Association of Drop-in Centres (ASDIC)

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ASDIC supports the drop-in centres which in turn support veterans in our communities across the UK. ASDIC Centre leaders are all passionate about the services they offer and, if they can’t help with your problem, they’ll know where to look. You can find the location and opening hours of your nearest drop-in centre here: https://www.asdic.org.uk/member-directory/

For further information please contact membership engagement officer Sacha Moravek by emailing [email protected] or by calling 07840 807093.

Constituency casework: help with energy bills for businesses, voluntary sector and public sector organisations

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The House of Commons Library has produced a briefing on help with energy bills for businesses, voluntary sector and public sector organisations.

This briefing provides information on support with energy bills for non-domestic customers, including businesses, public sector organisations and charities. It covers help with rising energy prices, and support to install energy-saving measures and low carbon technologies.

Other sources that answer frequent questions are provided, as well as links to other Library briefings, which cover some of the schemes in more detail. Where complex issues are raised it may be more appropriate to refer constituents to specialist bodies and organisations or to a solicitor if legal advice is sought. 

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9692/

Migrant Help

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Migrant Help exists to protect people affected by displacement and exploitation, helping them thrive as individuals and recover from their trauma. They support those most in need and least likely to find support elsewhere, whilst aiming to bridge community gaps and bring services and support together.

You can read more about Migrant Help here: https://www.migranthelpuk.org/

Whilst there is no MP hotline for Migrant Help, they have provided some information on how to help your constituents:

A guide to reporting issues via their website:
https://w4mp.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Migrant-Help-Guide_RaiseIssue_v02b.pdf

Accessing Migrant Help’s Service User Portal and webchat:
https://w4mp.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Migrant-Help-Webchat-and-Portal-guidance.pdf

Latest Recommended Posting Dates for Christmas Delivery 2022

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You can find the Royal Mail’s latest recommended posting dates for Christmas delivery 2022 here: https://www.royalmail.com/sites/royalmail.com/files/2022-11/Consumer-Latest-Posting-Dates-2022-v1.7.pdf

Details of collection and delivery dates for Christmas 2022 and New Year 2023 can be found here: https://www.royalmail.com/sites/royalmail.com/files/2022-11/Christmas-and-New-Year-2022-23-Delivery-Collection-arrangements-v1.3.pdf

ClientEarth reception for MPs’ staff

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ClientEarth is hosting a networking drinks reception for staff tomorrow – and let’s be honest – you’ve earned it after the past few weeks at Parliament.

The link to register attendance is here, and we will be in the downstairs events room at The Walkers of Whitehall from 5pm to 10pm on Wednesday 2nd November. There will be a welcome glass of English sparkling wine on arrival, and an open bar for most of the evening, so it would be fantastic to see you there. We will hear a few words from ClientEarth’s Director of Communications on UK climate leadership and what we hope to see agreed at the COP27 environmental summit taking place in Egypt through November.

In 2021, the UK hosted COP26 in Glasgow and later this month, will pass the Presidency to Egypt. It is vital that COP26 commitments are met, to secure a world in which people and nature can thrive together.

ClientEarth is an environmental law charity that uses the power of the law to effect the systemic change needed to combat climate change and protect the environment. We use advocacy, advise on draft legislation, capacity-building and litigation to strengthen the protections for both people and planet.

We look forward to seeing you there. ClientEarth colleagues will be wearing lanyards – so feel free to grab one of us and ask us about the environmental work we do!

Of Boys and Men’. Richard Reeves

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MPs and their staff are invited to join the APPG on Issues Affecting Men and Boys when they hear from Richard V. Reeves, Senior Fellow in Economic Studies, Brookings Institution, Washington D.C. on the findings from his new book ‘Of Boys and Men

Date: Wednesday 16th November 10.15 am for 10.30-11.30am
Venue: Archbishop’s Room, Millbank House, 3 Millbank, House of Lords, London SW1P 3JU
Chair: Nick Fletcher MP, chair of the APPG.

Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What To Do About It.

Originally from the UK, Richard’s former roles include Director of Strategy to the then Deputy Prime Minister, and Director of the think-tank Demos. In 2017, Politico magazine named Richard one of the top 50 thinkers in the U.S. for his work on class and inequality.

Men are losing ground in the labour market, falling behind in education, increasingly missing out on family life – a position that’s even worse for Black men.

• The gender gap in college degrees awarded is wider today than it was in the early 1970s – but in the opposite direction.
• The wages of most men are lower today in real terms than they were in 1979 while women’s wages have risen across the board.
• One in five fathers are not living with their children.
• Men account for two out of three ‘deaths of despair’, either from a suicide or an overdose.

Previous attempts to treat this condition, from all political angles, have made the same fatal mistake – of viewing the problems of men as a problem with men.

This book shows how the basic social structures defining masculine maturity and success have been shattered, and how they can — and must — be reinvented.

Digital right to work checks go live

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Digital right to work checks were introduced during the coronavirus pandemic to enable employers to continue hiring when face-to-face checks were not possible. This allowed applicants to send ID documents to employers using email, video call, and apps.

From 1 October 2022, UK employers wishing to carry out digital checks must:

  • use identity service providers (IDSPs)
  • keep digital records for two years after an employee leaves employment

Many employers have moved to remote and hybrid working, so the option for secure, digital right to work checks is designed to help make the recruitment process more efficient.

What does this mean for you?

These changes mean that employers will not be allowed to verify ID documents using less secure methods like email or video call after 30 September.

How to check an applicant’s right to work

Right to work checks can be done in three ways:

  • checking the applicant’s original documents (in person)
  • using identity verification technology (IDVT) with an IDSP
  • a Home Office online right to work check

For further information please see the government’s guide on how to check a job applicant’s right to work and guide to right to work checks for employers.

See also

Our guide to foreign nationals working for Members of Parliament