News

News

Changes to Member-sponsored ‘Inside UK Parliament’ tours

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Following decisions from the Administration Committee, Lords Services Committee and House of Commons Commission, two changes to how these tours are booked and delivered will come into effect from 2 January 2026. These changes are intended to provide a simplified, more flexible system for schools and constituents. 

Read about the changes here on Parlinet – Changes to Member-sponsored ‘Inside UK Parliament’ tours

Data protection compliance: AI and other developments

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Time: 1400 – 1500
Date: 28 January 2026
Location: Online

To mark Data Privacy Day, the Information Commissioner’s Office is delivering a webinar for Members and their staff. This is your opportunity to find out more about data protection law, including:

  • How to deal with Subject Access Requests
  • When you can share constituents’ personal data
  • How to use generative AI in a compliant manner

There will also be lots of time to answer any questions you have.

The session will take place on Wednesday 28 January between 2pm and 3pm. You can book your place here.

If you can’t attend, there is advice about how to comply with your data protection obligations on ParliNet, including a link to dedicated e-learning.

Library Talk – The relationship between church and state

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Time: 1400 – 1500
Date: 11 December 2025
Location: Online via Teams
Sign up link: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=8325

The relationship between church and state is a very old feature of the UK constitution but also little understood.

This Library talk will explore the historical foundations of the UK’s two established churches – England and Scotland – how their relationship with ‘the state’ has evolved over time and what the main obligations and benefits are today.

With the recent announcement of a new Archbishop of Canterbury, the talk will also explain the Lords Spiritual and the King’s role in appointing bishops and archbishops, as well as the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. It will also explain the role of Parliament in Church Measures and the status of ecclesiastical law.

House Services Fair – Sign up now open for talks and tours

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This year’s House Services Fair will take place from Tuesday 9 – Wednesday 10 December. The Fair is a fantastic opportunity to find out more about the brilliant work teams from across the House do every day to make Parliament happen.

Get involved 

  • Visit stalls in the Atrium and Customer Hub in Portcullis House from 10am-5pm: explore the wide range of services available to support you in your role. 
  • Attend talks, panel discussions and networking events in the Attlee Suite: hear from expert speakers on a range of interesting topics, take part in discussions, and connect with others. View the full programme of talks and book your place on Act. If you’re unable to attend in person, virtual attendance is available at most sessions. 
  • Experience exclusive ‘behind-the-scenes’ tours of Parliament: visit the Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit, meet the Postmaster for a tour of the Members’ mail sorting office, see the new Parliamentary Contact Centre in action and more! View the full programme of tours and book your place on Act. 

For more information visit ParliNet | Visit the House Service Fair

House Services Fair 2025

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Start: 10:00 on Tuesday 9 December 2025
Finish: 17:00 on Wednesday 10 December 2025
Location: House of Commons

The House Administration is delighted to be bringing back the House Services Fair this year, showcasing the services and support available from the House Administration.

The House Administration is delighted to be bringing back the House Services Fair this year, showcasing the services and support available from the House Administration. 

  • Visit stalls in the Portcullis House Atrium to learn about the wide range of support, services, and facilities available to you. 
  • Take part in a special programme of talks and Q&A sessions
  • Enjoy exclusive tours

Please note there is no booking required to visit the stalls. However, booking will be required for talks and tours. The full programme and information on how to book will be available closer to the event.

The House Services Fair is for Members and Members’ staff of the House of Commons, and colleagues from the House of Commons Administration and Joint Departments.  

For full details, please see here: https://parlinet.parliament.uk/events/2025/december/House_Services_Fair/

New MP Hotline for the DWP

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From 1 December 2025, a dedicated mailbox for MP operational correspondence is being introduced.

A new centralised mailbox has been introduced for MP complaints only, to be used from 1 December 2025. This is to replace the previous email address used for complaints. Please do not disclose the new email address to the public.

Please ensure that you continue to use all other direct contact details such as those shown on the MP hotlines list to contact the appropriate benefit area or office, for example Ministerial Correspondence, Retirement Services, Universal Credit.

Joint Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, Housing Ombudsman and Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman – Complaints Champions Workshop

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Time: 1000 – 1200
Date: 7 January 2026
Location: Online via MS Teams
Booking: https://parliament.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=2573

This is a joint workshop from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, Housing Ombudsman and Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) independently investigates complaints about the NHS, UK government departments, and other public organisations in England.

Constituents often have issues that require the services of more than one Ombudsman, so the PHSO has partnered with the Housing Ombudsman and Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman to offer this workshop. This workshop will explain:

  • What an Ombudsman does
  • How to find the right Ombudsman for your complaint
  • What each of our organisations can and can’t investigate
  • The journey of a complaint at each organisation