Author: W4MP Editor

Training courses available in a virtual classroom

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As it is not currently possible to present training courses in a traditional face-to-face classroom setting, the Learning and Development Team have made some courses available online in a virtual classroom.

You can view details of the available courses here: https://parliament.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=1590

Titles available include:

  • Courageous Conversations
  • Handling Challenging Situations
  • Prospering in Turbulent Times
  • Supporting Teams Facing Pressure & Uncertainty
  • Being an Effective Remote Worker
  • Managing Remote Workers
  • Time and Task Management
  • Effective Casework Interviewing Skills for Remote Working
  • Introduction to Welfare Benefits
  • Universal Credit Overview
  • Personal Independence Payment
  • Homelessness Law for Caseworkers (England)
  • Employment Law and COVID-19 – FAQs for caseworkers
  • Protection from eviction and COVID-19 – understanding the law in England and Wales for caseworkers
  • Mindfulness Programme
  • Conversations with Vulnerable People
  • Refugee Resettlement to the UK: How does it work?

NEW: Labour Women’s Parliamentary Staff Network

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The newly-formed Labour Women’s Parliamentary Staff Network (LWPSN) has been set up to connect Labour women staffers.

Please see here for details and information on how to join:

Labour Women’s Parliamentary Staff Network (LWPSN)
https://w4mp.org/library/2010-guide-to-working-for-an-mp-for-new-staff/groups-which-staff-can-join/representation/labour-womens-parliamentary-staff-network/

 

Check out other groups staff can join here:
https://w4mp.org/library/2010-guide-to-working-for-an-mp-for-new-staff/groups-which-staff-can-join/

POST – Rapid response content on COVID-19

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The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) has recent published several new reports relating to COVID-19.  If you’d like to sign up to the POST email newsletter, please go here: https://mailchi.mp/email.parliament.uk/post

COVID-19, children and schools
Children who have COVID-19 are much less likely to develop severe symptoms and much less likely to die from the disease than peple in older age groups. In this article we look at the latest evidence on transmission in children and what that may mean for the re-opening of schools in autumn. We have also produced a timeline of the scientific advice that was provided since February 2020 and the subsequent policy announcements on schools.

Read more on COVID-19 and schools

Child and adolescent mental health during COVID-19
Strained family relationships, reduced social contact and academic stress have mental health impacts on children and adolescents. In 2018/19 over 350,000 young people accessed NHS mental health services just in England. Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) have been reduced during the pandemic. They are likely to be under strain to meet increased demand.

Read more on children’s mental health

COVID-19 in children: July update
In our July update we look at the latest data on COVID-19 prevalence in the UK by age and sex. We explain the possible clinical outcomes for children and review evidence exploring confounding risk factors, such as underlying medical conditions and demographics. We also look at the latest data on how COVID-19 affects pregnancy.

Read more on COVID-19 and children

Effects of COVID-19 on the food supply system
COVID-19 has exposed vulnerabilities in the UK food system. Panic buying and the slow reaction of retailers exposed how cost-efficient and streamlined supply chains struggled to adapt to unforeseen shocks. Problems also arose from the closure of parts of the catering sector and the lack of agility in redistributing supplies from this sector to retail outlets or the food donation/charity sector.

Read more on COVID-19 and food supply chains

COVID-19 vaccines: July update on research
As of 6 July 2020, WHO figures showed almost 150 vaccine candidates in development across the world, 19 of which were being tested in humans. In the past few weeks, vaccine candidates have been rapidly progressing through the first two phases of clinical trials (Phase 1 and Phase 2). These trials test safety and if they stimulate an immune response in people.

Read more on COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19 therapies
This article was updated on 1 May and again on 6 July. Since its original publication on 17 April, the number of COVID-19 clinical trials has increased from 524 to 2,378. There is currently no cure for COVID-19. Researchers are testing existing drugs to see if they act against SARS-CoV-2 or alleviate the symptoms of the disease. Initial positive findings show promise of Dexamethasone and Remdesivir. But negative findings are valuable because they allow researchers to focus on other drugs; there is good evidence that hydroxychloroquine does not offer any benefits to treat COVID-19 patients.

