Stephen Timms
MP for East Ham
Lab
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
The marriage plans of thousands of couples were dashed last week by the sudden announcement of a big increase in the salary requirement for a spouse visa. Can the Prime Minister give any reassurance to those with well-advanced marriage plans that now appear to have been scuppered, and to families already in the UK who need to extend their stay but will not comply with the new rules? Can he at least offer some transitional help for families?
Context
The marriage plans of thousands of couples were affected by a sudden announcement of an increase in the salary requirement for spouse visas.
Rishi Sunak
We have a long-standing principle that anyone bringing dependants to the UK must be able to support them financially. The threshold has not been raised in over a decade, and it is right that we now bring it in line with the median salary. We are looking at transitional arrangements and will set out further information shortly.
Assessment
Specific reassurances or immediate help for affected individuals
Session: PMQs
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At Question Time last week, the Prime Minister referred to 'record numbers of people in work.' However, according to the latest official figures, there are actually 122,792 fewer people working now compared to just before the pandemic. Will he properly correct this incorrect statement and reassure the House that his administration is not slipping into the same bad ways as previous ones?
Context
The Prime Minister stated 'record numbers' of people in work, but official figures show a decrease since the pandemic. The number is currently 122,792 less than before.
Rishi Sunak
There are near record numbers of people in work and on payroll, thanks to actions taken by this Government. We are very proud of our record.
Assessment
The Prime Minister did not correct the specific incorrect statement from last week about 'record numbers' but defended the overall employment situation.
Session: PMQs
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Three weeks ago, the chair of the UK Statistics Authority, Sir David Norgrove, wrote to the Prime Minister to point out that his repeated assertion that employment is now higher than it was before the pandemic is incorrect. Yesterday's employment statistics show 840,000 fewer self-employed people now than before the pandemic and that overall employment is 580,000 lower. Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree that truthfulness is vital to trust in our democracy? Does he accept the correction from Sir David Norgrove?
Context
Sir David Norgrove wrote to the Prime Minister pointing out that employment is not higher than pre-pandemic levels, contrary to previous assertions.
Dominic Raab
Of course we listen carefully to Sir David Norgrove, but what I would say to the right hon. Gentleman is that he points to the data yesterday and it showed that unemployment has fallen below 4%, is back at pre-pandemic levels and is being termed a remarkable success by everyone, including the Resolution Foundation. He talks about the truth and there is one golden truth: whenever there has been a Labour Government in the past, unemployment has always been higher when they left office than when they started. That is the jobs guarantee you get with Labour.
Assessment
Did not address the question about employment statistics or Sir David Norgrove's correction; instead criticised previous Labour governments.
Session: PMQs
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Instead of cutting down, will the Prime Minister not follow his own policy, level up and leave the £20 a week in place?
Context
A new Joseph Rowntree Foundation Report shows that families with children will have an income way below what the general public regard as necessary for a minimum acceptable standard of living if the £20 per week cut in universal credit goes ahead.
Boris Johnson
What we want to do is level up across the whole of the UK by increasing access to high-wage, high-skilled jobs and getting people off benefits and into work. We have increased the living wage by record amounts and are working to ensure a jobs-led recovery.
Assessment
No commitment on not cutting £20 per week was given
Keeping Them On Welfare
Session: PMQs
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It has been estimated that 40,000 people lost their pensions due to scams following the introduction of pension freedoms in 2015. Will the Prime Minister ensure the online harms Bill tackles these financial online harms to protect people, especially pensioners, from fraudsters?
Context
Since the introduction of pension freedoms in 2015, an estimated 40,000 people have been scammed out of their pensions through attractive but fraudulent deals on Google or Facebook.
Boris Johnson
The Government will look at what can be done with the online harms Bill or other measures to protect people from online fraud, particularly pensioners.
Assessment
What specific actions will be taken beyond looking into it
Will Look At What Can Be Done
Session: PMQs
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I am concerned that the Government are due to remove the £20 a week increase in universal credit next April, which was put in place to help families with extra costs during the pandemic. Will the Prime Minister commit to making it permanent?
Context
The increase of £20 per week in Universal Credit was implemented during the pandemic. The current government policy is to remove this increase next April.
Boris Johnson
We keep all these things under constant review, but I am glad that the right hon. Gentleman joins the Opposition in support and approval for what the Government have done with universal credit.
Assessment
Commitment to making the £20 per week Universal Credit increase permanent
Under Review
Session: PMQs
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Will he deliver help by suspending the “no recourse to public funds” restriction for the duration of this crisis, and do it before the school summer holidays, so that destitute families can at least claim the free school meal vouchers he announced yesterday?
Context
Timms pointed out that one million people cannot access universal credit due to the 'no recourse to public funds' restriction and asked if this could be suspended during the crisis.
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Of course they should be eligible for those, but as I have said to the right hon. Gentleman repeatedly in the Chamber, those who have no recourse to public funds do have access to the coronavirus job retention scheme, the self-employment income support scheme, the measures that we have introduced to protect renters and the mortgage holiday for those who need it. When an individual has been working for long enough in the UK and enough national insurance contributions have been made, they may also be entitled to employment and support allowance.
