Stephen attends the Labour Party conference

The annual national conference of the Labour Party was held in Brighton this year, from Saturday 25 to Wednesday 29 September.

Stephen met with party members, campaign groups and charities. He also attended a number of events and held a Faiths Reception.

Over the course of the conference, Stephen spoke at several events. This includes a panel discussion on improving security within the gig economy, a roundtable on ending homelessness, and a Christians on the Left prayer breakfast. Stephen also shared some thoughts at the Trussell Trust’s event on ending the need for foodbanks, the Prince’s Trust’s roundtable on employment for young people and the Tamils for Labour reception.

At each event, Stephen was able to share some of the work the Select Committee for Work and Pensions, which he chairs, is doing in these areas. He also spoke about the impact on and experience of his constituency of East Ham around these issues.

Speaking after the conference, Stephen said “I enjoyed returning to Brighton for the Labour Party Conference this year. It was uplifting to meet so many members, volunteers and campaigners working hard to bring positive change in this crucial period of recovery. I look forward to working alongside them again in the future as the new Parliamentary term kicks off this month.”

Stephen supports Cure the Care System

Stephen met with representatives from the Alzheimer’s Society at the Party Conference to lend their support to their Cure the Care System campaign. The campaign envisions a future where people affected by dementia are able to live the life they want, with greater independence, choice and control.

As there are only a limited range of medicines available to treat dementias, such as Alzheimer’s disease, many people with the condition get the support through social care, such as home care or residential care. While dementia isn’t curable yet, we can cure the care system.

Figures from Alzheimer’s Society show that there are as many as 770,000 people with dementia in England, with that number set to grow to over a million in just ten years.

Stephen said “It was great to meet with Alzheimer’s Society at the Labour Party Conference this year. I will continue working with them on their campaign to ensure that social care reforms brought forward by Government meet the needs of the 1,830 people living with dementia in Newham, which is projected to rise to 2,680 by 2030.”

Fiona Carragher, Director of Research and Influencing at Alzheimer’s Society, added “We really welcome Stephen’s support for our Cure the Care System campaign. Social care reform has been ignored for too long, but that’s changing.

While there’s still a long way to go, Alzheimer’s Society have a pragmatic, long-term plan for social care that delivers for people living with dementia in East Ham. We look forward to working with Stephen to bring about a social care system to be proud of as a nation.”

Stephen gives speech in Parliament about Universal Credit payments

On Wednesday 15 September, Labour MPs held a debate on Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits. Stephen spoke about the Government’s planned welfare cuts.

The reduction, due to take place on 6 October, will see 6 million families lose £20 a week. It will lower the level of support for an unemployed family to the smallest amount as a proportion of average earnings at any time since the Second World War. It will also impact the 40% of people claiming Universal Credit who are already in employment.

Speaking in the debate, Stephen drew upon evidence taken by the Work and Pensions Select Committee, which he chairs. The Committee had previously heard from a single father of two who said the cuts will force him to ask the question: “do I go hungry, do my kids go hungry, or do we keep the house warm?”

Speaking in the debate, Stephen said “somebody worrying about about how to buy their next meal is not going to be able to focus on finding a decent job. Taking £20 a week away will leave the level of support below the basic minimum that is needed.”

At the end of the debate, Labour put forward a motion calling on the Government to stop the cuts, which passed by 253 votes to 0. However, the vote is not legally binding.

You can watched Stephen’s full speech below.

Stephen urges Chancellor against Universal Credit cuts

During questions to the Chancellor in Parliament on Tuesday 7 September, Stephen highlighted the impact the £20 a week Universal Credit cut will have on households across the UK.

The cuts, due to go ahead on 6 October 2021, will impact 5.5 million families both in and out of work.

Speaking in the chamber, Stephen said “40% of the people who claim Universal Credit are already in work. Does the Chancellor understand that they will be very hard hit by this cut, which is the biggest overnight benefit cut in our history?”

