Guide

Guides for MPs Staff

Westminster Wanderers Football Club

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MONDAY NIGHT MEN’S 8-a-SIDE FOOTBALL MATCH
Westminster Wanderers Flier

Westminster Wanderers Flier

Westminster Wanderers FC are an adult men’s FA standard football club, competing in the Southern Sunday Football League and also organising social football.

We are seeking new players to play our weekly social football match, which has been going for at least 10 years. We play an 8-a-side game at Pimlico Academy every week on a decent sized pitch, getting a good group together each Monday night to enjoy a friendly but competitive match which kicks off at 8.15pm.

We are looking for extra players to join the squad. The expectation is that you will play one or two weeks out of the month, and we operate on the basis that the first 16 who sign up each week get to play. The match lasts for one hour and the fee is £12 to cover our costs. Teams are chosen by the organising group every week, and the invitation to play goes out on Thursday morning for the following Monday.

This is a good game for players who don’t get to play every weekend, for veterans and all those who just want a decent hour of football. We have long-standing Westminster Wanderers playing, as well as students and people who have found out about the game by word-of-mouth. Players include civil servants, researchers, journalists, and people working in public affairs. The matches tend to be quite close and played in a good spirit. The players range from 16 years to over 50 years old and there is an end of year awards.

Pimlico Academy is on Lupus Street, SW1, the nearest tube station is Pimlico, and there is on-street parking and space for bikes.

Please let us know if you want to become part of the squad. Either email us at westminsterwanderers@gmail.com, or link to us at X or LinkedIn.

Wellness Working Group

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The Wellness Working Group is a cross party group of MPs’ staff with the aim of placing a focus on staff welfare and improving support for MPs’ staff well-being. Support mechanisms have tended to focus almost exclusively on Members and House Staff, with MPs’ staff needs often being forgotten or left in the background. The uniqueness of working for an MP cannot be overstated. The Wellness Working Group is firmly of the belief that more needs to be done to recognise the often complex and challenging role of MPs’ staff and the unparalleled challenges they face. Many staff have already shared their experiences and we are keen to hear from as many MPs’ staff as possible, regardless of party colours since the challenges we face are some that only MPs’ staff will be fully able to relate to.

MPs’ staff are increasingly under pressure with intense workloads and are often dealing with very distressed and vulnerable constituents who bring issues that are harrowing and emotionally demanding. The cumulative effect of this type and volume of work can have impacts on our own mental health. This makes it crucial that we have measures in place to cope and be able to look after ourselves. It is only by looking after ourselves that we will be able to continue perform well and to help others. Staff are often overstretched, which in a crisis gets worse. Also, staff are often left with lots of distressing details and nowhere ‘to put’ them. This is not exclusive to caseworkers. Administrators are often the first point of contact in the office by answering the phone or filtering the inbox and researchers and parliamentary assistants can be involved in very harrowing topics for debates. Office managers are often in a difficult place between the Member and the staff team and many find themselves picking up any additional workload the team faces. In addition, they often feel responsible for their team’s well-being, which can be especially difficult given the harrowing nature of the work, whilst perhaps not having the same outlet or well-being support that they are providing to their teams. The Wellness Working Group believes more adequate support needs to be put in place for MPs’ staff well-being. Furthermore, training on mental health ought to be offered so that a greater focus is placed on self-care, allowing staff to be better equipped to cope with demanding and important work.

The increase in the number of campaigns and heated nature of politics means it is common for MPs’ staff to be put in the position of answering aggressive correspondence, directed to their Member as a public figure, and feeling the force of people’s anger. This extends to threats and abuse made to staff who have not signed up to be publicly accountable. So often staff are isolated, whether in small offices in Westminster or in constituency offices all around the country. Now with Covid-19 and home working, we are conscious that staff might feel even more disconnected and overwhelmed with the work they are facing. We understand many staff relied on their workplace for social interaction and support, which has been somewhat lost in many cases, also meaning boundaries between home and work are blurred.

We were pleased that IPSA added £4000 to the MPs’ staffing budget for well-being and training recently. We see this as a starting point in staff welfare being recognised as a concept and see that we have much further to go if staff welfare is to be properly considered. The Wellness Working Group has several aims, which include: developing a well-being policy, establishing peer support networks that could provide a space to share experiences, knowledge and expertise whilst creating more of a sense of community, the provision of better mental health training and having a ring-fenced budget from IPSA so that well-being costs do not have to come from already stretched budgets, to name a few.