Session: PMQs
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Among households as a whole, there will be more net gainers than net losers from the package. The reason for that is the increase to the standard allowance of universal credit, which according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies is the biggest increase to the headline rate of benefit since at least 1980. We are consulting on support for those who will lose carer’s allowance because of the changes and considering what additional help they may need, including for health and care needs.
Context
The question addresses the impact of recent changes in universal credit and carer’s allowance, particularly noting the concerns raised by the Institute for Fiscal Studies about the potential negative effects on certain groups.
The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)
We are consulting on support for those who will lose carer’s allowance because of the changes and considering what additional help they may need, including for health and care needs. The hon. Member will have seen in the Bill we have published that we have committed to a 13-week run-on of benefit after an assessment decision so that people have time to adjust to the new situation.
Session: Personal Independence Payment
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I am aware that there are concerns along those lines across the charity sector as a whole. I would be delighted to work with my hon. Friend to address the concerns in Middlesbrough specifically.
Context
There are widespread concerns within the charity sector about government policies or funding.
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Liz Kendall)
We are committed to working closely with all stakeholders, including charities, to ensure that our policies support vulnerable communities effectively. We will be reviewing the specific concerns raised by my hon. Friend and look into ways to collaborate on addressing them.
Session: Topical Questions
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One helpful change would be to extend access to employment support to economically inactive people in St Austell and Newquay who are not claiming benefits and do not have access to that support. Will the Minister consider that as a step towards increasing the prospects of filling the current job vacancies?
Context
There is a need to extend employment support to economically inactive individuals who are not claiming benefits.
Jo Churchill
We have extended the restart scheme for another couple of years, making sure that everybody who walks through the doors of our jobcentres is met by a work coach. What we need to do is ensure that they have the time to look at that bespoke support.
Session: Job Vacancies St Austell and Newquay
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A large number of people in Banff and Buchan are economically inactive. They are not claiming benefits so they are not eligible for employment support from jobcentres, but the Select Committee recommended last summer that such people should be eligible. Would that not be in their interests and in the interests of employers struggling to fill vacant posts at the moment, and therefore supportive of much-needed economic growth?
Context
A large number of people are economically inactive without claiming benefits, making them ineligible for jobcentre support.
Jo Churchill
We always take these matters very seriously and keep them under full review.
Session: Job Vacancies Banff and Buchan
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Can the Minister offer reassurance on the future trajectory of public sector net investment, given past failures?
Context
The question highlights Labour's concern about the UK's falling business investment ranking and the government's commitment to a public sector net investment target.
Nigel Huddleston
The Government plans to increase public sector net investment by £28 billion in real terms at the start of the next Parliament, representing a 40% increase from current levels or 7% annually—the largest ever published target.
Session: Small Businesses Support
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Will the Secretary of State point out to the Chancellor that many councils have used the household support fund to pay £3 per day per child during the school holidays to families entitled to free school meals, and that if the fund closes at the end of March, those families will be straight into hardship in the Easter school holidays?
Context
The MP points out that many councils used the Household Support Fund to pay £3 per day during school holidays for families entitled to free school meals, and inquires about the impact if this fund ends.
Mel Stride
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his representation, and indeed would be grateful for any others that he is minded to make to me as we conduct our ongoing review on where we go with the household support fund.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does the Secretary of State recognise that that minimum level of contribution will need to be increased?
Context
The MP acknowledges the success of auto-enrolment but questions whether the current minimum contribution level is sufficient.
Mel Stride
The contribution rates of the employer and employee are a very important matter, and we keep both under review.
Session: Saving for the Future
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I echo the Chancellor's generous and well-judged tribute to Alistair Darling. At the autumn statement, the Chancellor said—mistakenly, as it turned out—that the household support fund was being extended into the next financial year; the Chief Secretary to the Treasury clarified the position a few moments ago. Does the Chancellor recognise that there is a compelling case for him to announce exactly that extension in the Budget, so that councils can continue to provide the last-resort safety net that has been such a valuable feature of the household support fund over the last three years?
Context
At the autumn statement, the Chancellor mistakenly said that the household support fund was being extended into the next financial year. The MP asks for an official announcement of this extension in the Budget.
Jeremy Hunt
I recognise the important role the household support fund has played. As my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury said earlier, no decisions have been made about what will happen going forward. There were a lot of anti-poverty measures in the autumn statement, including increasing benefits next year by double the rate of inflation, increasing the full-time national living wage by £1,800 a year and increasing the local housing allowance, providing an average of an extra £800 to 1.6 million households.
Session: Topical Questions
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Last week, Uber came to Parliament to brief MPs on partnerships it has set up to support its drivers, including its recognition agreement with the GMB trade union. All Uber private hire drivers are now auto-enrolled into a pension, but legal uncertainty means that that is not the case for Uber's competitors. Is it not high time for the Government to bring forward their employment Bill, which was promised after the Taylor review, to provide a level playing field for employers and to tackle these problems of insecurity in the gig economy?
Context
The question concerns the Government's commitment to bring forward an Employment Bill following the recommendations from the Taylor Review, aiming for a level playing field in the gig economy.
