Stephen writes to the Chief Minister of Punjab

Stephen has co-signed a letter to the Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh. It asks that he help UK nationals in the state to return home.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is working on bringing British nationals back to the UK, but there are currently no flights from Punjab. People are required to travel to Delhi. In reality, given the national lock-down in India, this is almost impossible.

Speaking about the letter, Stephen said: "There is a growing sense for British citizens in Punjab that they have been abandoned by the UK government.

“I hope the the Chief Minister can now step in. We have asked that he make special arrangements for Amritsar Airport to facilitate the return of British citizens and British Indians.”

Stephen warns local NHS Trust about charging pregnant women for care

Stephen has warned Barts Health NHS Trust that charging pregnant women for maternity care could be prove “disastrous”.

The Trust has faced criticism for charging 739 women, when 290 of them were actually entitled to free care. In a letter to Barts’ Chief Executive, Alwen Williams, Stephen wrote: “…The prospect of a thumping bill will certainly discourage people from receiving treatment! The consequences can be potentially disastrous.” He also described the impact on a family with a “modest” income after receiving a £10,000 bill as “devastating”.

Of the 739 women billed in 2018-19, 456 received care at Newham University Hospital. However, it later emerged that 290 of them should not have been charged. The figures were revealed after campaigners from Newham Save our NHS asked board chiefs at Barts for the totals.

The government requires NHS trusts charge patients who do not have leave to remain in the UK. In his letter, Stephen notes that in many of the cases he sees, the Home Office appears “mistaken” in denying leave to remain.

A Barts Health NHS Trust spokeswoman said it would answer his questions “as soon as we can”.

Stephen criticises lack of action in returning UK nationals from Pakistan

Stephen has written to the Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, outlining his concern about the number of East Ham residents who are stranded in Pakistan.

It is estimated that tens of thousands of British nationals remain in Pakistan, unable to travel. The FCO had previously chartered flights for citizens in countries where borders were closed. As Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was still able to fly from the country, efforts were instead directed towards commercial options.

Speaking about the letter, Stephen said: “ I am in touch with a number of East Ham residents who are stuck in Pakistan, with no immediate prospect of a return flight. I am deeply troubled that many of those stranded are struggling to get their essential medicines.  They are very worried about this and these individuals are understandably very anxious to get home,

“It is becoming clear that the Foreign Office is is not adopting examples of best practice that we have seen from other embassies around the world. “

Stephen raises No Recourse to Public Funds and coronavirus with the Home Secretary

In Home Office Questions in the House of Commons Chamber yesterday, Stephen asked Home Secretary Priti Patel, about policy on those with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) in the current coronavirus crisis.

NRPF is a condition imposed by the Home Office on an individuals’ immigration leave. A person with NRPF cannot access benefits, homelessness assistance from the council or social housing through the council's register. In the current coronavirus outbreak, organisations representing migrants have raised concerns about the ability of these individuals to self-isolate if they are unable to access public sector help.

Stephen commented afterwards: “A large number of my constituents have a condition of No Recourse to Public Funds. I was pleased the Home Secretary recognised the need for such individuals to be able to access public services in order to be able to self-isolate. I will pay close attention to the measures when they are announced.”

Chair writes to Secretary of State on response to coronavirus outbreak

Credit: Fusion Medical Animation, Unsplash

In his role as Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, Stephen has written to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with further questions on the Department’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The letter, in response to a reply from previous correspondence to Thérèse Coffey, calls for more information about the changes to the disability benefit assessment process brought in in response to the outbreak.

Stephen said: “This is a worrying time for all of us, but it’s particularly tough for people on already low or precarious incomes. They’ll be concerned about how they can continue to support themselves and their families, and will be looking to the Government for a strong safety net to help them through this unprecedented crisis. The DWP has already taken some welcome steps. But there is much more still to be done.”

Stephen secures promise from Home Secretary to look again at provision for TOEIC students

In a Statement on the publication of the Windrush Lessons Learned report in the House of Commons Chamber today, Stephen raised the issue of the TOEIC students with Home Secretary Priti Patel.

Priti Patel promised to look again at providing an affordable path for those students to clear their names.

