All MPs are issued with an SOS device, but they are also available for all IPSA-funded staff of MPs. The cost of these devices is funded by the Security team
It is recommended that Members and their staff carry a lone worker/SOS device, which has the ability to summon assistance in the event of an incident or a problem.
For full details, please see this intranet page:
Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Date: Thursday 12 September 2024
Location: Virtual via Microsoft Teams
The September 2024 forum will be a Q&A on prisons issues. It will be led by Jacqui Beard from the Library’s Home Affairs Section.
To book, please go here: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/signup.php?s=16700
As part of their ‘Good Lobbying’ campaign, the CIPR and PolicyMogul have written to all MPs with updated guidance on professional lobbying.
The campaign aims to promote the importance of ethical lobbying in the UK by changing legislation to increase transparency and rebuild trust in politics.
To further this effort, the CIPR and PolicyMogul are hosting an event in Parliament on Wednesday 4 September 2024 on how to be lobbied and have invited all MPs, Lords, and their staff to attend.
For further information please see this update from PolicyMogul.
If you’re an MP’s staff member with responsibility for casework, you may be interested in joining the online Caseworker Form, organised by the Members’ and Members’ Staff Services Team. To join, please email [email protected] from your parliamentary email account, giving the details of who you work for, and they will add you.
Each month, there is a Caseworker Forum Q&A session led by the House of Commons Library, which discusses topics of interest to MPs’ staff. To view the upcoming schedule and sign up for the sessions, please see here: https://parliament.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=1953
Did you know that you don’t need to wait for your electoral roll to be uploaded in order to start using the software? You can add new cases manually, so you can get started straight away.
Their current turnaround for the electoral roll to be added is within 24 – 48 hours but if anyone is having any issues then do get in touch with them: [email protected]
The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology is a valuable resource for MPs and researchers.
Their website describes the work they do as follows:
What we do
The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) is a research and knowledge exchange service based in the UK Parliament. It works to ensure that the best available research evidence and information is brought to bear on the legislative process and scrutiny of Government. It primarily supports the select committees of both Houses.
POST:
Latest briefings include: automated vehicles; reducing plastic waste; What is the metaverse and what impacts will it have for society; food waste; Health impacts of ultra-processed foods; and Mental Health Act reform – impacts on autistic people and people with a learning disability.
To find out more about POST and to access it’s research briefings, please go to its website:
A Mini Masterclass for Members of Parliament
From the University of St. Andrews:
We understand that for many MPs, and special advisors, there is a huge demand on your time and, no matter your own pre-existing expertise, a need to quickly obtain even more knowledge in multiple areas.
We can help with one aspect of this. At the University we have a commitment to public engagement and service. We invite you to a free, one hour seminar designed to equip MPs and/or their staff on the most important aspects of evidence based medicine. This will cover:
This will be online. Members of staff are welcome.
Conversations with previously elected representatives suggest this information would have been useful, however if you wish other areas covered we would be happy to discuss, including if an in-person seminar is preferred or these times are not suitable.
We have expertise in public health, early diagnosis, screening and risk communication. Dr McCartney is an academic at the School of Medicine and also writes and broadcasts about evidence based medicine, and Professor Donnelly is Director of the Mackenzie Institute for Early Diagnosis.
We are offering this seminar to all MPs and advisors at:
To register, please email Dr. Margaret McCartney with your details.
Have you moved offices?
If you have an SOS Device (Lone Worker Device) and have moved from working for one MP to another MP, please make sure that you contact [email protected] to update your details with them.
Time: 18:00
Date: Monday 9 September 2024
Location: Bellamy’s Café
BGIPU will be hosting the Annual Charity Quiz on Monday 9th September in Bellamy’s café from 1800.
This is open to all members and parliamentary staff, teams are up to 6 people, but individuals can also attend.
Entrance is £5pp going to charity, there will be prizes for the winners and drinks and snacks provided.
People wishing to attend should contact Rhiannon Edwards at [email protected]
All new office managers are strongly advised to book in on an induction session.
Time: 13:00 – 16:00
Date: Thursday 8 August 2024
Location: Online via Teams
Time: 13:00 – 16:00
Date: Tuesday 20 August 2024
Location: Parliament, in person
Time: 13:00 – 16:00
Date: Thursday 5 September 2024
Location: Online via Teams
Time: 13:00 – 16:00
Date: Tuesday 17 September 2024
Location: Parliament, In Person
The session will include:
By the end of the session you will:
To sign up for the course, please go to https://parliament.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=2241 or, if you don’t have a network account yet, please email [email protected]