MPs’ Staff Survey of Well-being 2026

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CLOSING TODAY!

The Wellness Working Group undertakes an anonymous survey of MPs staff to better understand the pressures and effects that our jobs have on our wellbeing.  We are delighted that Dr Weinberg from Salford University has agreed to run the survey again for us this year.  The survey is completely anonymous and a chance to be able to help us enact change and to help us all obtain better work places and practices.

Please click here to complete the survey.

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The more people who respond to the survey, the greater the representative nature of the results, but please remember you are under no pressure to participate and you may change your mind about taking part.

Parliamentary Working Through Cancer Network

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The new Working Through Cancer Network was featured this week on page 47 of The House magazine. (The House | If you have cancer, Parliament can be a hard place to work – our new network will help change that)

A cross-party group of staffers, is hosting a small, informal launch on Thursday 12 March (drop in 9.30–11am) in the Jubilee Room. It will be a chance for both Members and their staff to hear first-hand experiences and understand what we are hoping to achieve.

1 in 2 of us will be affected by cancer – yet many people in Parliament are still working through it quietly and alone. 

We hope the network will :

  • offer practical support
  • develop resources and information
  • provide a safe, confidential space for anyone in our parliamentary community who is affected, directly or as a loved one’s carer through a buddying system.

Our immediate focus is to:

  • Encourage colleagues to join
  • Help line managers recognise the value of the network
  • Equip supporters to champion it more widely

What we’re asking today is simple:

  • Add the Network’s Launch event to your diary right away!
  • Share this invite with colleagues and WhatsApp groups so people know where to turn before they need it.
  • Come along to support us and find out more…
  • If you can’t attend, let us know that you support the network and would like to hear more.

For more information or to support, please email robertsg@parliament.uk

Question Time for Women’s History Month

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Time: 1400-1445
Date: Wednesday 25 March 2026
Location: Online via YouTube
Cost: Free
Audience: Young people aged 14-18, schools, colleges, home educators
Host: UK Parliament Education and Engagement Team

What is Question Time for Women’s History Month? 

An online engagement event for students aged 14 to 18, to mark Women’s History Month.   

We will be joined by Historian of UK Parliament, Dr Mari Takayanagi, who will share a brief history of women in the House of Lords. Using real parliamentary artefacts, Mari will reflect on the vital contributions that women, past and present, have made to the work of the House.

We will then be joined by The Lord Bishop of Gloucester (Bishop Rachel) and Baroness Boycott.

Both Peers represent groups that are unique to the House of Lords, Bishops and Crossbenchers, and both are also trailblazing women within their professions.

Both will share their experiences by answering your questions!

Find out more, and register to attend here.

The Situation in Iran

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Owing to the current situation in Iran, Members of Parliament may be receiving requests for assistance from constituents.

There is a new section specific to the situation in Iran at the bottom of the hotlines list and we will endeavour to keep it updated.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has asked British nationals to register their presence in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and UAE.

British Nationals who are in Iran should read the advice here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iran

Constituents should also follow the FCDO Facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/ForeignCommonwealthAndDevelopmentOffice

Parliament’s People Awards

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We’re coming up to the announcement of the 2026 Parliament’s People Awards, which recognise the inspirational teams and individuals who have impressed and shown dedication and commitment to supporting a thriving parliamentary democracy.

Anybody working for the House of Commons, House of Lords, the Parliamentary Digital Service, or in a constituency office can nominate a colleague who they believe has gone above and beyond in their work to enable UK democracy, and this year’s shortlist of nominations has now been published.

Here at w4mp we are really pleased to see that our own Karen Lawrinson, the mainstay of this site, maintainer of the hotlist, and all-round wonderful colleague has been shortlisted for the Parliamentary In-House Individual of the Year award, not just for the amazing work she does here but for her many other contributions she makes. As the nomination says, “Karen’s work directly improves the resilience, effectiveness, and cohesion of parliamentary teams, enabling staff across the UK to perform their roles with confidence and efficiency.”