Stephen said: “The problems highlighted in today’s Windrush scandal report also caused the Toeic scandal, in which over 30,000 overseas students from the Commonwealth lost their visas.  The Home Office needs to give innocent students an affordable path to clear their names.”

Stephen presses Chancellor on coronavirus, self-employed people and Universal Credit.

In the Economic Update in the House of Commons on 17 March, Stephen pressed Chancellor Rishi Sunak on coronavirus, self-employed people and Universal Credit.

Current rules mean that for someone who is self-employed, self-isolation means giving up their income. Applicants for Universal Credit have to wait five weeks for their first payment. If they need income sooner, they can only access a loan.

Stephen said: “I am pleased Ministers are drawing up an employment support package.  They need to make urgent changes to Universal Credit – including scrapping the five week wait – and announce their package very soon.”

Stephen voices support for affordable school uniforms

Stephen spoke in Parliament on Friday in support of Mike Amesbury’s Private Member’s Bill, which requires the government to publish statutory guidelines on how schools should design and implement a uniform policy. The bill passed unanimously onto its second reading today.

Charities such as the Children’s Society have found that school uniforms are often prohibitively expensive, costing on average £337 per year for a secondary school child and £315 per year for a primary school child, with 1 in 10 families reporting getting into debt trying to pay uniform costs. The bill intends to ensure that all uniforms are made affordable, by requiring that the government draft new statutory guidelines for all school uniform policy to ensure that schools prioritise cost and affordability.

Stephen commented afterwards:“I am delighted to see cross-party support for Mike’s Private Member's Bill to improve the affordability of school uniforms by requiring the Government to implement new statutory guidelines for all school uniform policy. I hope that the government will consider putting a top rate cap on the price of uniforms.

School Uniforms are an important part of a child’s education and help to engender a healthy sense of school pride and unity; this bill will ensure that this privilege is affordable for all.”

The bill has received both cross-party support from Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative backbenchers alongside the government. It has also received the support of over 20 notable organisations, such as The Children’s Society, CPAG and the Trussell Trust.

Stephen raises plight of leaseholders about cladding in House of Commons

In a statement by Secretary of State Robert Jenrick on Planning, in the House of Commons Chamber on 12 March, Stephen raised the issue of financial support for leaseholders in buildings with unsafe cladding.

A number of buildings in East Ham (notably the Lumiere Building, as well as buildings in Royal Docks) have the kind of cladding deemed unsafe after the Grenfell disaster.

Stephen said: “Many leaseholders in my constituency – and across the country – are living in blocks with unsafe cladding. Not only do they fear for their physical safety, but also about the prospect of footing the bill for remediation works.

I was pleased that the Secretary of State gave a robust commitment to making funds available for all unsafe materials in both the private and social sectors.”

Stephen raises Select Committee inquiry into Universal Credit five-week wait in Parliament

In the House of Commons Chamber on 9 March, during Department for Work and Pensions Questions, Stephen raised the upcoming Select Committee inquiry into the five-week wait in Universal Credit with Minister Will Quince.

Universal Credit has a “baked in” wait for the first payment. After completing all of the stages of their application, claimants must then wait for at least five weeks to receive their award.

A coalition of policy organisations and charities have concluded this five week wait should be reduced or eliminated, but exactly how is debated. The inquiry will hear from witnesses on the problems claimants experience during this wait, as well as what potential solutions might be.

Stephen said: “It’s now widely recognised that the lengthy wait for a first payment of Universal Credit is causing real difficulties for people—so it’s hugely welcome that the Minister is open to looking at how to fix it. The Committee wants to look carefully at all the possible solutions, and work out which are the most practical, affordable, and likely to make a meaningful difference to people’s lives.”

Individuals or organisations can submit evidence to the inquiry here.

Stephen speaks at Living Wage Foundation Reception

Last week, Stephen spoke at a reception in Parliament hosted by the London Living Wage Foundation.

The event brought together parliamentarians and employers to celebrate the achievements of the Living Wage campaign. It highlighted the 5 million people paid less than the real Living Wage or who struggle to find the hours they need to make ends meet.

At the event, representatives from leading Living Wage employers such as Aviva and Heathrow Airport discussed the benefits of accreditation.

