrowding

On Wednesday 10 March, Stephen led a Westminster Hall debate in Parliament on household overcrowding and the coronavirus pandemic.

East Ham has the highest percentage of overcrowding of any constituency in the country, with 27% of residents reporting living in overcrowded conditions in the 2011 census.

In the debate, Stephen set out the impact of overcrowding on mental and physical wellbeing. Individuals living in overcrowded conditions are more likely to experience mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, and Covid 19 pandemic has only highlighted and exacerbated these problems.

Stephen also highlighted the disproportionate impact and challenges which faced ethnic minority communities in housing. For instance, 34% of all Bangladeshi households are overcrowded. The figure for Pakistani households is 18% and Black African 16%, compared with 2% for White British households. Stephen urged the Government to ‘tackle overcrowding to address the racial inequalities in public health’. 

Stephen highlighted that the long term failure to build sufficient homes to keep up with rising demand is the main catalyst for the housing crisis. He questioned Housing Minister Eddie Hughes whether there is a ‘prospect of new investment in social housing on the scale that we need ’. 

The full transcript from the debate can be read here.

Stephen hosts event for East Ham students on exams fiasco

Earlier this week, Stephen hosted a Q&A session for students in East Ham. He was joined by Wes Streeting, Shadow Minister for Schools, Mandeep Gill, Principal of NewVIc, and Mouhssin Ismail, Principal of The NCS. The panel took questions from A Level and GCSE students whose education had been impacted by the Government’s slow response to the pandemic.

Last summer, A Level and GCSE exams were cancelled and centre assessed grades were run through an algorithm before they were issued. Grades were much lower than expected causing the Government to U turn last minute and ask teachers to issue grades based on their own judgement. The Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, recently announced that A Level and GCSE exams will not go ahead this summer and students will instead be awarded their grades based on teacher assessment.

At the Q&A, students raised concerns over the lack of guidance offered during this time, the possibility of grade inflation and the impact this will have on next year’s exams, as well as the impact this will have on university places and employment.

Speaking at the event, Stephen said “Whilst it is good schools and students now know what to prepare for this summer, there are still many questions about how issuing grades will look as we continue through the pandemic. The Government must ensure we will not see a repeat of last year’s exam fiasco this summer.”

Stephen criticises proposed cut to T-Grant

Stephen has written to the Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, criticising plans to axe the London weighting for universities in the capital. 

Earlier this year the Department for Education wrote to the Office for Students about the teaching grant (T-Grant) for 2021 - 2022. It revealed the grant would be cut and pledged to "…remove weightings for London providers from across the T-grant including students attending courses in London and weightings within student premium". The Universities and Colleges Union have warned the decision to cut funding will result in around £64 million being taken from London universities.   

As well as writing to the Education Secretary, Stephen has added his name to Early Day Motion 1546. It notes that the removal of the London weighting will disproportionately impact many students from different backgrounds. It also urges the government to take into account the cost to students of studying in London.

Stephen said "The government must explain why it has decided to cut support for London's world class institutions this is money that London universities desperately need. I urge the Education Secretary to think again"

Maya Taylor-Cook, a second year student at the University of East London, said “If there is a rollback in the weighting London universities receive, I fear vital service, such as mental health support may be cut, This will cause students to suffer.”

Stephen urges Ministers to ban "reckless" evictions over rent arrears

Stephen has co-signed a cross-party letter to the Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick. The letter urges him to ban "reckless" evictions of people with long term rent arrears as a result of the pandemic.

The MPs called for "urgent" action to prevent a new surge in homelessness in the coming weeks. They estimate that thousands of renters with six months of debts risk ending up on the streets.

Half a million private tenants in the UK are behind with their rent, according to research by Citizens Advice. The average amount owed is more than £700, the charity says, and one-in-four private renters in arrears have been threatened with eviction or cancellation of contract by their landlord.

The group points out that the Housing Secretary watered down protections by no longer excluding debts accrued since the coronavirus crisis began, when he extended the current eviction ban in February.

