New home for the hotlines list

Standard

We wanted to let you know about the new home for the w4mp hotlines list!

We have worked closely with MST to adapt the hotlines list, following feedback on its storage on SharePoint. This version of the w4mp hotlines list returns to you being able to copy and paste information, as well as being able to find information using CTRL+F, so we hope you find it useful! However, please give us any feedback on how you find it, as we are always looking for ways to improve it!

If you didn’t know, the w4mp hotlines list is a great resource for caseworkers who are looking for contact details for different organisations, government departments, companies etc. when supporting their constituents. It not only has helplines that their constituents can use, but also emails and phone numbers that give MPs’ staff a more direct contact link to these organisations, which can make supporting constituents queries a lot easier. It is regularly updated and this new w4mp hotlines list is essentially a live document, so you know that it will always have the latest known contact details. You can see a list of the latest updates here: https://w4mp.org/hotline-numbers-for-mps-meps-msps-ams-and-their-staff/

If you have any questions or feedback, let us know. Otherwise, we hope you like the new home of the w4mp hotlines list!

Please note that the list is available only to people who have parliamentary network accounts. We are not able to share the list with people who are not on the network.

Casework Discussion Forum: Local transport Q&A

Standard

Time: 14:30 – 15:30
Date: 8 May 2025
Location: Online via MS Teams

The Casework Discussion Forum takes place each month via MS Teams.

The topic for May’s forum meeting will be a Local transport Q&A (UK wide). We’ll be joined by Roger Tyers and Mike Benson from the Library’s Business and Transport team, and Iona Stewart from the Library’s Social and General Statistics team.

Book your place on Act.

The forum is complemented by a dedicated Teams chat which enables you to share ideas and best practice, with support being on hand from the Library should specialist knowledge be required.

You do not have to be a caseworker to attend these sessions – they are open to any Members’ staff who handle casework.

New! Information Management Hub

Standard

A new Information Management hub has been launched on ParliNet, bringing together information compliance, management and security guidance into one place. 

Visit the IM hub to find guidance on what you need to do at every stage of managing your information, from when you first create and store information, to when we no longer need to keep information.

Benefits Newscast – May 2025

Standard

In the May Benefits Newscast from The Benefits Training Company, David, Will and Charlotte discuss:

  • Fair repayment rate;
  • PIP beyond State Pension age;
  • What Advanced Customer Support does;
  • Severe Disability Premiums;
  • ADHD & higher rate mobility component of DLA;
  • All migration letters to be sent by September 2025 in Great Britain.

You can listen to the Newscast and a transcript here: https://www.benefitstraining.co.uk/benefits-newscast/

An introduction to the UK Pensions system

Standard

A free seminar from the Pensions Policy Institute, kindly sponsored by Phoenix Group.

Time: 12:00 – 13:00
Date: Tuesday 13 May 2025
Location: Central Hall Westminster, Dinsdale Young Room, Storey’s Gate, London, SW1H 9NH

Pensions are important, but can be very confusing.

We can help with this

The Pensions Policy Institute (PPI) would like to invite you to join us for an introduction to the UK Pensions System. This seminar, which is free to attend and kindly sponsored by Phoenix Group, is open exclusively to all staff working within Parliament who have an interest in pension policy.

There is no getting away from it, the current UK Pensions system can be confusing. This seminar, delivered by the PPI’s Senior Leadership Team, will provide a high-level overview of the current system, and the issues faced by industry, policymakers, and those saving for and in receipt of income in retirement.

Specific topics which will be covered include:

  • The State Pension – historical background and where we are today
  • Automatic enrolment – historical background and where we are today
  • Adequacy
  • Retirement income – comparisons with the rest of the world
  • Private pensions – what is available, where we are today with CDC, industry challenges and the changing landscape
  • The Gender Pensions Gap – differences and explanations
  • Investment – Mansion House, Illiquids, ESG
  • New developments – Dashboards, Small Pots, and Lost Pensions

Why choose this seminar? Our Independence sets us apart: The PPI focuses on the facts. The Knowledge Sharing Seminars will be delivered from the PPI’s independent perspective and will provide you with the facts on the UK Pensions System.

We hope you can join us, and we look forward to unravelling the world of pensions for you!

Please feel free to forward this invite to colleagues within Parliament who may be interested in attending this free seminar.

Click here to book your place

The Pensions Policy Institute: is an educational research institute. Our aim is to improve information and understanding about pensions policy and retirement income provision through research and analysis, discussion, and publication.

Phoenix Group: You may be aware of Phoenix’s customer brand, Standard Life, who together with their other brands make Phoenix one of the UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement business.

Becoming British: how migrants qualify for permanent residence and citizenship

Standard

House of Commons Library Talk

Session outline

People who move to the UK can often make it their permanent home after a while by applying for indefinite leave to remain and then British citizenship. We’ll discuss how this works, how long it normally takes and recent announcements in this area from both the Labour government and Conservative opposition.

Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Date: 8 May 2025
Location: Online
Registration: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?f=3477

Bank of England Briefing Session in Glasgow for Scottish MPs’ Staff

Standard

The Bank of England would like to invite the staff of MPs based in Scotland to attend a briefing session on the work of the Bank on Tuesday 27 May from 11.00-13.00 at a venue in the centre of Glasgow.

Senior Bank staff will deliver a briefing on how the work of the Bank of England affects constituents, with an introduction to our work in Scotland from our Scottish Agency. With an interest rate decision on 8 May, this will be an ideal opportunity to learn more about the work of the Bank and ask your constituents’ questions.

If you would like to attend, please email [email protected] to book a place in person.

We would be grateful if you could share this with any colleagues based in constituency offices in Glasgow and the surrounding area who may be interested in attending.

Please note this session is for staffers only. However, we hold regular briefing sessions for MPs to keep them up to date on the Bank’s policymaking. The next session for MPs will be held in the Bank of England’s London office on 24 April and Members are welcome to get in touch to learn more.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Bank of England. You can learn more about our Agent for Scotland here.

Members’ staff Networking Event for Mental Health Awareness Week

Standard

Time: 14:00 – 16:00
Date: Tuesday 13 May 2025
Location: Jubilee Room

Parliament is proud to support Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW), running from Monday 12th – Sunday 18th May 2025.This year’s theme, set by the Mental Health Foundation, is “Community” and the campaign is an opportunity to raise awareness and support good mental health for all.

As part of a wider programme of events taking place throughout MHAW, the Members and Members’ staff Services Team (MMSST)invites all Members’ staff to join us for two events: an in-person networking event on Tuesday 13 May, drop in between 2 – 4 pm in the Jubilee Room, Palace of Westminster. Light refreshments will be provided.

And a virtual Teams event Thursday 15 May, drop in between 1-2 pm. Bring your own tea/coffee and biscuits or a cheeky slice of cake.  

These events are an opportunity for you to connect with fellow Members’ staff and meet colleagues from the services that are here to support you. 

To register please email [email protected]