Julie, a worker at Newcastle University, talked about the positive impact being paid a living wage had made on her life. Pupils from St Antony’s Catholic Primary School in Forest Gate movingly shared about the negative impact low wages had had on their parents, and performed their specially written living wage song.

Stephen said: ‘In East London, we have seen many successes with employers agreeing to pay the Living Wage, such as during the 2012 Olympics, and more recently, with the cleaners at London Stadium. I was pleased to support the Living Wage Foundation as it continues the vital work of tackling in-work poverty and unmanageable working hours’.

Since the start of its campaign, the Living Wage Foundation has put a milestone one billion pounds back into the pockets of working people, with 6000 employers now Living Wage accredited.

Stephen writes to DWP about coronavirus

As Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee Stephen has written to the Department for Work and Pensions on the implications of the current outbreak of coronavirus.

The letter asks about DWP’s involvement in the Government’s Coronavirus Action Plan and the support available to people required to self-isolate.

Stephen said: “Minimising the harm to society from coronavirus will require a cross-government approach. With its staff delivering services to thousands of people every day, DWP has a vital part to play.

To contain the spread of the virus, it’s imperative that the department takes a flexible approach to its rules and enables people to follow public health guidance - especially people who are at risk of sanctions, or those in low paid and insecure jobs who simply can’t afford to take time off.

This situation is rapidly evolving – DWP needs to be ready to adapt, to ensure that no one has to make the invidious choice between financial hardship and putting themselves and others at risk.”

Stephen questions Minister over Indian Citizenship (Amendment) Act

Yesterday in Parliament in an Urgent Question on recent violence in India and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Stephen questioned the Minister of State Nigel Adams about the Indian Government’s move from the constitutional commitment to equality irrespective of religion.

Stephen commented afterwards: “Yesterday in Parliament I expressed my sadness about the Government of India moving away in the Citizenship (Amendment) Act from the principle of equality, irrespective of religion, set out in India's constitution. 

The constitution has been admired around the world for that commitment, ever since it was drafted after independence under the leadership of Dr B R Ambedkar.  I believe that principle is just as important now as it was then.”

Stephen hosts Crisis reception

Last week, Stephen hosted a reception in Parliament on behalf of the charity Crisis.

The event provided Crisis with an opportunity to petition Parliamentarians to focus on the issue of homelessness. The event centred around the link between homelessness and domestic abuse. In 2018/19 99 households in Newham lost their homes due to domestic abuse. Crisis pressed members to ensure that the forthcoming Domestic Abuse Bill guaranteed that domestic abuse survivors were given a legal right to settled housing.

Stephen said: “I support the excellent work of Crisis. In 2018/19 1904 households received assistance form Newham Council for homelessness. This figure is far too high. A concerted effort needs to be made to tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness. I will ask the Government to support measures that protect the homeless, including the repeal of the Vagrancy Act”.

Stephen hosts discussion on the Indian Citizen Amendment Act

Earlier this week, Stephen hosted a discussion in Parliament on India’s Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

Opening the meeting, he paid tribute to the Indian Constitution drawn up after independence by Dr B R Ambedkar, and in particular to its commitment to equality irrespective of religious faith.  

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act was passed in December.  It identifies residents of India, originally from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, previously regarded as illegal migrants, who can now obtain Indian citizenship unless they are Muslims.  Stephen expressed sadness at this move away from the constitution’s commitment to equality, and sympathy for the fears of many in India about where this could lead.

Participation in the well-attended meeting was organised by Indian Muslim Association (UK), founded in 1969.  The organisation’s President, Shamsu Agha, spoke after Stephen.

Other Members of Parliament from three political parties also attended the meeting: Jon Cryer, Sam Tarry, Mohammed Yasin, Lyn Brown, Jim Shannon and Mark Logan.  Unmesh Desai, Member of the London Assembly, also attended and spoke.

The discussion focused on the impact of the CAA on democracy and human rights in India. Many spoke of the potentially dangerous consequences of the Act, in dividing a historically secular and inclusive country on the basis ofreligion.

Speaking after the event, Stephen said “I support those who have expressed alarm about the CAA. I admire the democratic, secular values on which India’s success has been built.  This act puts them under threat. We are seeing campaigners from all faith backgrounds and ethnic groups taking a stand against the alienation of large swathes of the population."