Mims Davies
I thank the Chair of the Select Committee for his question. In fact, I have an Uber T-shirt from my time as employment Minister, which the company gave me when it brought in the pension. I applaud the work that Uber has done to support its workforce.
Session: Insecure Employment and Poverty
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Those Trussell Trust figures published last week made grim reading. Does the Secretary of State recognise that if working-age benefits are uprated by less than September's rate of inflation in April next year, there will inevitably be another big surge in food bank demand and destitution?
Context
Trussell Trust figures show a rise in food bank use due to working-age benefit inflation lag.
Mel Stride
The right hon. Gentleman has raised an important point. I take the uprating process extremely seriously, and, as he will know, I look at a number of factors, including the effects on poverty. However, as he will also understand, I am not able to comment on a parliamentary process that has not yet been concluded.
Session: Topical Questions
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Do the Minister have proposals to secure such investments for UK firms rather than them going overseas?
Context
There is a shift from Government gilts towards engaging pension funds with more productive investment in UK businesses.
Andrew Griffith
Our objective is to increase investment but we do not believe in mandating where pensions should be invested, unlike the Opposition who support such regulation.
Session: Topical Questions
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Rents have risen very sharply over the past couple of years, but the support for people claiming means-tested benefits to pay their rent, determined by local housing allowance, has not changed at all since 2020—it has been completely frozen. I wrote to the Secretary of State about this over the summer. Is the Minister able to give the House any assurance that the forthcoming benefit uprating statement will include a realistic increase in local housing allowance?
Context
The MP notes that rents have risen sharply over the past couple of years, while local housing allowance for people claiming means-tested benefits to pay their rent has been completely frozen since 2020. The Member wrote to the Secretary of State about this issue.
Mims Davies
I know that the right hon. Gentleman is very interested in this subject, as am I. Again, there is help for households, with the local housing allowance rate being set at the 30th percentile in 2020. The Government are projected to spend around £31 billion, or around 1.2% of GDP, on support for renters in 2023-24. It is absolutely right that we support people to be better off. The LHA is not intended to cover all rents in all areas, but I take a close interest in this subject.
Session: Cost of Living Means-tested Benefit Claimants
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Very little data is being published on the outcomes of the restart programme in Don Valley or anywhere. There was a one-off statistical release last December, but nothing regular at all. In the past, we have had monthly data from the Work programme, and we still have regular updates from the Work and Health programme. Does the Minister recognise the value of regular publication of outcome data for the flagship restart programme?
Context
There is a lack of regular data publication on the outcomes of the restart programme, leading to concerns about transparency and accountability.
Guy Opperman (Minister)
With great respect, I think we do publish data on all aspects of the Department for Work and Pensions' programmes, and I addressed this matter in great detail in front of the right hon. Gentleman and the Select Committee recently.
Session: Employment Don Valley
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Can the Minister offer any prospect of imminent relief to constituents whose insurance premiums have risen sixfold, given that some face a demand of an additional £6,000 this year?
Context
The MP highlighted residents of Barrier Point facing significantly increased insurance premiums, with some facing an additional £6,000 this year.
Lee Rowley
I completely appreciate the point. I have met with the Association of British Insurers multiple times in the last few weeks alone. I am hopeful that the scheme it hopes to bring forward will come forward in the next few weeks. Later today, I am meeting the British Insurance Brokers' Association again to talk about how it will reduce commissions.
Session: Cladding and Building Remediation
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Will the Minister give an assurance that he will give serious and sympathetic consideration to the recommendation for recording of assessments?
Context
The Select Committee on Work and Pensions recommended that all assessments should be recorded to help rectify issues, supported by assessment providers.
Tom Pursglove
I am willing to look at allowing recordings of assessments but will not make specific commitments today, noting the importance of constructive work on welfare reforms. People can already record assessments if they choose.
Session: Disabled People Benefits System Support
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The pensions dashboard will provide important support. It was due to be rolled out from August, but last week the Minister, very disappointingly, announced a delay and we do not now know when it will be implemented. Is it a delay of weeks or months, or even longer? Will the Minister give us a full, urgent update before the Easter recess?
Context
The MP questions about a delay in the rollout of the pensions dashboard and seeks an urgent update before the Easter recess.
Laura Trott
Work is ongoing and I will come back to the House at the earliest available opportunity.
Session: Cost of Living Pensioner Support
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Will Ministers look again in the Budget at the level of local housing allowance for the coming financial year?
Context
Rightmove reported that London rents increased by over 16% last year, while local housing allowances have been frozen since 2020, creating a significant gap for those relying on such support.
Mel Stride
The right hon. Gentleman makes a perfectly valid point, but he needs to see this issue in the round. My fellow Ministers have outlined at some length the cost of living support payments that were made available last year and that were announced in the autumn statement and will be available from April onwards. I have already mentioned discretionary housing payments, with £1.6 billion of support since 2011. There is also the household support fund, which gained an extra £1 billion for 2023-24.
Session: Local Housing Allowance
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What assessment has been made of the impact of real-terms reductions in local housing allowance rates on families?
Context
The question arises from the real-terms reductions in local housing allowance rates, which have a significant impact on low-income households' ability to afford rent.
