Author: W4MP Editor

Domestic Abuse Awareness

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All MP’s Staff Q&A Session

Time: 10:00 – 11:00
Date: Thursday 2 February 2023
Location: Online via MS Teams
Booking: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=5505

We are delighted to welcome Natasha Saunders who will be joining us for our February All Staff Q&A Session.

Natasha is a law changer, conversation starter and motivational speaker but it hasn’t always been that way. After 8 years of a wide range of Domestic Abuse, she has become the voice she needed to hear when she was trapped. Domestic Abuse is everyone’s problem and she invites you to hear her lived experience and how you can not only support those around you but possibly save a life too.

If you have any questions about this session please contact [email protected]

Commonwealth Parliamentary Academy

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FREE online courses for parliamentary and MPs’ staff with CPA Parliamentary Academy

Learning and striving for excellence should be a lifelong objective. With this in mind, the CPA has designed the CPA Parliamentary Academy: A Centre of Excellence for Commonwealth Parliaments. The CPA Parliamentary Academy provides a central learning hub for Commonwealth Parliamentarians, Clerks and parliamentary officials as well as parliamentary and MPs’ staff who want to learn about Parliaments and key thematic topics.  Click on the CPA website for further information and to register: https://www.cpahq.org/parliamentary-academy/.

Topics include:

CPA Parliamentary Professional Development Certificate (awarded to those that complete all the courses)

  • Induction for New Parliamentarians
  • Legislative Process
  • Scrutiny, Accountability and Oversight
  • Representation, Advocacy and Education

CPA Parliamentary Service Professional Development Certificate (awarded to those that complete all the courses)

  • Basic Principles of Parliamentary Procedure
  • Committee System
  • Administration and Management of Parliaments
  • Building Relationships
  • Strategy, Business Planning and Monitoring and Evaluation

CPA Public Financial Management Certificate (awarded to those that complete the course below)

  • Public Accounts Committee Course

CPA Small Branches: Climate Change Certificate (awarded to those that complete the course below)

  • Parliamentary Action on Climate Change in Small Jurisdictions Course

CPA CPwD Network: Making Parliaments Accessible Certificate (awarded to those that complete the course below)

  • Making Parliaments Accessible Course

You can learn more here: https://www.cpahq.org/parliamentary-academy/

Forthcoming Library Talks

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The programme of Library talks for January to March 2023 is open for booking – the titles will take you to Act, if you wish to book a place.

Please note that you must have a Parliamentary Network account in order to access the links.

TitleDateStartsEnds
The world in 2023: looking ahead to key eventsThursday 19 January 202310:30 AM11:30 AMVirtual via MS Teams
Can I pay less Council Tax?Thursday 26 January 20232:30 PM3:30 PMVirtual via MS Teams
Benefits and the rising cost of livingThursday 02 February 20232:30 PM3:30 PMVirtual via MS Teams
Broadband and mobile services and the cost of livingThursday 09 February 202310:30 AM11:30 AMVirtual via MS Teams
DWP employment support: The Restart Scheme (NAO)Tuesday 21 February 20232:30 PM3:30 PMVirtual via MS Teams
Planning applications – how constituents can get involved (England)Thursday 23 February 20232:30 PM3:30 PMVirtual via MS Teams
Introduction to employment rights in GBThursday 02 March 20232:30 PM3:30 PMVirtual via MS Teams
What have we learned from the 2021 census?Thursday 09 March 20232:30 PM3:30 PMVirtual via MS Teams
Managing NHS backlogs and waiting times in England (NAO)Thursday 16 March 20232:30 PM3:30 PMVirtual via MS Teams
Why are so many people leaving the labour market?Thursday 23 March 202310:30 AM11:30 AMVirtual via MS Teams
Can businesses recruit from overseas to fill labour shortages?Thursday 30 March 202310:30 AM11:30 AMVirtual via MS Teams

Members’ Staff Induction

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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 Members’ Services Team (MST) invites all new Members’ Staff to join us for a 90-minute online Welcome to Parliament induction session on Thursday 12 January 2023 from 10:00 to 11:30,

This session will welcome you to being part of the Parliamentary community and cover essential information from key House services that will help you to settle in and get off to a good start in your new role. 

To book on to this session, please go to https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=3240

If you do not yet have a network account and cannot access that page, please send an email to [email protected]

Helping tenants with damp and mouldy housing (England)

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The House of Commons Library has produced a new guide for MPs and their staff to help them to assist their constituents: ‘A short guide to tenants’ rights when living in damp and mouldy homes and Government action to address this issue.’

You can find the new House of Commons Library guide here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/helping-tenants-with-damp-and-mouldy-housing-england/

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