Steve McCabe MP, Birmingham-Selly Oak, is a member of the Work and Pensions Select Committee who in a report released today, recommend that the Chancellor must maintain for another year ‘at the very least’ the £20 per week increase in Universal Credit (UC) and Working Tax Credit introduced to support families during the coronavirus pandemic. The report notes that sinceContinue reading Universal Credit uplift must be extended to prevent hundreds of thousands falling into poverty
When it comes to politics it’s better to under-promise and over-deliver
AFTER weeks of encouraging us to proceed, the PM has finally pulled the rug on our Christmas plans by admitting things are much worse than he’d let on. How has it got so out of control? Is it just that things are so difficult that it would be too hard for anyone or are notContinue reading When it comes to politics it’s better to under-promise and over-deliver
Realistic rehabilitation for offenders is a must
A certain PM once argued we should be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime. We are currently losing that battle while being encouraged to believe that it’s all too hard and involves difficult choices. I was surprised, while taking part in a recent research interview, to be asked what was moreContinue reading Realistic rehabilitation for offenders is a must
Cometh the hour, cometh the man – we’ve got the wrong man for this situation
I got short shrift from the Prime Minister on Monday for daring to ask him to his face what so many of his own MPs are saying behind his back. I asked him if he should quit. Actually, I asked him if he’d thought of making way for someone with a skillset, better suited to getting us through this crisis. This is the kind of situation that should bring people together but that’s not how it’s comingContinue reading Cometh the hour, cometh the man – we’ve got the wrong man for this situation
Care leavers always in need of our support and protection
This is National Care Leavers week. I don’t normally comment on ‘celebration’ weeks but this deserves our attention. There are about 2,000 children in care in Birmingham with around 250 leaving each year. Their profile has changed and few of them are orphans. They’re more likely to be children whose parents for various reasons, sometimesContinue reading Care leavers always in need of our support and protection
Selly Oak Housing Roadshow
Join Steve McCabe MP and Cllr Sharon Thompson for a Private Rented Sector Mini Conference on 5 November The roadshow will cover the following topics: Exempt Accommodation, Housing Options, Private Rented Service and Planning Policy. Residents will hear from Council officers on the work being done on each area and explain the powers and duties availableContinue reading Selly Oak Housing Roadshow
MPs call for starter payments to prevent hardship during wait for first Universal Credit payment
Steve McCabe MP for Birmingham Selly Oak sits on the Work and Pensions Committee who in their latest report say a starter payment should be made to people claiming Universal Credit (UC) for the first time to ensure that everyone has enough money for basics such as food and heating during the wait for theirContinue reading MPs call for starter payments to prevent hardship during wait for first Universal Credit payment
This country deserves better than power-grabbing, tinpot dictatorship
It’s hard to believe that not quite 12 months ago Boris Johnson scored such a decisive election victory. He won because he said he’d agreed a deal to get Brexit done. Now he says we’ll have to leave without one and ignores the damage that will do to the Midlands. We’re already on our kneesContinue reading This country deserves better than power-grabbing, tinpot dictatorship
END NO RECOURSE TO PUBLIC FUNDS
I spoke in the Westminster Hall Debate on No Recourse to Public Funds tabled by Stephen Timms MP on Thursday 8th October. You can hear my thoughts here: Covid-19 has highlighted the failings in our system. I have been very concerned about migrants who have ‘no recourse to public funds’ who are often having toContinue reading END NO RECOURSE TO PUBLIC FUNDS
Coronavirus Act Sept 2020
I know that many of my constituents have been concerned about the Coronavirus Act, it’s impact on democracy and the lack of scrutiny. It’s shocking but unsurprising that despite being 18 on the list to speak in the debate on the Renewal of the Coronavirus Emergency Powers, I had no chance to represent the viewsContinue reading Coronavirus Act Sept 2020