We would encourage you to join our Group because it is by supporting one another that we can make a difference. What we have in common as staff is unique. Working for an MP is a job that is often hard to describe to those who have not experienced it. Members of the Group come from all parts of the UK and from all political parties. We understand that the challenges may differ but all are equally valid when people are struggling. So far we have held meetings in Scotland and in London, but we are now holding these meetings virtually. We are trying to avoid the focus being on people reaching crisis point and more on creating something that helps people to avoid that point, or recover quickly if they do.

The Wellness Working Group can be found on ParliNet. or on Sharepoint. If you would like to be involved or have any questions, then please feel free to get in touch: mpsstaff-wwg@parliament.uk

JustUs

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JustUs advocates for people when they’re homeless to access the statutory support they are eligible for.

They currently offer training via Zoom on Homelessness Law aimed at new and experienced front line workers and volunteers as well as managers of services that regularly have contact with homeless people.  The course provides:

  • An awareness and basic understanding of Homelessness Legislation.
  • An understanding of the legal definitions of homelessness, priority need, intentional homelessness and local connection.
  • The information needed to know when a homeless application is appropriate.
  • A practical understanding of how to help someone make a strong application for housing assistance.
  • An awareness of other statutory help relevant to homeless people.

Please see their website for details of how to book: http://www.justus.org.uk/

Coronavirus – useful links

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This page is no longer current and the links probably don’t work. It is left as a record of an historic time.

The current parliamentary guidance on COVID-19 can be found on ParliNet.

Advice about long Covid can be found on the NHS website.

COVID-19

This page is intended to be a list of links to useful sources of information in the United Kingdom about Coronavirus, how to help your constituents and how to work remotely.

Since publishing this page of links, we have been inundated with requests to link to numerous external sites, predominantly in the USA, which, whilst very useful and informative in their own right, are not directly relevant to the work of MPs’ staff in the United Kingdom.  Please note that we are not accepting requests to publish external links but thank you for your interest in our site.

House of Commons Information

An update from the Cabinet Office for Members (2 June 2020)

Cleanliness and hygiene measures on the Estate

Coronavirus Hub

Data protection guidance

Digital guidance (scroll down page)

FAQs for Members

HSE Working Safely guidance and support

IPSA guidance

Member briefing pack

Returning to work guidance (opens in ACT)

Risk assessment (office)

Risk assessment (individual)

Situation in the UK

Template signage

Test and Trace

Wellbeing advice and guidance

Working from home advice (W4MP)

Casework

Data Protection and Coronavirus

House of Commons Library: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/coronavirus/

Immigration and Borders: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-immigration-and-borders

Working Remotely

Log into Office 365 with your Parliamentary credentials for access to all of your usual apps: https://portal.office.com/

Learn how to use Skype for Business for online meetings – factsheet and video

Health and Wellbeing

Your Mind Plan (NHS): https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/your-mind-plan-quiz/

MIND: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing

Anxiety UK: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/coronanxiety-support-resources/

Glide: https://glidegroup.co.uk/remote-working-a-practical-safety-guide-for-businesses#mental

Tax Debt and Mental Health: https://www.riftrefunds.co.uk/tax-rebates/uk-tax-refund-advice/tax-debt-and-mental-health/

Information for the Public

Government Advice for the Public

Coronavirus information homepage: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Time off for Family and Dependants – https://www.gov.uk/time-off-for-dependants

Children’s Commissioner – Coronavirus, children and you.  Advice, information, suggestions, answers and resources to help during the pandemic: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/coronavirus/

Coronavirus Crisis: Guidance on Compliance with Family Court Child Arrangement Orders: https://www.judiciary.uk/announcements/coronavirus-crisis-guidance-on-compliance-with-family-court-child-arrangement-orders/

Employment Issues

ACAS employment advice: Helpline 0300 123 1100 / https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus

Coronavirus support for employees, benefit claimants and businesses: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-support-for-employees-benefit-claimants-and-businesses

Health & Safety Executive: https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/coronavirus.htm

Support for businesses: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

Lay-offs and short-time working: https://www.gov.uk/lay-offs-short-timeworking

Unite the Union: https://unitetheunion.org/campaigns/coronavirus-covid-19-advice/

If Unite members need advice on a COVID-19 related employment law query that is not covered by the information above and your workplace rep is not available, you can call Unite’s dedicated COVID-19 Legal Advice Line on 0333 202 6557.