The Chancellor explained that the Government is looking at other ways to support people in work, but did not promise to reconsider the cuts to Universal Credit.

You can watch the full exchange below.

Stephen writes to minister about the need for climate change progress

Stephen has written to the Secretary of State for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice MP calling for further action on climate change. The letter followed a campaign by residents of East Ham which urged the government to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. 

In his letter, Stephen outlined how achieving net zero emissions would benefit the economy and bring about a healthier way of life, whilst also preserving nature. The World Wildlife Fund noted recently that delaying spending of just 1% of GDP now risks doubling the cost for future generations. This could risk £90 billion of annual benefits from cleaner air, improved health and long-term sustainable jobs.

Stephen has previously called for the Prime Minister to “do his homework” and ensure COP26 delivers what is needed. His letter outlined steps that the government could take, such as a step-by-step net zero strategy and the need to bring in public and private investment into the sector.

Stephen hosts Archbishops’ Commission on Households and Families in Newham

The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York have set up a Commission to look at families and households. Stephen invited Commission members to observe family life in Newham to help their research.

The Commission are looking to address the challenges facing households, whilst highlighting the positive work that is being done to support families. They aim to report in Winter 2022 with policy recommendations for government.

Newham has the UK’s highest proportion of children living in poverty. An estimated 10,000 families have No Recourse to Public funds and many face severe financial difficulties. These pressures have been exacerbated by the pandemic, as the number of Trussell Trust foodbank parcels rose more than fivefold in Newham in 2020-2021. However, there are several community organisations and faith groups in the borough, working hard to support these families.

Five of the Commissioners – Chair Professor Janet Walker, Co-Chair Rt Revd Paul Butler, Elaine Storkey, Julie Gittoes and Dez Brown – took part in the visit to Newham. They visited local community organisations and faith groups, including Ascension Community Trust, Alternatives Trust and the Renewal Programme. Stephen also chaired a roundtable at Bonny Downs Community Centre with a number of grassroots groups, charities and faith leaders supporting families across Newham. The Commission also visited two local households to hear of their experience of raising a family in Newham.

Speaking after the visit, Stephen said: “Newham families have faced acute pressures during the pandemic, made worse by poor housing and benefit problems. Church-based and other faith and voluntary sector initiatives have been crucial in supporting families. They have been key to our community’s resilience.  Their commitment to local people has meant a great deal.

I was glad to introduce Commission members to groups supporting family life in the borough. I hope their efforts will influence policy that affects families, and look forward to their report towards the end of next year.”

Stephen congratulates local British Kebab Awards finalist

Credit: Habib Dadkhah, Unsplash

Stephen has congratulated The Ottoman restaurant in Manor Park on being shortlisted for a prestigious British Kebab Awards.

The Ottoman on the Romford Road has been shortlisted for the British Kebab Awards for Best Newcomer category. It was announced as the finalist and the winners will be announced at a ceremony in London.

Speaking after the news was announced, Stephen said “I am delighted the Ottoman has been shortlisted. It is richly deserved! I know the restaurant has been popular with residents of Manor Park since it opened.”

Stephen urges Prime Minister against Universal Credit cuts

During Prime Minister’s Questions today, Stephen asked Boris Johnson if he will stop the planned cuts to Universal Credit.

In October, the Government plans to cut Universal Credit by £20 each week. This will leave unemployment support at its lowest level ever relative to average earnings. It will also come at a time when, according to the independent Office for Budget Responsibility, there may be a further 500,000 people out of work than there are today.

Speaking in the chamber, Stephen explained the impact this will have on families across the UK and asked Boris Johnson “instead of cutting down, will the Prime Minister not follow his own policy and level up and leave the £20 a week in place?” The Prime Minister responded by saying the Government’s priority is getting people into work.

You can watch the full exchange here.

Stephen presses Government on changes to the asylum system

On Monday 19 July, Stephen spoke in the debate following the Second Reading of the Nationality and Borders Bill.