Speaking about the letter Stephen said “I am pleased that a number of MPs from across the House of Commons have recognised these concerns. We are calling on the government to amend the Housing Act to ensure the protection of renters who have lost income during the pandemic.

“The pandemic has had a devastating impact on renters across the country, many who face an immediate and direct risk of homelessness. The government need to take urgent action to protect tenants so that they can feel safe in their homes.”

You can read the group’s letter here.

Stephen accuses Government on breaking promises over fire safety

Credit: Hansard

Stephen has accused the government of breaking its promise to protect leaseholders in East Ham after MPs considered amendments made by the House of Lords to the Fire Safety Bill.

Stephen supported a Lords amendment to place robust requirements on building owners or managers and implement the Phase 1 recommendations of the Grenfell Inquiry. He also supported amendments to prevent freeholders from passing on fire safety remediation costs to leaseholders.  These amendments would have sped up the legislative process, which has already cost leaseholders millions of pounds, by protecting leaseholders from the day the Bill comes into force.

Stephen made a brief speech during the debate, and made specific mention of two local developments at Waterside Park and Upton Gardens. You can watch the speech here.

Speaking afterwards, Stephen said: “I cannot understand why Conservative MPs are consistently voting against vital fire safety measures called for by the Grenfell Inquiry.”

“This Bill was an opportunity for the Government to finally put the public’s safety first and to deliver on the promises it has made to leaseholders.  However, the Government rejected the amendments that I supported, and they were removed from the Bill.”

Home Secretary on TOEIC students: not just clarification, but justice needed

Under questioning from Tim Loughton at the Home Affairs Select Committee on Wednesday 24 February, Home Secretary Priti Patel set out the need to bring justice for international students unfairly caught up in the 'TOEIC' scandal.

A significant number of international students in 2014 lost their right to live and study in the UK after being falsely accused of cheating in the 'TOEIC' English language test. These students have now been in limbo in the years ever since, not allowed to study or work, many unable to afford to clear their names in the courts.

The Home Secretary recognised: "We still have a number of people - too many people, I don’t have the figures at hand– who were caught up in this and we need to find a resolution, and actually to bring not just clarification but also some justice around what has happened."

After the 'TOEIC' court cases due at the Tribunal next week, the Home Secretary agreed to come back to the Committee with what action her department will take.

Stephen said: “Ministers now need to create a mechanism – which can be done within existing Home Office systems – to end the misery for the hundreds, if not thousands, of student victims of Toeic stuck in limbo.”

Stephen pledges support for local pubs in East Ham

Credit: Amie Johnson, Unsplash

Stephen has today pledged his support for the Long Live the Local campaign to help pubs in East Ham. He joins over 500,000 people who have signed the petition so far, including 267 in East Ham alone.

Stephen is calling on the Government to cut beer tax at the Budget. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on brewers and pubs throughout the UK. In 2020 beer sales in pubs fell by 56%, which amounts to £7.8bn in lost sales. The sector needs an immediate boost and the fact that seven in ten alcoholic drinks served in pubs are beer underlines how directly a cut in beer duty can help pubs.

Brewing and pubs in East Ham supports 491 jobs and contributes £19.2m to the local economy. With £1 in every £3 pounds spent in UK pubs going to the taxman, British drinkers pay more in beer duty each year than those in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Ireland combined.

Commenting on the campaign, Stephen said: “Pubs are at the heart of communities across East Ham, but with pubs bearing a disproportionate burden as a result of the pandemic the Government should consider a cut to beer tax. I’m supporting the Long Live the Local campaign and calling on the Chancellor to cut beer tax at this year’s Budget to support pubs in our local communities.”