Mel Stride
In 2020, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, the Government boosted the local housing allowance by almost £1 billion, taking it to the 30th percentile of rents. For those where there is a shortfall, the discretionary housing payments arrangements are available. We should all be mindful of the expense of the support for housing, which is running at £30 billion a year, and is projected to rise to £50 billion in 2050.
Session: Local Housing Allowance
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We were grateful for the answers that the Secretary of State gave at the Work and Pensions Committee meeting last week, and we are looking forward to him returning on 11 January. He has been pressed this afternoon, repeatedly and rightly, about local housing allowance, and I have heard his answers to those questions. Next year will be the fourth year that the local housing allowance has been frozen at its current level, during a period when rents have risen sharply. Does he recognise that the case for rebasing local housing allowance, so that it reflects actual local rents, is becoming a very pressing one?
Context
Next year will be the fourth consecutive year that local housing allowance has been frozen at its current level, despite rising rents.
Mel Stride
Once again, I thank the right hon. Gentleman for the opportunity to appear before his Committee last week.
Session: Topical Questions
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It is estimated that 4,000 Muslim young people every year choose not to enter higher education because their faith bars them from paying interest on a student loan. David Cameron said nine years ago he would fix this. Will the new ministerial team commit to introducing alternative student finance and give us some indication of when that will be?
Context
Many Muslim young people avoid higher education due to religious restrictions on taking interest-bearing loans.
Robert Halfon
I am strongly committed to introducing alternative student finance, something my Harlow constituents have also lobbied me about. The issue is that we want to introduce the lifelong learning entitlement, and we will introduce alternative student finance in conjunction with that.
Session: Topical Questions
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For months, Ministers and officials at the Department have promised a new IT system that will give us detailed information about families with leave to remain but no recourse to public funds. The chair of the UK Statistics Authority stated in February that the new system would be operational this year. When will the Department take control and switch on its new system so it can provide basic data?
Context
The Home Office does not have accurate data on the number of people given leave to remain without access to public funds. Despite promises, a new IT system that would provide this information has been delayed.
Robert Jenrick
We are open to deepening and enriching the level of data available. We have been speaking to stakeholders to see what further steps we might be able to take, and I will keep the right hon. Gentleman informed.
Session: Families with Leave to Remain No Recourse to Public Funds
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When will the government publish improved data on families with leave to remain but no recourse to public funds? The Home Office's current lack of data is concerning as it does not know how many people are affected by this status. Ministers and officials have previously stated that a new IT system would provide this information, yet delays continue.
Context
The Home Office currently does not publish data on the number of families given leave to remain without access to public funds. Despite promises, a new IT system that would provide this information has been delayed.
Robert Jenrick
The Home Office currently publishes extensive data on NRPF change of conditions applications, including details on age, gender, and nationality. We are open to obtaining further NRPF-related data through other means; plans for this have been outlined in correspondence with the UK Statistics Authority.
Session: Families with Leave to Remain No Recourse to Public Funds
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Current large-scale food bank dependence is shameful. It was up by 46% in August and September compared to a year previously according to the Trussell Trust, and it is reported in the press today that hospitals are seeing a big rise in malnutrition cases. The family resources survey says that food insecurity among universal credit claimants fell from 43% to 27% after the £20 a week uplift was introduced. Does this not show how crucial it is that the Prime Minister keeps the promise he made as Chancellor to uprate benefits next April by 10.1%?
Context
The question is a follow-up to concerns about the level of universal credit and its effect on food security, noting an increase in reliance on food banks and malnutrition cases.
Mel Stride
I am not going to pre-empt my decision on the uprating of benefits or indeed the triple lock. We will need to wait until at least 17 November when my right hon Friend the Chancellor will come to the House with his autumn statement and those details will be known at that point.
Session: Universal Credit Food Insecurity
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What assessment has been made of the impact of the level of universal credit on food insecurity? The current large-scale food bank dependence is shameful. It was up by 46% in August and September compared to a year previously according to the Trussell Trust, and it is reported in the press today that hospitals are seeing a big rise in malnutrition cases.
Context
The question arises from concerns about the level of universal credit and its effect on food security, particularly noting an increase in reliance on food banks.
Mel Stride
I am not going to pre-empt my decision on the uprating of benefits or indeed the triple lock. We will need to wait until at least 17 November when my right hon Friend the Chancellor will come to the House with his autumn statement and those details will be known at that point.
Session: Universal Credit Food Insecurity
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What further steps the Government plan to take to help increase the number of disabled people in work.
Context
The question arises from the Government's commitment to increase employment among disabled people. The MP seeks further details on the range of initiatives and their effectiveness.
Chloe Smith
As I said to the hon. Member for Motherwell and Wishaw (Marion Fellows) , we are absolutely committed to being able to continue to increase the number of disabled people in work. There is a range of Government initiatives to achieve this, including the Work and Health programme, the Intensive Personalised Employment Support programme, Access to Work, Disability Confident, and supporting partnerships with the health system.
Session: Disabled People in Work
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The household support fund now accounts for billions in public spending. What information is the Department collecting about how that fund is being used, who is benefiting from it, what their circumstances are and how much support they receive? What plans does the Department have to publish that information?