Earlier in the year, the Government announced several proposed changes to the UK’s asylum system including differentiated treatment based on how an asylum seeker arrives in the UK, harsher sentences, and plans to hold asylum seekers in offshore hubs. The Government has introduced the Nationality and Borders Bill to implement these proposals.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Stephen urged MPs to vote against the Bill, arguing that it fails to fix the “broken system.” He spoke out against the Government’s plans to judge asylum cases based on the applicants’ routes to the UK and to process claims overseas.

Stephen also raised the increasing number of asylum processing delays in the Home Office, where the number of people waiting over a year for a decision has risen tenfold since 2010. He said “the current gross inefficiency helps nobody. I hope the House will reject this Bill.”

You can watch Stephen’s speech below.

Stephen writes to Health Secretary about NHS reforms

Stephen has written to the new Health Secretary, Sajiid Javid, outlining a number of concerns about the the Health and Care Bill which passed its second reading in the House of Commons last week.

The Health and Care Bill is part of the government’s NHS long-term plan. It aims to expand the powers of the Secretary of State and establishes the Health Services Safety Investigation Body. Critics have argued that the changes will erode local accountability for NHS services and give major contracts to the private sector, without adequate scrutiny. 

In the last week a number of constituents have contacted Stephen arguing that now is not the time to embark on a major NHS reorganisation,. They note that staff are demoralised and exhausted from the pandemic. In his letter, Stephen expressed his worry that scrapping the local authority obligation to carry out a social care needs assessment before discharge will leave vulnerable patients at risk. He also raised concerns that the bill will allow contracts to be awarded to unaccountable private healthcare providers.

Having sent the letter, Stephen said “The NHS and its staff have been vital during the pandemic. Now is not the time to force through damaging changes that make their work more difficult, and reduce the quality of care for patients and their families.”

Stephen leads debate on alternative student finance

Stephen has pressed the Universities Minister on why the Government is yet to follow through on its promise to deliver a sharia-compliant student loan system.

In an adjournment debate in the House of Commons, Stephen set out how little progress had been made since David Cameron made a pledge in 2013 to introduce an alternative model of student finance for Muslim students since then. This was despite a government consultation in 2014, which found:

• 94% of the respondents believed there would be demand for a sharia-compliant loan.

• 81% believed that the model proposed was acceptable.

Stephen highlighted the impact the delay has had on the British Muslim community. Many Muslims were – and still are – effected by interest-bearing loans. Despite wanting to attend university, many students are choosing between their faith and their education.

Stephen urged the Minister, Michelle Donelan, to introduce a sharia-compliant model in time for the 2022-2023 academic year. Although she did commit to this, she did offer Stephen a meeting to discuss the matter further.

Speaking after the debate, Stephen said: “I am pleased the Minister agreed to meet m. I hope I can persuade her to keep the promise her government made eight years ago.”

Stephen speaks at launch event for report on assistive technology

Today, Stephen spoke at the launch of the APPG on Assistive Technology’s report, Talent and Technology.

Assistive technology includes devices and systems that help individuals with disabilities to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. A great deal of assistive technologies are already present in commonly used software, such as Microsoft Word, but they also exist in mobile devices, such as scanning pens.

The report, which was commissioned by both the APPG and thinktank Policy Connect, explores the current systems of provision for helping disabled people access technology in the workplace. It found that, whilst 82% of online advertised roles in the UK require a certain level of digital skill, only 38% of people with a physical impairment meet this requirement. Talent and Technology argues that the Government needs to be more ambitious in delivering a framework that guarantees access for disabled people.

In welcoming the recommendations of the report, Stephen spoke about the importance of assistive technology in tackling digital barriers to work. He also spoke about his work as Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, which published a report last month on the DWP’s preparations for changes in the world of work. The Committee have discovered a concerning lack of data about the pace of accessible technology adoption by employers in the UK and has urged the Government to develop a strategy in response to the impact of new technology on jobs.