David Cunningham, Programme Director, Long Live The Local said: “Beer duty has increased by 60% over the last 17 years and now the UK has one of the highest rates of tax in Europe. When over two thirds of all alcoholic drinks purchased in the pub are beers, a cut in beer tax would go a long way to protecting pubs across East Ham that have suffered so much in the last year. We are very grateful to Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP for their support for the Long Live the Local campaign, and hope that the Government listens to MPs across Parliament and the thousands of people across the country who are calling for a cut in beer tax to protect our pubs.”

Stephen backs call for action on climate change on Fairtrade Fortnight

Stephen is backing this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight campaign, which is highlighting how the climate crisis is threatening the future of food and those who produce it.

In a show of support for Fairtrade, Stephen participated in a virtual parliamentary event alongside other politicians to mark the start of Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from 22 February to 7 March.

Hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Fairtrade, the online event featured talks on climate change from Kenyan Fairtrade tea producer Patrick Kaberia Muthaura, chief executive of the Fairtrade Foundation Michael Gidney, and APPG co-chairs Holly Lynch MP and Jason McCartney MP.

Stephen said: “I am delighted to show my support for Fairtrade Fortnight this year, and to back Fairtrade’s call for action to protect rural communities on the front line of the climate crisis worldwide. Climate change is the biggest threat facing farmers today: droughts, floods, storms and other disasters are threatening their livelihoods and their food crops, which many of us here in the UK depend on.

“Buying Fairtrade products is one simple way we can all help to ensure these farmers have the funds they need to tackle the changing climate and protect their crops from weather-related disasters. That’s why it is wonderful to see so many local residents here in xxx committing to using Fairtrade products and to supporting Fairtrade as a key solution for making trade fairer for farmers and workers in lower-income countries.”

Stephen joins call for disabled people to be given £20 lifeline

Stephen has heard how a decision to deny some disabled people £20 per week to help to survive the COVID-19 crisis has left growing numbers unable to pay for rent, food and heating.

For ten months the Government has refused to give emergency funding to over 2.2 million people on legacy benefits – including those on Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Jobseeker’s Allowance. This is despite the fact that Universal Credit claimants in the same circumstances are receiving a financial lifeline of an extra £20 per week.

The launch of the report ‘Pandemic Poverty: Stark choices facing disabled people on legacy benefits’, was hosted by the Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC) –  a network of over 100 organisations including the MS Society, Z2K, Disability Rights UK, MND Association, and Inclusion London, which has been campaigning on this issue for ten months.

To date, the Government has given a number of excuses for not extending the £20 uplift to those on legacy benefits, but they are at best feeble and at worst actively insulting to the people involved. Excuses have ranged from blaming the computer system for making it hard to process an uplift, to saying that people have had an uplift of 35 pence per week already and implying that should be sufficient.

Speaking afterwards, Stephen said: “Disabled people in East Ham have told me how they are bearing extra costs in the pandemic, but are getting no extra help.  For people claiming Universal Credit, the £20 per week uplift has been a lifesaver.  The uplift needs to be maintained, and extended to people claiming the legacy benefits too.”

Stephen leads adjournment debate on "Keeping the Faith"

Stephen has led a debate in the House of Commons on the response of faith groups during the covid-19 outbreak.

In his speech, Stephen drew on the findings of the Keeping the Faith report which was conducted by the Civil Society Unit at Goldsmiths, University of London, and commissioned by the APPG on Faith and Society. Support was also received from the Sir Halley Stewart Trust, the Trussell Trust and the Good Faith partnership. Stephen referenced some of the report’s key findings in his contribution:

• More than two thirds of the councils surveyed reported an increase in partnership working with faith groups.

• 91% described their experience with faith groups as “very positive” or “positive”.

• Nearly 60% of councils have been working with church-based food banks during the pandemic, 24% with mosque-based food banks, 11% with food banks in Gurdwaras, and 10% with food banks in Hindu temples.

• Only 1% expressed “concerns about the possibility of proselytization in the context of partnership working”.

Stephen also urged the government to encourage nationwide adoption of the Faith Covenant – a framework that reflects shared values to foster trust and promote effective collaboration. Interest in the Faith Covenant had continued to accelerate during the past year.

