To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 21 Nov 2022
Autumn Statement Resolutions

"On 10 November, a week before the Chancellor stood up to make his statement, the Trussell Trust published its latest figures on the number of emergency food parcels that it has delivered over the first six months of this financial year. The number was 1.3 million, which is an increase …..."
Stephen Timms - View Speech

View all Stephen Timms (Lab - East Ham) contributions to the debate on: Autumn Statement Resolutions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 21 Nov 2022
Autumn Statement Resolutions

"I am glad that it is being raised; it certainly needs to be, and it will need to go further. The right hon. Gentleman would probably agree that if someone is working full time at the legal minimum allowed, that ought to be enough to enable them to live and …..."
Stephen Timms - View Speech

View all Stephen Timms (Lab - East Ham) contributions to the debate on: Autumn Statement Resolutions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 17 Nov 2022
Autumn Statement

"I am puzzled by the Chancellor’s position on his predecessor’s mini-Budget. He appeared to acknowledge its foolhardiness but then attempt to defend it. I agree with him about the importance of tackling inactivity, and we on the Work and Pensions Committee look forward to discussing that with the Secretary of …..."
Stephen Timms - View Speech

View all Stephen Timms (Lab - East Ham) contributions to the debate on: Autumn Statement
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 19 Oct 2022
Economic Responsibility and a Plan for Growth

"My hon. Friend touched on the point that one of the new Prime Minister’s very first decisions was to sack the permanent secretary to the Treasury. Can my hon. Friend shed any light on why that decision was made? Was it, as appears very likely, because he was set to …..."
Stephen Timms - View Speech

View all Stephen Timms (Lab - East Ham) contributions to the debate on: Economic Responsibility and a Plan for Growth
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 19 Oct 2022
Economic Responsibility and a Plan for Growth

"I am very pleased to follow the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Mr Wragg), and I pay tribute to him for the frankness of the personal remarks with which he opened his speech. I must say that the whole speech contained a great deal of good sense, which I hope …..."
Stephen Timms - View Speech

View all Stephen Timms (Lab - East Ham) contributions to the debate on: Economic Responsibility and a Plan for Growth
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 19 Oct 2022
Economic Responsibility and a Plan for Growth

"Will the Minister give way?..."
Stephen Timms - View Speech

View all Stephen Timms (Lab - East Ham) contributions to the debate on: Economic Responsibility and a Plan for Growth
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 19 Oct 2022
Economic Responsibility and a Plan for Growth

"rose—..."
Stephen Timms - View Speech

View all Stephen Timms (Lab - East Ham) contributions to the debate on: Economic Responsibility and a Plan for Growth
Written Question
Cost of Living: Multiple Sclerosis
Wednesday 19th October 2022

Asked by: Stephen Timms (Labour - East Ham)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department plans to conduct an impact assessment of the increased costs of living on the health of people with multiple sclerosis.

Answered by Edward Argar

The Government understands that people across the UK and especially the most vulnerable members of society, such as those suffering from multiple sclerosis, are worried about the rising cost of living. That is why the Government is taking decisive action to get households through this winter and the next, while ensuring we act in a fiscally responsible way. The impact of the cost of living on households and those with disabilities is something that officials continue to review.

Depending on their specific circumstances, it is possible that people with multiple sclerosis will qualify for disability benefits. People in receipt of extra-costs disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) will receive a one-off Disability Cost of Living Payment of £150 from 20th September, to help with the extra costs disabled people are facing. The DWP has already processed around 6 million such payments.

The Government is also providing a £650 Cost of Living Payment to recipients of means-tested benefits, to support people with low incomes with the rising cost of living. Individuals in receipt of means-tested disability benefits, such as income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or the Universal Credit Health top up are eligible for this support.

Those suffering from multiple sclerosis may also benefit from other forms of non-means tested support which the Government is providing to assist with UK households’ energy bills. The Energy Price Guarantee is a scheme that will cap the unit price households pay for electricity and gas, which means that a typical household in Great Britain will have to pay bills equivalent to no more than £2500 a year on their energy bills this winter.

- This will support people with a disability who may need to use more energy due to their condition or treatment.

Secondly, the Energy Bills Support Scheme, which will provide £400 to help with domestic energy bills. All households in Council Tax bands A-D will also receive the Government-funded £150 Council Tax Rebate, which will be delivered by Local Authorities.

Lastly, to support households who need further help or who are not eligible for elements of the wider package of support, the Government is also providing an extra £500 million of local support to help with the cost of essentials, via the Household Support Fund.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 17 Oct 2022
Economic Update

"Does the Chancellor recognise that there was a very heavy blow to the lowest-income households in the country in April when social security benefits were uprated by 3.1% and inflation was nearly 10%? It was justified at the time on the basis that that was what the regular uprating formula …..."
Stephen Timms - View Speech

View all Stephen Timms (Lab - East Ham) contributions to the debate on: Economic Update
Speech in Commons Chamber - Fri 23 Sep 2022
The Growth Plan

"Will the Chancellor give the important assurance that his predecessor gave—that social security benefits will be fully uprated in the usual way, in line with this month’s inflation figure?..."
Stephen Timms - View Speech

View all Stephen Timms (Lab - East Ham) contributions to the debate on: The Growth Plan