If members need advice on a COVID-19 related benefits query, information is available from the DWP online here and Unite have set up a dedicated benefits advice line which members can access by calling 0333 202 6563

Unite has launched a helpline and volunteer care service for its vulnerable members during the coronavirus crisis.

All UK-based Unite members can call the helpline number 0330 1072351. The helpline is fully staffed between 08:00 until 19:00 Monday to Friday with an overflow service at other hours. A Unite volunteer will then be assigned to assist anyone who needs help with picking up shopping, posting mail, collecting urgent supplies, such as prescriptions, or simply talking to those who are experiencing loneliness.

Businesses

Coronavirus Business Advice – including business closures, stay at home FAQs, self-employment income support scheme, and more: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support

Claim for wage costs through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – a guide for employers.  includes information relating to people on zero hours contracts: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

Competitions and Markets Authority – report concerns about business practices, including shops raising prices: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/cma-covid-19-response

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme: https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-scheme/

Coronavirus Financial Support: https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-job-retention-scheme/

Federation of Small Businesses: https://www.fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html

HMRC Tax helpline to support businesses affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) – news article: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tax-helpline-to-support-businesses-affected-by-coronavirus-covid-19 leads to helpline: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/coronavirus-covid-19-helpline

Information on support for self-employed individuals: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-gives-support-to-millions-of-self-employed-individuals

Information Commissioner: https://ico.org.uk/global/data-protection-and-coronavirus-information-hub/

Coronavirus: what IPSE (Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed) is doing and advice for freelancers and the self-employed: https://www.ipse.co.uk/ipse-news/news-listing/coronavirus-ipse-activity-and-advice-freelancers.html and IPSA Coronavirus hub: https://www.ipse.co.uk/coronavirus-hub.html

Royal Mail: https://www.royalmail.com/coronavirus?iid=HP_M2_2_CORONAVIRUS

Sage – financial advice for small and medium businesses:- https://www.sage.com/en-gb/coronavirus/

Save a Small Business (Greater Manchester only): https://sasb.today/

TUC: https://www.tuc.org.uk/resource/covid-19-coronavirus-guidance-unions

Benefits

Entitledto – What help is available from benefits if you are affected by coronavirus: https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Coronavirus_help

Turn2Us – Benefits and Coronavirus: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/Benefits-and-Coronavirus-new

Disability Benefits: Claimants on disability benefits will no longer be required to attend face-to-face assessments. The change also covers health checks for Universal Credit.: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/face-to-face-health-assessments-for-benefits-suspended-amid-coronavirus-outbreak

Employment & Support Allowance: https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance

Information on Universal Credit: https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus/

To claim Universal Credit: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit

Education and Childcare

Guidance for schools, childcare providers, colleges and local authorities in England on maintaining educational provision: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Coronavirus (COVID-19): early years and childcare closures: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures

The Open University: Coronavirus – the lowdown – https://www.open.edu/openlearn/health-sports-psychology/public-health/what-coronavirus

Health & Wellbeing

Get coronavirus support as an extremely vulnerable person: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable

NHS advice: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Age UK: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/coronavirus/

Asthma UK: https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/

Autistica: https://www.autistica.org.uk/what-is-autism/coronavirus

Cancer Research: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/coronavirus-and-cancer and https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/sites/default/files/one_cancer_voice_advice_on_coronavirus_for_people_with_cancer.pdf

Childline: 0800 1111 – https://www.childline.org.uk/

Children’s Commissioner: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/coronavirus/

Citizens’ Advice: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you/

Diabetes UK: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus

Guide on Handling Coughs and Colds in the Elderly: https://www.covonia.co.uk/coughs-colds-elderly-guide/

MIND ‘Coronavirus and your wellbeing’: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/ and Coronavirus: supporting yourself and your team: https://www.mind.org.uk/workplace/mental-health-at-work/coronavirus-supporting-yourself-and-your-team/

Working from Home: A Guide to Creating a Healthy and Productive Workspace

Hardship Funds

Coronavirus hardship fund for musicians: https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/news/latest-news/help-musicians-launches-5m-coronavirus-financial-hardship-fu