Read more on COVID-19 therapies

COVID-19: July update on face masks and face coverings for the general public
There is some weak evidence that face masks and coverings can reduce transmission of the virus in some specific circumstances, particularly poorly ventilated and crowded indoor spaces. Policy on using face coverings differs across the UK. This article includes a timeline of face mask policies in the UK and the available scientific advice from 6 April up to 3 July.

Read more on face covering guidance for the general public

Contact tracing apps for COVID-19
This article was updated on 14 May with information on the UK’s contact tracing app. It was updated again on 3 July after the UK Government announced that it would be trialling an app released by Apple and Google instead of the NHSX app which was trialled on the Isle of Wight.The release of this UK app is now not expected until the autumn at the earliest.

Read more on contact tracing apps

Constituency office risk assessments

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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 House has produced a risk assessment and guidance to support Members in safely re-opening constituency offices.

The guidance advises Members to consider whether it is necessary to open constituency offices and if so provides practical guidance on the steps to take to ensure the safety of Members, their staff and others.

For any questions regarding this guidance, please contact the Parliamentary Safety Team on
safety@parliament.uk.

Virtual Regional Roadshows

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The extremely popular regional roadshows were suspended because of COVID-19.  However, worry not, for the Customer Team has taken them online instead.

Rather than full day events, they have been broken down into 90-minute sessions, giving you a chance to learn about the range of services available, to influence future service provision and to share experience and knowledge with other staff working in your Region.

For full details, please go to the intranet page here: https://intranet.parliament.uk/business-news/news-current-issues/events/regional-constituency-events/

The current schedule is:

  • North East – Tuesday 30 June 2020
  • West Midlands – Tuesday 14 July 2020
  • Wales – Tuesday 28 July 2020
  • South West – Tuesday 4 August 2020
  • East – Tuesday 18 August 2020
  • London – Tuesday 25 August 2020
  • East Midlands – Tuesday 1 September 2020

More dates will be added later.

New HMRC Guide

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Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs have updated their very helpful booklet, explaining how they can help you to help your constituents.

If you would like a copy of the updated version, please email us and we’ll send you the PDF.

*** Please note that we are only able to send these documents to current Members of the Senedd, Members of Parliament and Members of the Scottish Parliament and their staff with intranet email accounts. It is not available to members of the public. ***

Coronavirus (COVID-19): right to work checks

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Advice for employers carrying out ‘right to work’ checks during the coronavirus pandemic.

It is still necessary for employers to check that their employees have the right to work in the UK and it remains an offence to knowingly employ anyone who does not have the right to work in the UK.

Right to work checks have been temporarily adjusted due to coronavirus (COVID-19). This is to make it easier for employers to carry them out.

Please see here for full details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-right-to-work-checks

Covid-19 and Casework: Ask the Library

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The House of Commons Library is running a series of online training sessions on 25 and 26 June to help MPs’ staff deal with Covid-19 related casework. The programme covers:

  • Preventing evictions
  • Understanding the data on case numbers and deaths
  • The lockdown laws
  • Schools
  • The economic impact
  • Using the Library remotely

And much more…

Take a look at the full programme on ACT and sign up by 22 June to reserve your place.

 

POSTNote: Online extremism

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Extremism is possible in any ideology, including (but not limited to) politics and religion. Extremism can affect mental well-being, amplify hostility and threaten democratic debate. The global reach of the internet poses social and technological challenges for safeguarding citizens from extremism online. When the Commission for Countering Extremism surveyed over 2500 members of the public in 2019, 56% agreed that a lot more should be done to counter extremism online. This POSTnote outlines how the online environment can be used for extremist purposes, how exposure to online extremism can influence people and potential strategies to counter extremist content online.

Find the full POSTNote here: https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pn-0622/