Context
The household support fund now accounts for billions in public spending.
Therese Coffey
We issue funding based on grant conditions. We undertake a very light-touch approach with councils to make sure that they satisfy those conditions. We do not collect extensive information, but it is important that we allow councils to get on. They are close to the community, so they are well placed to make sure that that discretionary funding can go to the right people.
Session: Topical Questions
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Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I welcome the efforts on pension credit take-up. The Chancellor's additional payments are very welcome, but the need for them highlights the failings of the current pensions and benefits uprating system. The Select Committee will be looking at this, but does the Minister agree that now is the time to review how we uprate pensions and benefits each year and the level at which they are set?
Context
The current pension and benefits uprating system needs review.
Guy Opperman
You got there first, Mr Speaker, but I also congratulate the former Pensions Minister, the Chair of the Select Committee, on his knighthood, which is genuinely deserved. The whole House wishes him well when he goes to meet the Queen for his investiture. The right hon. Gentleman is a former Pensions Minister and will recall that the present uprating policy started in April 1987 and has continued under successive Governments, including the 13 years of Labour Government. I will, of course, come to the Select Committee to listen to its suggestions, but the same process has been in place for the best part of 35 years. The level is set between September and November, and the uprating takes place thereafter.
Session: Pensioners Cost of Living
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It is estimated that 4,000 Muslim students annually are prevented from entering higher education because no suitable financing exists. Despite initial work under the previous government's commitment, progress seems to have stalled recently. I am grateful for the Secretary of State's reaffirmation of the Government's commitment to delivering on David Cameron's promise nine years ago, but can he give us an indication of how much longer Muslim students will have to wait?
Context
An estimated 4,000 Muslim students a year do not pursue higher education due to lack of faith-compatible financial support. This issue was first acknowledged by David Cameron nine years ago.
Nadhim Zahawi
We remain committed to delivering alternative student finance and are currently considering its implementation as part of the lifelong loan entitlement. We will provide a further update on alternative student finance as part of our response to the LLE consultation, which closed earlier this month.
Session: Alternative Student Finance Muslim Students
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What progress has been made on developing an alternative student finance product for Muslim students? It is estimated that 4,000 Muslim students annually are prevented from entering higher education because no suitable financing exists. Despite initial work under the previous government's commitment, progress seems to have stalled recently.
Context
An estimated 4,000 Muslim students a year do not pursue higher education due to lack of faith-compatible financial support. This issue was first acknowledged by David Cameron nine years ago.
Nadhim Zahawi
We remain committed to delivering alternative student finance and are currently considering its implementation as part of the lifelong loan entitlement. We will provide a further update on alternative student finance as part of our response to the LLE consultation, which closed earlier this month.
Session: Alternative Student Finance Muslim Students
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In the Homes for Ukraine scheme, it is left to the individuals involved to sort out matches with hosts themselves, often through ad hoc Facebook groups. It is not surprising that this has led to reports of sexual exploitation risks. What assurance can the Secretary of State give in respect of the rigour and effectiveness of the separate home checks that are undertaken for the scheme?
Context
Individuals involved in the Homes for Ukraine scheme sort matches with hosts through ad hoc Facebook groups, which has raised concerns about potential exploitation.
Michael Gove
The right hon Gentleman raises an important question. I am very grateful to the more than 100,000 UK citizens who have signed up to offer their homes for the scheme. As well as criminal record and police national computer checks before visas are granted, there are vetting and barring and other checks conducted by local authorities at the time that individuals find themselves in homes.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does the Minister recognize that the reported increase is likely not genuine, given changes in eligibility rules? Is it time for an ambitious target and action plan?
Context
The Minister referred to a modest increase in pension credit take-up, but this could be due to removing mixed-age pensioner couples from eligibility.
Guy Opperman
We already have an engagement strategy with key organizations. Pension credit take-up has increased by 3%, and we are making the case for claims to carers or family members on behalf of others.
Session: Topical Questions
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Take-up of pension credit remains low: an estimated 850,000 pensioner households across the country are not receiving the help that they are entitled to. The Department could feasibly work out who those households are and simply make them an award of pension credit. Given the scale of the current cost of living crisis, will the Department commit to an ambitious target for increasing the take-up of pension credit across the country and to a much more ambitious campaign to promote it?
Context
The MP is concerned about low take-up of pension credit amidst the cost of living crisis and seeks a commitment for an ambitious target to increase take-up.
Guy Opperman
I hate to disagree with the Chair of the Select Committee but he is wrong. As he knows, because he did this job in 2007-08, the Department does not know the exact numbers of a means-tested benefit that was set up by Gordon Brown specifically for circumstances where there is not the capability of saying exactly who can apply. The right hon. Gentleman is also wrong, however, that the stats are going up, not down, because they are up on the main income element.
Session: Pension Credit Claimants Kettering
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In east London the position is getting worse. The delays in the east London family court are the worst in London. Several months ago we were told that parts of east London would be transferred to other courts to ease the problems, but nothing seems to have happened so far and families are now having to wait a minimum of seven months for a hearing. When will we finally see some progress on this? Do we not need additional court capacity?
Context
Families in East London are experiencing significant delays with hearings taking seven months to be scheduled. Previous promises for improvements have not been realised.