Travel and Transport Advice

Foreign Office Travel Advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Compare the Market:

Coronavirus guidance on travel insurance: https://www.comparethemarket.com/travel-insurance/content/corona-virus/

Money Saving Expert:

Coronavirus Financial Help & Rights – Sick pay, mortgages, rental help, train refunds, energy top-ups & more: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/03/uk-coronavirus-help-and-your-rights/

Coronavirus Travel Rights – Holiday refunds, travel insurance cover and more: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/02/coronavirus-travel-help-and-your-rights/

Travel advice: coronavirus (COVID-19) – Guidance for British people travelling overseas during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus

MOT Tests: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-mots-for-cars-vans-and-motorcycles-due-from-30-march-2020

The AA: https://www.theaa.com/about-us/coronavirus-covid-19

Arriva Buses: https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/coronavirus/

Diamond Buses: https://www.diamondbuses.com/news/july-2021_latest-coronavirus-guidelines/

Network Rail: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/coronavirus

Northern Rail: https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/coronavirus-travel-information

Stagecoach: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/coronavirus

Transport for Greater Manchester: https://tfgm.com/coronavirus

Energy and Utilities

Compare the Market: Coronavirus guidance on energy: https://www.comparethemarket.com/energy/coronavirus/paying-bills/

British Gas: https://www.britishgas.co.uk/covid19

Ebico: https://ebico.org.uk/ebico-news/coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak-announcement/

E.on: https://www.eonenergy.com/coronavirus-update.html

O2: https://www.o2.co.uk/covid-19

Ofgem – Coronavirus (COVID-19) and your energy supply: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and your energy supply

Helping the energy industry protect customers during coronavirus

Scottish Power: https://www.scottishpower.com/news/pages/covid_19_update.aspx

Shell Energy: https://www.shellenergy.co.uk/service

Three Mobile: http://www.three.co.uk/stay-connected

United Utilities: https://www.unitedutilities.com/Coronavirus-update/

Vodafone: https://www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile/coronavirus-advice

Supermarkets

Aldi: https://www.aldi.co.uk/covid19

Asda: https://corporate.asda.com/20200309/steps-we-have-taken-in-response-to-the-coronavirus-outbreak

Booths: https://www.booths.co.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-statement/

Iceland: https://www.iceland.co.uk/customer-support/help-articles#coronavirus

Lidl: https://www.lidl.com/coronavirus-update

Morrisons: https://groceries.morrisons.com/content/important-update-on-coronavirus-94110

Sainsburys: https://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/feeding-the-nation

Tesco: https://www.tescoplc.com/news/2020/covid-19-a-message-to-our-customers-from-dave-lewis-tesco-ceo/

Waitrose: https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/help-information/customer-service/coronavirus

Community Support

Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK – “a group of volunteers supporting local community groups organising mutual aid throughout the Covid-19 outbreak in the UK. We focus on providing resources and connecting people to their nearest local groups, willing volunteers and those in need.” – https://covidmutualaid.org/

Home Owners, Landlords and Renters

HomeOwners Alliance – Buying and selling a home during the coronavirus lockdown? https://hoa.org.uk/2020/03/buying-home-coronavirus/

Residential Landlords Association – what landlords need to know: https://www.rla.org.uk/campaigns/coronavirus/index.shtml

Complete ban on evictions and additional protection for renters: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/complete-ban-on-evictions-and-additional-protection-for-renters

Banks, Building Societies and Money

Bank of Scotland: https://www.bankofscotland.co.uk/helpcentre/coronavirus.html

Barclays: https://www.barclays.co.uk/coronavirus/

Bradford and Bingley: https://www.bbg.co.uk/personal-support

Co-op Bank: https://www.co-operativebank.co.uk/news/2020/coronavirus-support-personal-customers

Help Musicians Coronavirus Hardship Fund: https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/news/latest-news/help-musicians-launches-5m-coronavirus-financial-hardship-fu

HSBC: https://www.hsbc.co.uk/help/coronavirus/

Lloyds: https://www.lloydsbank.com/help-guidance/coronavirus.html

Money Advice Service: https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en

More Than Insurance: https://www.morethan.com/coronavirus/

Natwest: https://personal.natwest.com/personal/support-centre/coronavirus.html Telephone: 0800 051 4176

PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/uk/smarthelp/article/paypal%E2%80%99s-response-to-the-coronavirus-(covid-19)-pandemic-&-faqs-faq4003?Z3JncnB0=

Royal Bank of Scotland: https://personal.rbs.co.uk/personal/support-centre/coronavirus.html

Santander: https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/coronavirus?icid=php-Hero-Coronavirus-0320

TSB: https://www.tsb.co.uk/coronavirus/

Which?: https://www.which.co.uk/news/coronavirus/

Other Useful Links

Compare the Market: General coronavirus guidance: https://www.comparethemarket.com/coronavirus

RSPCA: https://www.rspca.org.uk/coronavirus

 

 

MP and Staffers’ guide to Mental Health

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The MP and Staffers’ Guide to Mental Health has been updated and is full of useful information on how to support and signpost constituents with mental health needs.  We highly recommend that you read this guide.

Here’s what’s in it:

  • Quick-reference guide
  • An overview of mental health
  • How much help should you give?
  • How to help someone in distress
  • Handling difficult emails and phone calls
  • Signposting and local information
  • Glossary

You can view it on the Rethink Mental Illness website here.

As an aside from those of us at W4MP who have been around for a bit: if you are new to the job you might just be thinking that you are the only one who has ever had to help constituents with mental health problems.  Everyone who has ever worked for an MP, and particularly those based in constituency offices and dealing with casework, tends to be surprised how much of an issue this can be, particularly in your first few weeks.  Hopefully this booklet will help you put things in perspective.  Good luck!

The leaflet is a joint production by:

Wikipedia/Wikidata for new and returning MPs

Wikipedia Home Page
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As soon as the first election results were announced on 12 December, Wikipedians – the volunteers who write and edit Wikipedia – sprang into action, updating Wikipedia’s articles about the election itself, about every individual constituency, and about every single MP.

The volunteers also added data, including for example MPs’ websites, Twitter names and Facebook profiles, to Wikipedia’s younger sister project, Wikidata. That’s a database that provides online, queryable data (linked open data, in technical jargon) that is used to populate Wikipedia articles.

MPs staff are able to update Wikipedia and Wikidata, as long as they follow the guidelines for the sites. If you would like to do this then you may want to refer to our guides

MPs’ Guide to the NHS 2026

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The NHS in England is made up of, and supported by, a number of different kinds of organisations at local and national level.  They have produced a very useful guide to who does what and how NHS services are funded, delivered and regulated for your constituents.

This guide can be found in the casework resources section of Parlinet.

Please note that this guide is not available to members of the public.

Insurance for MPs

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The House of Commons funds and administers a range of insurance policies designed to protect MPs when carrying out their Parliamentary and constituency duties.

These policies include:

  • Employers and Public Liability
  • Personal Accident
  • Travel Insurance
  • Professional Indemnity (including defamation)
  • Employment Practices Liability

The employers and public liability insurance is for constituency offices only, and covers people on work experience as well as employees.  The House of Commons, like the Civil Service, acts as its own insurer therefore no certificate or policy is available.  The insurance policies renew on 1 April every year.  For further information, and to download copies of the insurance policies and certificates, please visit Insurance for Members and Members’ staff.

There is a very comprehensive guide to the insurances on Parlinet.

If a member of the public has an accident at the MP’s constituency office or at an event organised by the MP, please notify MMSST at the earliest possible opportunity.

Contents Insurance for Constituency Offices

The House of Commons does not provide contents insurance for constituency offices.

Parliamentary IT Equipment

All Parliamentary-supplied IT Equipment is covered by the House and you do not need to include this in your office contents insurance.

Vehicle Insurance

Members and their staff are encouraged to check the provisions in their vehicle insurance.  Many policies cover commuting to only one permanent place of work, and so if you are travelling to different locations, such as advice surgeries or constituency visits, you may need to obtain comprehensive and business cover on your insurance.  The cost of vehicle insurance cannot be claimed from IPSA or the House – it is incorporated into the mileage allowance.

Register of Interests

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We have updated our guide to when you need to register an interest. Holders of photo-identity passes as Members’ secretaries or research assistants are required to complete a Registration Form on which they are asked to list certain financial interests they may have.

The updated information is on the  Register of Interests page.