The revised ‘running a safe surgery’ booklet is available on the intranet here: https://intranet.parliament.uk/Documents/intranet/Election%20documents/PSD-Safe-Surgery-guide-Oct-2021.pdf
Please ensure that all MPs and staff take the time to read it – it provides simple and effective methods of reducing the risk to you, your Member and your constituents.
Please note that links to the old Parliamentary intranet have been removed as of October 2023. Please use search on ParliNet to find relevant current details, if available.
https://parlinet.parliament.uk/house-of-commons-members-staff/
A trial of the sale of halal and kosher meals will commence 18 October in Bellamy’s. Halal and kosher sandwiches will also be added to the ranges in the Debate and the Terrace.
The trial will run until the end of January 2022, when the House will review feedback and consider rollout to other venues across the estate.
We at w4mp are shocked at the news that Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West has died from his injuries after having been attacked at his advice surgery this afternoon. We offer our sincere condolences to his family, friends and staff at this awful time.
Members and their staff need to remain alert and be aware of their security. Please do read our guide here: https://w4mp.org/w4mp/w4mp-guides/guides-to-parliament/security-at-westminster-and-in-constituency-offices/ for information about the support which is available to you.
The Members’ Security Support Service (MSSS) provides guidance, advice and support to members of both Houses and their staff, about security away from the Parliamentary Estate. You can call them on 020 7219 2244 if you wish to discuss anything related to security and personal safety.
Security away from Parliament, including at advice surgeries and in constituency offices: https://parlinet.parliament.uk/working-here/lords-staff-handbook/about-house-of-lords/security/
On 30 September 2021, Gresham College broadcast a 1-hour lecture by Professor Leslie Thomas QC and David Neale.
It’s really worth watching as it gives an excellent background to the history of Britain’s immigration law which will be of interest to anyone who works as an MP’s caseworker, particularly those who process immigration casework.
Here’s the lecture summary:
“Commonwealth citizens once enjoyed the right to live, work and settle in the UK without any restrictions. But a racist backlash against Black and Asian immigration led to legislators introducing immigration controls in the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962, which were broadened by the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1968 to deprive East African Asians of the right to settle in the UK. Its shameful successor, the Immigration Act 1971 continues to form the basis of our xenophobic immigration laws today.”
You can watch the lecture on Gresham College’s website here: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/immigration-act
Time: 13:30pm
Date: Wednesday 20th October
Venue: Online
No Panic is a registered charity that helps and supports those living with Panic Attacks, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and other related anxiety disorders. No Panic also provides support for the carers of people who suffer from anxiety disorders.
One of the charity No Panic patron’s will be hosting an interactive and engaging talk on the background of No Panic, understanding anxious thoughts and anxiety disorders, chatting through their own lived experience of anxiety disorders and practical ways you can develop your own self-care strategies?
Please RSVP to [email protected]
Time: 10:00
Date: Friday 1 October 2021
Where: MS Teams
Kirstie has revolutionised the culture at Octopus by putting employees wellbeing, mental health and gratitude at the forefront of everything they do.
Come along to hear how Kirstie made this change and to get some tips on how we can look after ourselves, our colleagues and our offices during these particularly troubling times.
Please email [email protected] to register
Please note that links to the old Parliamentary intranet have been removed as of October 2023. Please use search on ParliNet to find relevant current details, if available.
https://parlinet.parliament.uk/house-of-commons-members-staff/
The Members’ Services Fair is an opportunity for Members and their staff to find out more about the full range of support, services and facilities provided by the House Service and the work of different teams across Parliament.
A series of talks and panel discussions will be held in the Macmillan Room on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 October. These will cover the experiences of Members and Members’ staff of working in the House of Commons, as well as topics including running your office, security, learning and development, personal wellbeing and the culture of Parliament.
A full programme and details on how to pre-register for individual sessions will be available on the intranet closer to the event. Talks will be live streamed for the benefit of constituency staff or those unable to attend in person.
You can find further information on the intranet
Members of Parliament handle a high volume of immigration, nationality and asylum enquiries from constituents.
The Commons Library has produced a briefing which provides a brief overview of the UK’s immigration and asylum system and basic British nationality law.
It also outlines the legal restrictions on giving immigration advice, gives some suggestions on handling constituents’ enquiries, refers to some sources of information that may be helpful for straightforward questions, and highlights training courses available to Members’ staff.
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn03186/
w4mp has been asked to remind all MPs and their staff to be careful not to disclose any of the MP Hotlines details to constituents, as they can only deal with MPs and their staff.
It’s very easy to pass on these details inadvertently, especially when forwarding emails, so do check that the hotline details haven’t been included.
MPs’ offices are receiving a large number of requests for assistance from constituents with relatives, friends and colleagues stranded in Afghanistan.
In order to help your MP to assist you in the most efficient way, please read this quick guide: https://w4mp.org/w4mp/w4mp-guides/in-the-constituency/casework-guides/issue-by-issue/afghanistan/