News

News

Join MMSST for Coffee and Chat: Flourish and Nourish

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A celebration of nutrition and wellbeing.
Communications and Administration Network

Food is our fuel, but do we truly understand what nourishes us best? Do you know your food facts? Join us at Flourish and Nourish for a food quiz to test your nutritional knowledge! Your brain, body, and tastebuds will thank you as we explore ways to nourish, flourish and thrive during the colder months.

Agatha Wiseman (our Quiz Master), will be available to talk about the range of wellbeing services available to help you to look after your health and wellbeing as we approach the winter months.

  • Come in person on Thursday 30th Oct 1:30pm – 2:45pm, the Attlee Suite, Portcullis House – Light refreshments will be provided.
  • Come and connect with us virtually on Thursday 6 November, 1:30pm -2:30pm via Teams

Email MMSST@parliament.uk for the link

Ordering wreaths for Armistice Day or Remembrance Sunday

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If you would like to order a wreath for Armistice Day or Remembrance Sunday, you can do so by contacting the Royal British Legion directly: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/ways-to-give/shop/wreaths

They are able to provide a portcullis badge for the centre of the wreath, but you will need to request this at the time you order the wreath, and only ‘Type C’ and ‘Type G’ wreaths can accommodate a central badge.

You have to order by telephone if you want the House of Commons badge because it’s not on the website:  0345 845 1945, and make sure you tell them that you want the green House of Commons badge – emphasis on ‘green’.

You can order wreaths at any time of year but, obviously, they are busiest in October and November, so do try to order in good time. They suggest that orders for Armistice Day should be placed before 24 October.

Parliament Choir – forthcoming events

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The Parliament Choir is formed from politicians and staff from all parties and usually performs three or four concerts a year in various venues in London, and occasionally elsewhere in the UK and abroad.

They have two forthcoming events which may be of interest:

Time: 1930
Date: Wednesday 5 November 2025
Details: Puccini and Bernstein

Time: 1930
Date: Wednesday 3 Dececember 2025
Details: A Westminster Christmas

News from the Commons Library

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The House of Commons returns from conference recess next week! Make sure you’re up to date with everything from the Commons Library so you can hit the ground running.

Visit our website and bookmark Library briefings for Commons debates, which we update regularly with the latest research.

You can also sign up for online events coming later this month designed to support your constituency work.

Join the DWP Disability Services Complaints team in our next caseworker forum meeting on 21 October, for an outline their services and handling constituent correspondence.

Followed by the return of Library Talks on 23 October, starting with a Library expert on everything you need to know about the Child Maintenance Service.

What’s Democracy Worth?

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IPSA regularly consults with the public on how MPs should be paid and funded. In 2025 IPSA wanted to increase its engagement and give the public a chance to say what matters to them when it comes to funding democracy.

At the start of the year IPSA held a series of roundtables with academics and political experts and, in September, worked with an independent, external organisation to convene the first Citizens’ Forum on MPs’ pay and funding.

This ambitious listening exercise has helped to inform the consultation on MP pay and funding for this Parliament and has been guided by one question: What’s Democracy Worth?

Find out what people had to say here: https://www.theipsa.org.uk/whats-democracy-worth

Dr. Bike

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Dr Bike offers you a free bike check and will carry out simple repairs (pay only for parts if required).

Dr Bike can be found in State Officers Court in the House of Lords by Chancellors Gate. These sessions are held on a fortnightly basis on Wednesdays between 8.30-4.30pm.

No bookings are required it is on a first come first served basis and if there is a queue you can leave your bike and collect it before 4pm. Please be prepared to leave a contact number.

These cycle maintenance sessions are run by Bikeworks. If your bike requires more serious repair you will be advised.

Time: 0800-1630
Location: State Officers Court
Dates:

  • 8 October 2025
  • 22 October 2025
  • 5 November 2025
  • 19 November 2025
  • 4 December 2025
  • 17 December 2025

IPSA Consultation: ‘Professionalising the career path for MPs’ staff’

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The IPSA has opened a consultation entitled ‘Professionalising the career path for MPs’ staff’, and is inviting responses from MPs, staff and the general public.

As well as looking at training, it also seeks views on, but not limited to the following:

  • pay band structure
  • job families (One of the proposals is to create an additional leadership level above the three existing job families.)
  • job titles, roles and descriptions
  • default number of working hours per week
  • a proposed ring-fenced staff development budget for training, health and welfare

The consultation closes on 31 October 2025 and can be found here: https://www.theipsa.org.uk/publications/consultations

Leeds Roadshow – Tuesday 4 November – SIGN UP OPEN

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Time: 1000 – 1615
Date: Tuesday 4 November 2025
Location: Leeds city centre

MMSST will be hosting a roadshow event in Yorkshire and the Humber this November.

The event forms part of a wider programme of roadshows taking place across the UK and offers a valuable opportunity to deepen your understanding of the wide range of support and services available to you, while also providing a chance to connect with colleagues from other local offices.

The agenda will include informative presentations from IPSA and the Home Office, as well as updates from House Administration services.

To register to attend email MMSST@parliament.uk and you will be sent an outlook invitation.