News

News

Face Coverings on the Parliamentary Estate

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(as of October 16)

Posters are now in place to strongly encourage all colleagues to wear face coverings when moving around the estate and in areas where social distancing is difficult. Two metre social distancing must continue to be followed wherever possible.

Please be mindful that some people are exempt from wearing face coverings for health or disability reasons.

Before putting on a face covering you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser.

A face covering should:

  • cover your nose and mouth while allowing you to breathe comfortably
  • fit comfortably but securely against the side of the face
  • be secured to the head with ties or ear loops
  • be made of a material that you find to be comfortable and breathable
  • ideally include at least two to three layers of fabric

Face coverings continue to be provided from Hall Keepers lodge in the Palace and the 1st floor reception in Portcullis House.

Free online talks and tours of Parliament

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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/

As it’s not possible to have physical tours of Parliament at the moment, why not book a free online talk or tour?

Topics range from the historic furniture collection, to how Parliament works, to the Gunpowder Plot.

 

Virtual IT Coaching Sessions for MPs’ Staff

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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/

PDS are offering virtual IT coaching sessions to MPs’ staff

 

PDS local engagement officers would normally travel to visit constituencies to assist MPs and their staff with training and general IT concerns but during the Covid 19 crisis their focus has changed to offer this support remotely. 

 

You can now book a remote coaching session on a variety subjects including: Cyber Security, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive and OneNote. Sessions are open to all, you can book for your team or take advantage of a 1-2-1 coaching session. Sessions last 45 minutes and are delivered at your own pace, no previous technical knowledge is required. 

 

To find out more and book a session click here:

Please wear your mask!

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It’s absolutely vital that everyone who is able to do so, should wear a mark whilst in communal or shared areas of the Parliamentary estate, such as the Portcullis House atrium.

Those who can work remotely should continue to do so.

For full guidance, please visit the Coronavirus Hub (now gone)

The Fortnight – Issue 15 out now

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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/

Issue 15 of The Fortnight has been published on the intranet

The Fortnight keeps you informed of service changes, key contacts and activity on the estate that will affect MPs, their staff and about Administration Committee decisions on services we all use.

In this issue:

  • Book in for a flu jab
  • Changes to calling on MS Teams
  • MS Teams help pages launched
  • Members’ guide to Westminster Hall proceedings
  • New online maintenance helpdesk launches
  • Virtual Mental Health Festival 2020

Has your Member completed the Members’ Customer Satisfaction Survey yet?

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Has your Member completed the Members’ Customer Satisfaction Survey yet?

The annual survey is currently live and Members will have received an email with a link to the survey.

It’s really important that Members give their feedback on the House of Commons services, as this information is used to identify where things are going well, and where we need to improve. The results are summarised so the responses are strictly confidential.

If your Member hasn’t yet returned it, please encourage them to do so as soon as possible.

Security forms – technical issues with electronic PDFs

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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/

PSD are aware of some technical issues with the electronic PDF forms, which are being looked at as a matter of urgency.

In the meantime, please see this guidance on the intranet for details and workarounds:

Balfour Project Peace Advocacy Fellowship 2020-21

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The Balfour Project seeks an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on justice and equal rights. Acknowledging Britain’s continuing historical responsibilities, it works through popular education and advocacy to persuade the British Government to recognise the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel and uphold equal rights.

Following a successful pilot last academic year, they have announced the Peace Advocacy Fellowship scheme for 2020-21, offering  ten scholarships for postgraduate students or final year undergraduates in the UK (each fellow receives a bursary of £700).

The fellowship provides knowledge and skills based workshops on a variety of topics, which are necessary for peace advocates. Each fellow will work on a research/advocacy project according to his/her interests and the organisation needs.

You can watch the Balfour Project Peace Advocacy Fellowship video, and enter the Call for Applicants via their website at https://balfourproject.org/APPLY

Applications are open  between 7 September and 9 October. Some interviews may be held between 14-18 September, with others to follow after 9 October. The fellows will be appointed on 16 October.

Workshops will take place throughout the academic year in coordination with the fellows.

Making the Parliamentary estate a COVID-19 secure workplace

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The House of Commons has produced a briefing for Members about the changes made to ensure that the parliamentary estate is a COVID-19 secure workplace.

Any staff who can work remotely should continue to do so, rather than returning to the estate,
or their constituency offices.

You can view the briefing (no longer active)

For more information, contact [email protected] (no longer active)

MP Staff: NFU photo competition – Win a Great British Food hamper

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The NFU are running a ‘love your countryside’ photo competition for parliamentary staffers where the winner will receive a Great British Food Hamper, which includes a bottle of English wine, a selection of cheeses, pies, truffles and fudge; the runner-up will also receive a hamper of delectable British goodies.

To enter, please send the following to [email protected] using your parliamentary email address:

  •  A picture you have taken whilst exploring your local countryside;
  •  A short caption describing what the countryside means to you (no more than 100 words);
  • Your name;
  • The place you took the photo;
  • The name of the MP you work for.

Entries close at 5pm on Friday 28th August. The winners will be announced on Tuesday 1st September.

Regardless of whether you’re based in the big smoke or the sticks, there’s fantastic places on your doorstep to get out and visit.  For those of you who are based in London, this might be the excuse you needed to explore the beautiful sights of Bushy Park, the Walthamstow Marshes or the WWT London Wetland Centre- if you require any further inspiration, please do reach out.

We look forward to receiving your entries and hope you enjoy exploring your local beauty spots.

Should you have any questions regarding the competition, or concerns relating to food and farming, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Click here for terms and conditions.