In his closing remarks, the Minister, Eddie Hughes, commended the response of faith communities to the pandemic and the findings of the Keeping the Faith report. He later endorsed the Faith Covenant saying “...such initiatives can help to encourage collaborations that bring about huge benefits for communities. I encourage all councils to look at the faith covenant and take up the challenge to work constructively with faith groups.”

Speaking after the debate, Stephen said: “I was encouraged by the Minister’s comments about the continued roll-out of the Covenant.

“We need our public institutions to be able to work confidently with people whose starting point is religious faith. This has not always happened in the past. This is a shame as many have experience of running very successful practical initiatives that support their local communities.”

Stephen urges Government to keep the £20 a week uplift and extend to legacy benefits

In a debate on the Social Security Uprating Order 2021 on Tuesday 9 December, an annual routine order uprating in line with inflation, Stephen urged the Government again to keep the £20 a week uplift in Universal Credit and extend it to legacy benefits.

In his speech Stephen drew attention to a report from the Disability Benefits Consortium released this month which has found that 82% of disabled claimants have had to spend more money than they normally would during the pandemic.

It comes as the Work and Pensions Committee has today called in a new report for a year-long extension of the £20 a week increase ‘at the very least’. The report has argued that its removal in April while the pandemic still being felt would plunge hundreds of thousands of families into poverty.

Stephen said: "Removing the extra payment in March would represent a failure by Government – failure to recognise the reality of people struggling. Without regular support, hundreds of thousands of families will be swept into poverty or even destitution. Government must end the uncertainty and commit to extending this lifeline."

Stephen unites with Cancer Research UK for World Cancer Day

Stephen has showed his support for all those working to ensure more people survive their cancer during and after the pandemic at a virtual Cancer Research UK event to mark World Cancer Day.

Taking place on 4 February each year, World Cancer Day is an international initiative which inspires individuals and communities to unite against cancer. With the pandemic meaning in-person events aren’t possible, Stephen logged on to link up with Cancer Research UK to learn about the charity’s latest research and show his support for protecting cancer services at this crucial time.

Though survival has doubled in the last 40 years in the UK, there is still much more work to do – and the pressures of COVID-19 have had a huge impact on cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Stephen said: “Cancer unfortunately doesn’t stop during the pandemic, and events like this are an important reminder that, however tough things are right now, we all still have a part to play to beat the disease.

“We all want cancers to be caught as early as possible and the best outcomes possible for patients. It’s amazing to see the advances we have made, and I hope people in East Ham show their support however they can as we all work together to ensure our NHS can help those who need it most.”

Today, 2 in 4 people survive their cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to accelerate progress so that by 2034, 3 in 4 people will survive their cancer for at least a decade. Among its calls to help patients and research, Cancer Research UK is urging the Government to use the forthcoming Budget to clarify how they will target funding announced last year to clear the cancer backlog.

Stephen urges support for international students left destitute by pandemic

In an Urgent Question brought by Paul Blomfield MP on Wednesday 3rd February about support for students in coronavirus, Stephen raised the plight of international students left destitute in the pandemic.

Many international students have been forced into hardship because of the pandemic, having lost jobs which they were using to support themselves. Newham Community Project in East Ham currently provides food to more than 1,700 international students living in East London every week. Aside from difficulties in affording food, many live in cramped, unsuitable accommodation whilst having to study online.

Stephen said: "Newham Community Project is doing superb work providing weekly food parcels. But who in authority has the duty of care for destitute overseas students?"

Stephen calls on Prime Minister for action on pension scams

At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday 3rd February, Stephen questioned Prime Minister Boris Johnson about pensions scams.

The Work and Pensions Select Committee has been examining the issue through an enquiry in recent weeks. Stephen highlighted to the Prime Minister the thousands of people scammed out of their pensions and called on the government to tackle this problem in the Online Harms Bill.

Stephen said: "Good savings deals, on Google or Facebook, turn out, all too often to be scams. The planned Online Harms Bill must tackle this very serious problem."