James Cartlidge
The Government is working closely with the judiciary to increase sitting capacity across the east London cluster. A Nightingale court was created at Petty France, and additional courts are being utilised at Stratford magistrates and Royal Court of Justice.
Session: Family Courts Delays
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What steps he is taking to reduce delays in the family courts. In East London, families face the longest waits for hearings at seven months despite previous assurances about transfers to ease pressures. When will we see progress?
Context
The delays in the east London family court are particularly severe, with waiting times stretching to seven months and promises of improvements not materialising.
James Cartlidge
We invested £0.25 billion in the last financial year to support recovery, including £76 million for family and civil courts capacity, with a further £324 million over three years. A Nightingale court was created at Petty France with four additional courts, and more are being used at Stratford magistrates and Royal Court of Justice.
Session: Family Courts Delays
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In addition to the Minister's work with health and disability charities, can she confirm that she is engaged with regional stakeholder networks to ensure a diverse range of disabled voices shapes Government work?
Context
The Minister has been working closely with leading health and disability charities.
Chloe Smith
I am indeed fully engaged with regional stakeholder networks to listen to and incorporate a wide range of disability voices. We need this diversity to inform our decisions correctly.
Session: Disabled People Trust in DWP
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I am concerned about the social security advisory committee's recommendation last year that disabled people do not trust DWP and that burying the NatCen report worsened this situation. Improper consultation on the national disability strategy was found illegal. Should the Minister accept the committee's advice to establish a protocol for proper engagement with disabled individuals?
Context
The Department for Work and Pensions' social security advisory committee highlighted a year ago that disabled individuals lack trust in the department. Burying the NatCen report, which detailed these issues, is seen as exacerbating distrust. The improper consultation on the national disability strategy has been found to breach legal standards.
Chloe Smith
I want to engage more with disabled people and listen to them through various methods. However, I disagree with the assertion about the NatCen research and its breach of the cross-Government social research protocol, as protecting a private space for policy development has always been permissible.
Session: Disabled People Trust in DWP
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With prices rising, is not the social security safety net just too low? A single father who cannot work due to health issues told the Select Committee that he had to skip meals so his children could eat. He now cannot afford food, heating or transport and cannot buy Christmas presents for his children.
Context
A single father is struggling to afford basic necessities due to reduced benefits.
David Rutley
We have introduced the household support fund. In Newham, £3.3 million is available for those facing challenges this winter.
Session: Increased Living Costs Benefit Claimants
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Lease-holders in Kingfisher Court, built by Barratt in my constituency, have just been told that, unlike leaseholders in very similar buildings nearby, their application to the building safety fund has been rejected. They do not know why, and they now face bankruptcy. Can the right hon. Gentleman offer any reassurance that I can take when I meet them later this evening?
Context
Lease-holders in Kingfisher Court, built by Barratt in East Ham, have had their application to the building safety fund rejected while similar buildings nearby were accepted. They face bankruptcy as a result.
Michael Gove
Yes. I take this incredibly seriously. The right hon. Gentleman's office may have already been in touch with the Department, but if it can be in touch with my private office directly, I will see what we can provide by way of additional information before he sees his constituents later.
Session: Topical Questions
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Unemployment support is now at the lowest level in real terms for over 30 years, even though the economy has grown by more than 50%. Why is unemployment support set at this historically extremely low level?
Context
Unemployment support is now at the lowest level in real terms for more than 30 years.
David Rutley
It is important to have a safety net, but it is also very important to get people into work. With 1.1 million vacancies and a plan for jobs, that has to be our focus.
Session: Universal Credit Standard Allowance End of Uplift
View All Questions -->
Paid-for scam adverts are rife online and people often lose their life savings due to them. While the Prime Minister said the Online Safety Bill aims to tackle online fraud, it does not address paid-for scam adverts as drafted. Will the Minister review the Department's position given that waiting for another process could take years?
Context
Scam adverts are widespread online, leading to significant financial losses for individuals. The draft Online Safety Bill currently does not cover paid-for scam adverts.
Matt Warman
The Government are committed to tackling online fraud through various measures, including considering all options via the online advertising programme and addressing fraudulent user-generated content with the prelegislative scrutiny of the draft Online Safety Bill.
Session: Fraudulent Online Advertisements
View All Questions -->
Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Child Maintenance Service
27 February 2024
Responding: Paul Maynard
Main Concerns
["The CMS has faced issues including unaffordable child maintenance demands leading to hardship and even suicides, low take-up of the service, enforcement challenges for collect-and-pay arrangements, and inadequate support for domestic abuse victims. Rachel Parkin's case demonstrates a lack of commitment to promises made by former leadership about single caseworkers for complex cases."]
Specific Asks
['Will the Government provide a timeline for reviewing child maintenance calculation formulas? When will secondary legislation from the Child Support (Enforcement) Act be introduced and when can enforcement begin under the new regulations?']