Stephen has written to the Foreign Secretary asking what response the British Government is making; and to the Indian High Commissioner requesting a meeting.

Stephen hosts Third Space Reception in Parliament

Stephen has hosted a reception in Parliament celebrating the tenth birthday of Third Space Ministries. The charity, in partnership with local churches, facilitates chaplaincy work in the leisure industry.

Stephen praised the organisation for its work and encourages Parliamentarians to celebrate the work that faith communities do.

A video, commissioned for the 10th anniversary year was launched which tells the story of how the organisation has grown, with input from the current staff team and volunteers. A new campaign was also launched to raise £10,000 in 10 months to help fund future initiatives.

Speaking afterwards, Stephen said: “I was delighted to welcome Third Space Ministries to Parliament as they embark on their 10th anniversary year.

“Hearing stories of their work on the front line was hugely inspiring and I'm humbled by the passion and faith which motivates those staff and volunteers to serve whether it's at Wimbledon, Soho or in the DJ industry.

“It's important that we continue to make sure Parliamentarians hear of the huge contribution that faith communities bring to supporting those others write off."

Stephen presses Minister on online weapons sales

In a debate on Online Harms Legislation in the House of Commons Chamber on Thursday 13 February, Stephen asked Matt Warman, Minister for Digital and Broadband, about the problem of unlawful weapons being freely available to buy online.

Stephen – who last year sat on the Offensive Weapons Bill Committee – has taken a particular interest in the legislation to tackle online harms, and its potential role in regulating the sale of illegal weapons online.

Stephen said: “Last week, I asked the Minister if the new laws planned to tackle ‘online harms’ would block the ability of criminals to buy illegal weapons online.  I was hoping his answer would be ‘Yes’.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t.  I shall keep a close eye on this.  Online sales are a big source of the illegal weapons being used by gangs in the UK, and they need to be tackled.”

Stephen hosts St Paul’s Cathedral service for London’s homeless nightshelters

On 12 February, Stephen hosted a service at St Paul’s Cathedral, in collaboration with the charity Housing Justice, in thanksgiving for the work of homeless night shelters in response to the rise in rough sleeping in London.

The service brought together hundreds of night shelter volunteers, guests and those simply wishing to celebrate these shelters.

The congregation heard beautiful choral music, honest and powerful testimonies from the shelters, and a reflection from Rt Rev Rob Wickham, Bishop of Edmonton and Chair of Housing Justice. The Shadow Housing Minister John Healey was in attendance.

Stephen said: ‘Church-based homeless nightshelters are an astonishing response to the homelessness crisis. It was hugely important to be able to commemorate them.’

145 projects in the Housing Justice Winter Night Shelter Network provide more than 2000 emergency beds and welcome approximately 6000 guests each winter, making the network the largest provider of emergency accommodation in the country. There is now a shelter in every London borough.

Stephen highlights Lumiere Building in leaseholders and cladding debate

Stephen has highlighted the case of the Lumiere Building on Wednesday 12 February in a Westminster Hall Debate on Leaseholders and Cladding led by Hilary Benn.

During the debate, MPs demanded the government foot the bill to bail out leaseholders caught in the post-Grenfell fire safety crisis. In line with recommendations from sector experts, Stephen pressed for government’s funding to be extended to cover other forms of dangerous non-ACM cladding and insulation.

Leaseholders in the Lumiere Building in Manor Park, as well as in other blocks in the constituency, have spoken of their anxiety about living in an unsafe building, as well as the challenge of selling or remortgaging their homes.

Stephen said: “I raised the Lumiere Building - just one of those in East Ham affected - in the important debate on cladding and leaseholders. Government needs to address all types of unsafe cladding, not just ACM.”

Stephen presses the Immigration Minister on the deportation flight to Jamaica

In an Urgent Question on 10 February in the House of Commons Chamber Stephen pressed Immigration Minister Kevin Foster on how many people were booked on the deportation flight to Jamaica, and how many had been in the UK since childhood.

Stephen commented: “I cannot see how the Government can justify deporting people who have lived in the UK since childhood.  It is deeply worrying that the Government appears to have adopted a dismissive attitude to this issue.  Further deportations should be stopped until the Windrush lessons learned review is published.”