Author: W4MP Editor

Updated Changes to Members’ staff security vetting

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In May 2024, the House of Commons Commission endorsed a number of changes to vetting policies, including that all Members’ staff funded by IPSA must be security cleared and this will come into force on 1 April 2025.

Please see this news article for further information: https://parlinet.parliament.uk/information-resources/news-newsletters-notices/news/2025/february/changes-to-members-staff-security-vetting/

and also this w4mp guide to security clearance for Members’ staff

https://w4mp.org/jobs-listings-events/jobs/members-staff-security-verification-questionnaire/

ElectHer One-to-One Support

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Elect Her wants to give you the personal space and time you need, to ask us anything about your journey to elected office so we can signpost you directly to resources and opportunities that we and our partners have in place.

Do you have questions you’d like to ask about how to get started, what support the political parties have in place, questions about funding or just a general catch up about where you are and where you’d like to be?

These 1:1 appointments are the perfect place to ask! If we can help we will, and if not we can refer you to other organisations! There is a whole host of support out there and sometimes you just need a nudge to access it.

We are available for 20 minute slots throughout Tuesday 18th February.

For further information please see here: https://www.elect-her.org.uk/events-workshops/ask-her-february-2025

Calling all SEND Teachers! Apply now for the SEND Quiet Day on 23 May at UK Parliament

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Take part in an exciting adventure around Parliament, tailored to your group’s needs, during some of our quietest times.

Who can apply
You can apply if you are a dedicated SEND school, or a SEND specific group and all of your learners have SEND needs.

What happens on the day
Your group will discover the wonders of Parliament through a sensory tour, and learn more about how laws are made. They will also dive into exciting activities in the Education Centre, such as dressing-up or designing their own law.

The Education Centre will try to make the day as flexible as possible and adapt to the students’ pace, working with you to pitch the sessions appropriately to meet your students’ needs, to ensure a memorable and enjoyable day.

About the application process
You can apply from 3 February via a digital form on the Parliament website. This form will be closing on 25 February at 10am. On the application from, you will be able to tell them more about your group and their specific needs, and your preferred time of the day to visit.

How to get help with your travel costs
There is a travel subsidy available for SEND Schools and SEND groups visiting UK Parliament for SEND Quiet Day. You could be eligible to claim 85% of your travel costs back up to £2,400. Read the terms and conditions for eligibility criteria and how to apply.

Apply here: https://learning.parliament.uk/en/session-workshop/send-quiet-day/

Members’ staff Networking Event

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Time: 14:30 – 16:30
Date: Monday 24 February 2025
Location: Attlee Suite, Portcullis House

The Members and Members’ staff Services Team (MMSST) invites all Members’ staff to attend the first All Members’ Staff Networking Event of 2025.

The event is an opportunity for you to connect with fellow Members’ staff and meet colleagues from the services that are here to support you. Light refreshments will be provided. 

Please email MMSST@parliament.uk to register to attend.  

How the Library can help you with casework – Caseworker Discussion Forum

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The guest speakers at the February Caseworker Discussion Forum will be from the House of Commons Library, covering FAQ pages, online resources, requesting information and more.

Time: 14:30 – 15:30
Date: Thursday 13 February 2025
Location: Online via MS Teams
Booking: https://parliament.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=1953

LAST CHANCE TO RESPOND: MPs’ Staff Survey of Well-being 2024-2025

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The Wellness Working Group is excited to once again share with you the now Annual WWG Survey of Staff working for Members of Parliament

You may remember that the Wellness Working Group undertakes this important anonymous survey of MPs staff to better understand the pressures and effects that our jobs have on our wellbeing. We are delighted that Dr Weinberg from Salford University has agreed to run the survey again for us this year.

The survey is completely anonymous and a chance to be able to help us enact change and to help us all obtain better work places and practices. It should only take about 15 minutes to complete.

Please address any queries you may have to the lead researcher Dr Ashley Weinberg, who is an Occupational Psychologist at the University of Salford: a.weinberg@salford.ac.uk

Candidate Clinic

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Elect Her is inviting any women preparing for selection to come to a drop in space, where we can get to know you and support you.

We are offering this as an opportunity so we can understand what you need help and support with.

Whatever it is you need come and join us and our expert team:

Time: 19:00 – 20:15
Date: Monday 3 February 2025
Location: Online

Drop in and ask away!

https://www.elect-her.org.uk/events-workshops/candidateclinicfebeve

Bank of England Briefing Session in Leeds for MPs’ Staff

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The Bank of England would like to invite MPs’ staff based in and around Leeds and the surrounding regions to attend a briefing session on the work of the Bank on Monday 10 March from 10.00-12.00.

For those who would like to attend in person, the session will be held at the Bank’s offices on Greek Street in Leeds.  However, this will be a hybrid session, so MPs’ staff based around the country are welcome to get in touch and attend online. Depending on demand, we will offer further sessions at our offices around the country, including in Glasgow, Belfast, and Cardiff.

Senior Bank staff will deliver a briefing on the Bank’s three main policy areas – monetary policy, financial stability, and prudential regulation – and an introduction to our Leeds office and plans for expansion. There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion of how the Bank’s decisions affect constituents up and down the country. With an interest rate decision on 20 March, this will be an ideal opportunity to ask your questions and learn more about the work of the Bank of England.

If you would like to attend, please email ParliamentaryAffairs@bankofengland.co.uk to book a place in person or request a link to attend online.

Please note this session is for MPs’ staff only. However, we hold regular briefing sessions for MPs to keep them up to date on the Bank’s policymaking. The next session for MPs will be held in Portcullis House on 27 March and Members are welcome to get in touch to book a place.