Speaking at the event, Stephen said “we need to work with disabled people for an inclusive society, where no one is held back from fulfilling their potential and realising their aspirations. Government needs to recognise that digital access is a key enabler to employment and needs to work hard so that disabled people can access and use technology. I applaud the work of this APPG and welcome the support of Policy Connect in compiling the report.”

Stephen opposes foreign aid cuts

On Tuesday in the House of Commons, Stephen urged MPs to vote against Government cuts to international aid.

MPs debated a motion to reduce overseas aid spending from the legally binding target of 0.7% of gross national income to 0.5%. Stephen argued against the cuts, drawing on the work of the Christian charity Compassion UK and their Child Survival Programme. With the help of UK aid, this programme has supported over 4,000 people in extreme poverty.

Speaking in the debate, Stephen said “even a small amount of aid saves lives. The cuts to UK aid put thousands of projects, like those run by Compassion UK…at risk.”

After the debate, MPs backed the bill to reduce international aid by around £4.4 billion by 333 votes to 298, making the UK the only G7 nation to cut its aid budget this year.

You can watch Stephen’s speech below.

Stephen questions the Prime Minister on Universal Credit cuts

On Wednesday 7 July, the Prime Minister appeared at the Liaison Committee to answer questions from Committee chairs. Stephen, who is chair of the Select Committee for Work and Pensions, pressed him on Government plans to cut Universal Credit.

Earlier that day, the Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions - Thérèse Coffey - confirmed to the Select Committee that the Government were continuing with plans to cut Universal Credit by £20 a week in September. This means six million families are set to lose £1,000 a year.

At the Liaison Committee, Stephen asked Boris Johnson to respond to the Committee’s recommendation to scrap the cut. He also explained that all six of the former Conservative Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions since 2010 have made the same call. The Prime Minister responded by saying “the emphasis has got to be on getting people into work.” He did, however, assure Stephen he would keep this issue under review.

You can watch a clip of Stephen’s question below, as well as his other questions to the Prime Minister around online scams.

Stephen presses Education Secretary on free school meals

On 30 June, during an urgent question to the Department for Education, Stephen raised with the Minister the possibility of children missing out on food support during the holidays due to pandemic restrictions.

Data released by the Department for Education has shown that around 5.1% of all pupils in state-funded schools did not attend class for Covid-19 related reasons last week – a total of 375,000 children. This increased from 3.3% on 17 June and 1.2% on 10 June.

Many are worried that this will continue into the summer, preventing children from accessing activity programmes and free school meals over the holidays.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Stephen asked the Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, “can the Secretary of State give an assurance that, whatever happens, children who are entitled to access food support over the summer will still be able to do that?”

In his response, Gavin Williamson said the Government will look to ensure that funding is made available to local authorities so that they can continue to provide free school meals.

You can watch the full clip below.

Stephen speaks in Parliament on building safety

On 29 June, Stephen spoke in the Building Safety debate in the House of Commons. He raised the plight of leaseholders in housing affected by cladding and other fire safety defects.

Nearly four years after the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in June 2017, around 700,000 people are still living in high-rise blocks with flammable cladding. Leaseholders in blocks with combustible cladding and other dangerous materials have experienced problems in selling their homes and many have been expected to pay for interim fire safety measures.

In his speech, Stephen explained how the problem is rooted in the Conservative party’s deregulation agenda and the failure of big housebuilders. He referenced David Cameron, the former Conservative Primer Minister, who - in 2012 - made it his “new year’s resolution to kill off the health and safety culture for good” to demonstrate the urgent need to tighten up regulation in this area. In his concluding remarks, Stephen said “Government must now finally side with leaseholders and would-be home owners and take on, not the building products industry, but the house builders.”

You can watch the full clip of Stephen’s speech below.

Stephen presses Government to maintain £20 Universal Credit uplift

On 28 June, Stephen urged the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department for Work and Pensions to commit to supporting those most affected by Covid-19 past the cut off date this Autumn.