Saving for Later Life
07 February 2023
Responding: Laura Trott
Main Concerns
['Auto-enrolment has been successful in increasing workplace pension saving but there are significant challenges: people are not saving enough for adequate retirement incomes, and those outside the scope of auto-enrolment due to low pay or self-employment would benefit from pension savings. Only 39% of households are on track for an adequate pension according to the Pensions Commission definition, with nearly 20% heading towards poverty in retirement. The problem is particularly severe for people in their 40s and above who lack defined benefit pensions and have not had time to build up auto-enrolment savings.']
Specific Asks
['The Government should consult on a plan to deal with the issue of inadequate pension savings, aiming to raise minimum contributions from 8% to 12%. Legislation is needed this year for implementing the 2017 review recommendations by the mid-2020s. The Minister should also work towards identifying an adequate retirement income and start laying the ground for sufficient saving to deliver it.']
Entrepreneurs from Ethnic Minority Backgrounds
20 December 2022
Responding: Nusrat Ghani
Main Concerns
['Minority-led businesses face significant barriers in accessing finance and are underrepresented among small and medium-sized enterprises. Statistics show that while 14% of the UK population is from an ethnic minority background, only 5% of SMEs are led by such individuals, and these businesses often struggle with lower earnings and higher failure rates due to difficulties securing funding. There is also a strong correlation between wealth disparity and business success among ethnic minorities.']
Specific Asks
["The Minister should provide the Government's assessment on financial institutions' lending practices towards ethnic minority businesses and commit to more aggressive action in public procurement, such as establishing minimum target percentages for procurement from minority-owned businesses. Additionally, the Minister needs to address the lack of data collection on ethnic diversity in business."]
Mathematical Sciences: Contribution to Society
15 November 2022
Responding: Nick Gibb
Main Concerns
["The speaker is concerned about the underfunding of mathematical sciences research, with only £124 million of a pledged £300 million invested so far. He highlights Deloitte's estimate that the mathematical sciences add more than £200 billion annually to the UK economy and emphasises the importance of pure maths in yielding practical applications in future. Additionally, he expresses worry about the shrinking size of maths courses at low-tariff universities, particularly affecting students from lower-income backgrounds."]
Specific Asks
['The speaker calls on the Government to clarify that the remaining £176 million funding will be delivered as pledged and to make clear the strategic importance of maths to incentivise and support universities in giving it priority. He also urges for more investment in recruiting, developing, and retaining maths teachers.']
India’s Foreign Contribution Law: NGOs
25 May 2022
Responding: Amanda Milling
Main Concerns
["I am concerned about the impact of India's Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) on non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Oxfam India, which received around €15 million in annual income from abroad last year, has had its FCRA licence refused and will see its annual income fall to €2.1 million this year. This decision is expected to close at least 11 of its 15 development projects and drastically reduce the organisation's reach of over 1.5 million people, mainly Dalits, indigenous populations, minorities, women, and girls. No explanation has been given for this decision. The FCRA now gives the Government huge powers to inquire into NGOs' activities, suspending their work until inquiries are complete."]
Specific Asks
["I ask the Minister to urge the Indian authorities to review carefully the FCRA for compliance with international human rights standards and to suspend aspects of the law that restrict charities from providing urgently needed relief. I also request an explanation from the Indian Government as to why Oxfam India's activities are considered 'not in the public interest'."]
Historical Allegations of Sexual Abuse
05 January 2022
Main Concerns
['Sharifa, a constituent who experienced severe sexual assault in a hospital at age 17, faced significant barriers in seeking justice due to the lack of support and resources available. She suffered from mental health issues and physical pain following the incident, which worsened over time as she struggled with accessing legal assistance and medical records.']
Specific Asks
['How can someone like Sharifa obtain justice despite reporting the assault many years after it occurred? What provisions are in place to support individuals who lack funds to pursue legal action? Are there plans to abolish the three-year limitation period for childhood abuse victims in England and Wales?']
Tackling the Digital Divide
04 November 2021
Responding: Julia Lopez
Main Concerns
["The digital divide remains a significant issue in the UK despite recent progress. There are still 2.6 million people not online, and ten million lack basic digital skills. The government's digital inclusion strategy has not been updated since 2014, which is inadequate given the current context where digital tools have become essential due to the pandemic."]
Specific Asks
['The Minister should prioritize updating the digital inclusion strategy and introduce policies that address affordable internet access and community support for those lacking digital skills. Funding from central government is needed urgently to deploy digital champions around the country and to support grassroots organizations in addressing the divide.']
Adult Dependent Relative Visas
03 November 2021
Responding: Rachel Maclean
Main Concerns
['In 2012, the Government implemented a hostile environment policy making it extremely difficult for elderly relatives of British citizens to join them in the UK. Data shows that from 2017 to 2020, only 35 out of 908 visa applications were approved at first attempt. The rules are undermining the NHS by forcing doctors to choose between their work and supporting their elderly parents abroad. Six thousand doctors left the NHS in five years, many for this reason. A survey found that 90% of doctors reported feelings of anxiety, stress, and helplessness because of these immigration policies.']
Specific Asks
['The MP urges the Minister to review the unfair policy on adult dependent relative visas and provide a figure for the cost of a more accommodating policy compared to the current restrictive approach. He asks why so few applicants have been successful in the past nine years and what justification there is for weakening the NHS by preventing elderly relatives from joining their key worker families in the UK.']
