On Friday 5th September Parliament debated and voted on the second reading of the Affordable Homes Bill, a Private Members' Bill put forward by Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George.

I have been contacted by many Lewisham Deptford residents who are struggling to cope with the hated bedroom tax, which was introduced by the Coalition Government. In London alone 48.989 people have been affected by this unfair policy. Unfortunately Mr George's bill would not abolish the tax, but if passed it would protect the most vulnerable people, such as those with disabilities and people for whom the local council in unable to find suitable alternative accommodation.

The Labour Party has been clear and consistent in its opposition to the bedroom tax from the outset. It is an unfair and unworkable policy that causes misery to thousands of people by forcing them out of their homes.

Up to now the Liberal Democrats had repeatedly backed the Tories over this policy, but on Friday many of them voted with Labour. I was in the House to vote for the bill and the results were as follows:

Closure Motion (to stop the bill being talked out on Friday):
Aye: 304
No: 237

Second Reading (to progress to the next stage):
Aye: 306
No: 231

In spit of Conservative attempts to talk the bill out or to derail parliamentary process, the bill will now proceed to the committee stage. Labour will now seek to amend and strengthen the bill and we remain committed to scrapping the bedroom tax entirely if we win next year's general election. 

The government's Universal Credit, which is replacing Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit; Working Tax Credit; Child Tax Credit, Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support, is supposed to provide that safety net but its introduction has been a farce. In 2011 the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions said that over one million people would be claiming Universal Credit by April 2014. The number claiming was fewer than six thousand. At present it will be 3236 before the government's target for roll out is achieved, but what faces claimants once they are on Universal Credit is also deeply worrying.

Currently only Hammersmith in London is trialling Universal Credit but a recent report by the TUC set out what awaits future claimants.

At this time most people who lose their jobs have to wait two weeks before they get their first benefit payment; with Universal Credit this wait could be over five weeks, meaning that people could go into two months of rent arrears before they receive any cash support. According to the TUC's research over 40,000 Londoners could be hit by this but, according to YouGov polling fewer than one in seven people have heard about it.

While we should all save more (it is recommended that we should have savings that could cover three months of essential outgoings) it's not possible for many. I dread to think how many more people would be coming to MPs' surgeries if they had to wait over 5 weeks for help if they had fallen on hard times. People will risk losing their homes and getting into a spiral of debt, often prompting recourse to pay day lenders who make their situation a thousand times worse.

We need a responsive benefits system which can provide a safety net when things go wrong. Universal Credit, its roll out and its implementation is undermining that. The TUC has launched the 'Saving our Safety Net' campaign. You can find out more about this issue, sign the petition and get involved by visiting http://savingoursafetynet.org/

Advice Lewisham has opened a new information hub in New Cross to help and support people looking for basic advice.

Clients have access to free computer facilities at the hub and trained staff are on hand to offer assistance to those seeking help with their benefits entitlement, debt problems and housing.  

Drop-in sessions are held every Friday from 10.00am-12.00pm and again from 1.00-3.00pm at Hatfield Skills and Training Centre, 49A Hatfield Close, New Cross SE14 5DW (pedestrian access from New Cross Road next to All Saints Church). 

The Home Heat Helpline offers free, impartial advice to people on low incomes who are worried about their energy costs. The helpline connects people to services and helps them to reduce their energy bills.

Recent figures produced by the helpline show that 15% of Lewisham households may be eligible for assistance. This includes low income pensioners, disadvantage families with children and those with disabilities.

Support includes insulation and boilers, with many elderly people and low income families qualifying for the £135 Warm Home Discount on energy bills.

If you think you might qualify for assistance, you can contact the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99.

Royal Mail is launching a Christmas Stamp scheme to assist customers who are in receipt of Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance or Incapacity Benefit in buying stamps in the run up to Christmas.  

A leaflet regarding the scheme is being sent to every household in the UK between 8th and 18th October.

The scheme will run from November 6th until December 24th at all UK Post Office branches.  It will enable customers to purchase a total of 36 First and Second Class stamps at last year's prices (46p for First, 36p for Second).  The stamps can be purchased in any combination of First and Second Class but they must be bought in a single transaction. 

On September 12th I pledged my support for leading national food charity FareShare's Million Meal Appeal, due to take place on 6th and 7th October.  FareShare (in conjunction with Sainsbury's) is asking people to donate food to help local people in crisis.

Volunteers will be asked to greet Sainsbury's customers and encourage them to buy an extra item of food from the Million Meal Appeal shopping list. FareShare will then deliver the donated food to over 700 charities and community projects across the UK to help families in need,  Sainsbury's will match the level of food donations collected over the weekend.

The Warm Front scheme provides heating and insulation improvements to households on certain income-related benefits who are living in poor insulated homes or properties that do not have central heating.  The aim is to make homes more energy efficient.

This year - 2012-13 - is the last year the Government will be funding the scheme, so anyone who thinks they may be eligible should apply as soon as possible.