"T5. The Minister referred earlier to record levels of employment, but is it not a fact that this is only because the Tories are running a slave economy, with 4 million people on bogus self-employment, zero-hours contracts and agency work, waiting to know whether they are going to be working …..." Stephen Hepburn - View Speech
"15. What recent representations she has received from people affected by the pension transition arrangements for women born in the 1950s. ..." Stephen Hepburn - View Speech
"The Government have seen fit to award the richest personal earners and the top five wealthiest corporations in the country tens of billions of pounds in tax cuts. Do the Government think that the Tories are being fair when they steal the pensions of women to stuff their friends’ pockets?..." Stephen Hepburn - View Speech
"The hon. Gentleman mentioned mandatory reconsiderations. Is he aware that Department for Work and Pensions staff are informing people that mandatory reconsiderations will be delayed over Christmas because of the excess workload they face? Through him, can I ask the Minister to transfer staff from bringing in the sanctions and …..." Stephen Hepburn - View Speech
"My hon. Friend is very generous. Just to place the numbers in context, is he aware that more than 4,000 women in the Jarrow constituency alone have been robbed of their thoughts of a happy retirement? That has been stolen from them by a Tory Government, who are more willing …..." Stephen Hepburn - View Speech
"17. What steps his Department is taking to ensure that personal independence payment assessments are undertaken fairly and efficiently. ..." Stephen Hepburn - View Speech
"We have all had cases like that, but could it not only be an arrogant Tory Government who ignore legal decisions that override expert medical opinion in order to deprive people with mental health issues of the right to benefits? What level of cuts has the Minister promised the Chancellor …..." Stephen Hepburn - View Speech
"I am pleased to have secured this debate on an important subject that is all too often ignored. Construction is the most dangerous industry in the UK. Indeed, the recent unplanned collapse and tragedy at Didcot power station highlighted the dangers faced by construction workers on a daily basis. Last …..." Stephen Hepburn - View Speech
"That is also the policy on the mainland, but, as I will reveal, sadly it is not as effective as it used to be.
In 2007-08 the HSE was successful in prosecuting 51% of construction fatal accidents. By 2012-13 that figure had dropped to a mere—and disgraceful—35%. No blame should …..." Stephen Hepburn - View Speech