In the Government’s 2021 Budget, delivered on 3 March, the Chancellor announced that Universal Credit will be reduced by £20 a week from the end of September. If the reduction goes ahead, it will cost six million families an estimated £1,000 a year.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Stephen explained the impact this will have on households across the country, including those with children. Research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has found that the cut will pull 400,000 people below the poverty line.

Stephen asked the Minister, Will Quince, “what assessment will he make of the impact of that cut on child poverty, before the cut goes ahead?” In his response, Will Quince said “it is our expectation that this additional financial support and other direct Covid support will end once our economy has opened.”

You can watch Stephen’s full contribution below.

Stephen calls on government to deliver on promises to Muslim students

Last week, Stephen tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons. It called on the government to introduce a Sharia-compliant funding system for Muslim students.

The former Prime Minister David Cameron told the World Islamic Economic Forum in 2013 that he would introduce an alternative student finance scheme for Muslims wanting to go into Higher Education. A government consultation, which concluded the following year, suggested that a Takaful fund be put in place. Despite its commitment, the government has not taken any action.

A number of Muslim students in the UK cannot access higher education because they are unable to take on interest from traditional student loans. The proposed “Takaful” fund would not be interest based, but would result in identical repayments to the current student loan system.

Stephen, who is keen that a new system be put in place prior to the 2022-23 academic year, said: “The traditional finance system is unfair on some Muslim students as they are prohibited from taking on interest-based loans to fund their tuition fees.

“Our education system must provide equal opportunities for all students. I hope my Early Day Motion will help persuade the government to act on their promise.”

To read the Early Day Motion, click here. You can also read a letter Stephen wrote to the Education Secretary about this here.

Stephen attends the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast

On 25 June, Stephen met with local church leaders in his constituency to watch the breakfast, which was streamed online.

Usually, over 700 parliamentarians and church leaders meet in Westminster for the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast. Whilst this was not possible this year, over 3,500 people were able to join in online.

The breakfast focused on life beyond Covid-19 and included prayers and words of encouragement from various parliamentarians. There was also a time of worship and Rt Revd Prof NT Wright spoke on renewed hope as the nation recovers from the pandemic. MPs and leaders paid tribute to the work of churches and charities throughout lockdown, such as Christians Against Poverty.

Stephen met with local leaders to take part in the breakfast at Manor Park Christian Centre. After the screening, the group discussed ways they could work together to serve the needs of the local people.

Speaking after the breakfast, Stephen said “David and Jean Foster at Manor Park Christian Centre made us very welcome this morning.  I enjoyed meeting local church leaders to celebrate the important role that Christian faith plays in communities across the UK. Churches – alongside other faith groups – have stepped up throughout the pandemic to serve their communities. They have been a lifeline for many in East Ham.

The huge interest in the breakfast this morning reflects appreciation for churches’ responses to Covid-19. I look forward to working with local faith groups in the future as we plan for recovery.”

Stephen presses the Prime Minister on climate action

Today in the House of Commons, Stephen asked the Prime Minister to ensure COP26 tackles the devastation of the climate crisis in vulnerable countries.

Stephen’s question followed the Prime Minister’s statement on the G7 summit, in which world leaders met in the UK. Stephen highlighted concerns over the G7 failing to commit to greater spending on climate action. He pointed to the COP26 summit - the annual UN climate change conference, which will also be held in the UK this November - and pressed Boris Johnson to use this as an opportunity to help the countries most affected by the climate crisis. These adverse impacts include wildfires, severe flooding and devastating draughts across the world.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Stephen asked “what steps will the Prime Minister take between now and COP26 to ensure that summit does deal effectively with the challenge of loss and damage in the countries most at risk?” Boris Johnson responded by saying “we will continue with our efforts” and added that he thought the G7 was a success.

You can watch the full clip of Stephen’s contribution here.