Stephen writes to Schools Minister about laptop shortages in East Ham schools

Stephen has written to the Schools Minister, Nick Gibb, asking that the Department for Education urgently look at delivering more laptops to schools in East Ham.

Earlier this week, Stephen raised the case of Kensington Primary School with Mr Gibb in the House of Commons. Kensington – which won primary school of the year at the Pearson national teaching awards earlier this year – is still to receive a large number of laptops which it had ordered from the Department for Education.

A survey sent to East Ham schools found that the distribution of laptops has been patchy. Although some have enough devices – often loaning a number of their own laptops or relying on donations – others are struggling. Some schools have only received a third of laptops ordered whilst others estimate they have hundreds pupils who are struggling to access a device at home.

Stephen said: “It is troubling that so many pupils in East Ham are at home and without laptops whilst schools remain closed.

“Every pupil must have access to the devices they need to learn. I have asked the Minister to personally look at some specific instances where the government has failed to supply an adequate number of laptops for pupils.”

To read Stephen’s letter to the Schools Minister, click here.

Stephen calls for more accessible benefits system for terminally ill people

Stephen has written a letter to the Chief Secretary of the Treasury, Stephen Barclay, about benefit payments for terminally ill people.

In his letter Stephen noted that the results of the 2019 review of the benefits system were yet to be published. He raised the particular issue that terminally ill people can only fast track their applications if they can prove that they have less than 6 months to live.

Campaigners have argued that using the fast track application process is complex for vulnerable claimants. This often forces individuals to apply through the standard claims process which is unsuitable for those with a terminal diagnosis.

Stephen said “I am troubled that vulnerable claimants are being put off applying for benefits because of an over complicated and rigid system. I hope the Minister will look into this and work towards making the system more accessible.”

Stephen speaks with young people on the key issues facing future generations

Stephen has attended a meeting with two young people as part of The Big Issue’s “Wellbeing Week”, to discuss their perspectives on the major policy issues affecting their futures.

The short conversation focussed on sustainability and climate change. Both young people felt those were the key issues facing their generation, and put forward their policy ideas to tackle these challenges. They explained their passion to see a politics which is led by long-term thinking, not short-term election cycles.

The meeting was organised as the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill makes its way through Parliament. The Bill will ensure that all non-devolved public bodies, including the UK Government, work to prevent problems - including global warming and poverty - from happening. It proposes creating a ‘future generations test’ for all new policy changes, sets up a Joint-Committee on Future Generations in Parliament, and requires budgets to measure and increase their preventative spending.

At the end of the conversation, Stephen asked the young people if they were optimistic for the future. In turn, they asked Stephen the same question. He responded: “It can sometimes be hard to find the grounds for optimism. However, I am optimistic. I think that, somehow, we will be able to work together to find a way through the challenges that face us. Speaking with young people such as yourselves gives me real hope.”

Stephen makes a virtual visit to Togo

Stephen has joined Compassion UK on a virtual visit to Togo to discuss their work tackling the impact of Covid-19.

In March 2019, through a UK Aid Match Grant, Compassion were granted £1,047,000 by the FCDO. Via Zoom, Stephen could join the Compassion team in Togo to discuss the use of these funds and the impact of Covid-19. During the tour, Stephen visited a Mother and Child Centre, a Borehole and a Youth Centre.

Compassion have been working with 294 church partners in Togo to provide a variety of services. As of November 2020, 70,125 children had enrolled in Compassion’s children development programme. Since the start of the Covid-19 crisis, Compassion in Togo have been able to deliver 405,467 food packs and 443,701 hygiene kits to families in addition to providing medical support to 33,732 individuals.

Stephen said about the event “I very much enjoyed my virtual visit to Togo! The projects we dropped in on show the important role UK aid fulfils by supporting developing countries and at-risk communities. “

The scale of Compassion’s work is very impressive. I hope that the Government will continue to support them.”