Household Overcrowding: Covid-19
10 March 2021
Responding: Eddie Hughes
Main Concerns
["In East Ham, the rate of overcrowded households is the highest in the country at 27%, with minority ethnic communities particularly affected. Stephen Timms highlighted a case where a family has been living in a one-bedroom flat for over a decade despite applications to move and noted that families on Newham Council's housing waiting list often wait up to 15 years. He cited studies showing links between overcrowding and poor physical and mental health, increased risk of accidents, mould, and respiratory problems. The pandemic has exacerbated these issues, with higher transmission rates in overcrowded homes making social distancing impossible."]
Specific Asks
['Stephen Timms called on the Government to produce a strategy to reduce overcrowding by the end of summer, as recommended by the Women and Equalities Committee, and to address racial inequalities in public health. He also questioned whether there would be new investment in social house building or if it would require another Labour government.']
No Recourse to Public Funds
08 October 2020
Responding: Chris Philp
Main Concerns
["The MP is concerned about families in his constituency who have leave to remain but no recourse to public funds. He mentions a case of a couple with two children born in the UK, both holding British passports, where one lost their job and couldn't access any help due to this policy. The charity FareShare reported an increase from 1 tonne to 20 tonnes of food distributed weekly to Newham borough during the pandemic, largely attributed to no recourse to public funds. Citizens Advice estimated that 1.4 million people in the UK have leave to remain but no recourse to public funds, including 175,000 children."]
Specific Asks
["The MP asks for the suspension of the 'no recourse to public funds' policy during the pandemic and urges the Home Office to provide basic information on how many people are affected by this condition. He requests that Ministers fulfill their responsibilities towards Parliament and answer straightforward parliamentary questions."]
Timms Review: Interim Report
09 July 2026
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Employment and Training
06 July 2026
General Debate
Led by this MP
The draft order aims to support the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board's levy proposals for 2026, 2027 and 2028. This statutory instrument is crucial as it retains funding mechanisms tha...
Child Poverty Reduction Act - New clause 3—Review of the impact of the Act on child poverty, destitution, and wider social and economic outcomes
23 February 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
This new clause would require the Secretary of State to undertake a review of the effects of the Child Poverty Reduction Act on child poverty, destitution, and wider social and economic outcomes. The ...
Pensions and Social Security
10 February 2026
General Debate
Led by this MP
Moves the draft Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2026, which was laid before the House on 12 January.
Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill 2025-07-09
09 July 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
I beg to move amendment 39, page 1, line 21, leave out subsection (4) and insert—
(4) The relevant uplift percentage for tax years 2026-27 to 2029-30 is 4.8%.
This amendment would apply the full stand...
Social Security Benefits 2025-02-04
04 February 2025
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Minister clarify how long the tax on state pension will remain in place? The Conservative Government previously committed to removing this fiscal drag, but the current status is unclear. Give...
Police Accountability
23 October 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Disabled People on Benefits: EHRC Investigation
23 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Backbench Business
16 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The debate urges the UK Government to deliver prompt compensation to women born in the 1950s who had their state pension age raised. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report highlights th...
Pension Schemes
02 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The debate concerns the treatment of beneficiaries in defined benefit pension schemes, particularly highlighting cases involving BP, Shell, Hewlett-Packard, and ExxonMobil. The speaker emphasises issu...
Attendance
71.1%
59 of 83 votes
Aye Votes
19
22.9% of votes
No Votes
40
48.2% of votes
Abstentions
24
28.9% of votes
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
24 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
04 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
03 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 458
Noes: 104
Passed
28 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Medical Devices (Fees Amendment) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 294
Noes: 108
Passed
28 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Youth unemployment
Ayes: 91
Noes: 287
Failed
28 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: British Indian Ocean Territory
Ayes: 103
Noes: 284
Failed
27 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 9
Ayes: 91
Noes: 378
Failed
27 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 2
Ayes: 61
Noes: 311
Failed
27 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 1
Ayes: 88
Noes: 310
Failed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Commi...
Ayes: 191
Noes: 326
Failed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Commi...
Ayes: 195
Noes: 317
Failed
21 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: Thir...
Ayes: 316
Noes: 194
Passed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial...
Ayes: 373
Noes: 106
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 347
Noes: 185
Passed
20 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Sentencing Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 7
Ayes: 319
Noes: 127
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 344
Noes: 182
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 347
Noes: 184
Passed
7
PMQs Asked
65
Ministerial Questions Asked
183
House of Commons Debates Involved
10
Westminster Hall Debates Led
12
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
83
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1370 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
+90% above average
This MP:
7
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+376% above average
This MP:
65
Average:
13.7
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+295% above average
This MP:
10
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+3680% above average
This MP:
183
Average:
4.8
Statements / Bills Proposed
+26% above average
This MP:
12
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.4
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
+2% above average
This MP:
71.1
Average:
69.5
Important Context
- - Ministers answer questions rather than asking them, so have different activity patterns
- - Activity quantity doesn't measure quality or effectiveness of representation
- - Some MPs focus more on constituency work than parliamentary questions
- - Newly elected MPs will have less parliamentary history
About This Page
This page tracks Stephen Timms's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.