Are you a runner? How do you fancy having a go at the Three Bridges Race in your lunchtime? The monthly Three Bridges Race from Westminster Bridge to Vauxhall Bridge, via Lambeth Bridge (the Three Bridges) has been going for nearly fifty years. It’s 2.3 miles, starting at 12.30pm on a Wednesday (ok, not great…

What: Talk Money Week parliamentary-drop in for MPs and staffWhen: Tuesday, 5 November, any time between 11am and 1pmWhere: Room R, Portcullis HouseWho: Meet representatives from the Money and Pensions Services’ debt advice, pensions, and national partnerships teams Why attend? MaPS is an arms length body, sponsored by the DWP, responsible for the delivery of free and…

There are two “How to be a Select Committee Member” events taking place this week. If your Member has recently been elected to a Select Committee, they are strongly encouraged to attend.  Wednesday 23 October 2024, 10am – 10.50am (Macmillan Room, Portcullis House).  Tuesday 29 October 2024, 10 – 10.50am (Macmillan Room, Portcullis House). The…

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…

One question we are asked frequently is where can people download lists of contact details for MPs and Peers. There is a publicly-available list of MPs and their basic contact details on the UK Parliament website here: https://www.parliament.uk/site-information/freedom-of-information/information-we-already-publish/house-of-commons-publication-scheme/members-and-members-staff/parliamentary-contact-details-for-mps/ This list is updated every three months. It is also possible to view and download up-to-date comprehensive…

Are you going to be supporting a Member serving on a select committee? Or, do you simply want to understand more about how select committees work? The Select Committee Team is offering training for Members’ staff on ‘how to support your Member with select committee work’. This is a virtual event, which will be held…

This training session will be delivered by Protect, a UK independent whistleblowing charity and legal advice centre. Members of Parliament are designated in the law as people to whom whistleblowers can disclose information about wrongdoing, risks and malpractice. This training aims to help MPs and their staff who may receive concerns understand their role in…

The Benefits Training Company produces a monthly newscast which features three of their benefits experts discussing the latest benefits news stories including changes to legislation, DWP announcements, relevant case law and guidance. There are links to the sources of the items discussed, and some that aren’t discussed if they think they might help. In this…

Time: 14:30 – 15:30Date: Tuesday 8 October 2024Location: Virtual via Microsoft Teams The October 2024 forum will be a Q&A on access to cash and banking – what the public can expect from banks and regulators in maintaining access to cash services. We will be joined by Abbas Panjwani from the Library’s Business & Transport…

MPs often need to use the services of an interpreter or translator when working with constituents whose first language is not English, or maybe require a British Sign Language interpreter. You can find some information on such services here: https://w4mp.org/w4mp-guides/your-office/interpreters-and-translation-services/

PolicyMogul is hosting two webinars to introduce parliamentary users to its platform. You can learn more about it, and sign up for the webinars here: https://about.policymogul.com/parliament/ Sessions, including a Q&A will take place on: You can read a bit more about PolicyMogul here: https://w4mp.org/w4mp-guides/researcher-extraordinaire/policymogul-a-free-political-monitoring-and-research-platform/

The MPs’ Guide to Procedure has been updated and hard copies are now available from the Vote Office. You can find an online version here: https://guidetoprocedure.parliament.uk/mps-guide-to-procedure Where’s the Vote Office? It has four outlets: Main Vote Office (lower ground floor, Palace), Members’ Lobby, Portcullis House and Parliament Street. See their intranet page for full details…

Two new dates for Caseworker Software Training have become available to sign-up to on ACT (3 and 10 October). Please note, these sessions are for staff of newly elected Members only at this time. Sessions for staff of returned Members will be organised in due course. Sign-up via the link: Course: Caseworker Software Training for MPs’…

Nominations are officially open for The House magazine’s Women in Westminster: The 100, the renowned initiative celebrating the remarkable contributions of women in public life. This annual recognition honours the achievements of women across various sectors, including parliamentarians, civil servants, journalists, activists, think tankers and public affairs professionals. Now in its sixth year, the campaign, supported by…

From 10am today (18 September) you can apply for a free school visit to UK Parliament in Spring Term. Applications will be via a digital form available on the Parliament Education website until 23 September at 4pm. Get ready:   Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to high demand, an automated queuing system will…

Looking for a list of Parliamentary Private Secretaries? You can find it here, dated September 2024: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66d6c04f701781e1b341db54/2024-08-20_-_HMG_Parliamentary_Private_Secretaries.pdf

An update from the Director of Members’ Staff Engagement The Director of Members’ Staff Engagement has provided an update on progress made against the recommendations in the report, which you can find on the intranet here: https://parlinet.parliament.uk/information-resources/news-newsletters-notices/news/2024/september/an-update-from-jo-willows-on-the-wellness-working-group-survey-for-members-staff/ There is also an update on the Speaker’s Conference report on the employment conditions of Members’ staff.

The National Autistic Society has kindly provided a guide to running Autism-Friendly Advice Surgeries. You can find this guide on the MMSST Casework hub here: https://hopuk.sharepoint.com/sites/hct-mstinfo/SitePages/Caseworker-Hub.aspx

Whether you are new to the House of Commons, or have been here for years, it’s always helpful to know your way around. The Guide to the House Administration will tell you all about the running of the house and where to find information, from security, to where to get furniture, to booking rooms, you…

All MPs are issued with an SOS device, but they are also available for all IPSA-funded staff of MPs. The cost of these devices is funded by the Security team It is recommended that Members and their staff carry a lone worker/SOS device, which has the ability to summon assistance in the event of an…

Time: 10:30 – 11:30Date: Thursday 12 September 2024Location: Virtual via Microsoft Teams The September 2024 forum will be a Q&A on prisons issues. It will be led by Jacqui Beard from the Library’s Home Affairs Section. To book, please go here: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/signup.php?s=16700

As the Parliamentary recesss comes to an end (before the usual adjournment for party conferences) the Hansard Society’s Parliament Matters Bulletin has a comprehensive run through the business planned for this week.You can read it on their website, or suscribe to their weekly email.

As part of their ‘Good Lobbying’ campaign, the CIPR and PolicyMogul have written to all MPs with updated guidance on professional lobbying. The campaign aims to promote the importance of ethical lobbying in the UK by changing legislation to increase transparency and rebuild trust in politics. To further this effort, the CIPR and PolicyMogul are hosting an event in Parliament on Wednesday…

If you’re an MP’s staff member with responsibility for casework, you may be interested in joining the online Caseworker Form, organised by the Members’ and Members’ Staff Services Team. To join, please email [email protected] from your parliamentary email account, giving the details of who you work for, and they will add you. Each month, there…

Did you know that you don’t need to wait for your electoral roll to be uploaded in order to start using the software? You can add new cases manually, so you can get started straight away. Their current turnaround for the electoral roll to be added is within 24 – 48 hours but if anyone…

The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology is a valuable resource for MPs and researchers. Their website describes the work they do as follows: What we do The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) is a research and knowledge exchange service based in the UK Parliament. It works to ensure that the best available…

A Mini Masterclass for Members of Parliament From the University of St. Andrews: We understand that for many MPs, and special advisors, there is a huge demand on your time and, no matter your own pre-existing expertise, a need to quickly obtain even more knowledge in multiple areas. We can help with one aspect of…

Have you moved offices? If you have an SOS Device (Lone Worker Device) and have moved from working for one MP to another MP, please make sure that you contact [email protected] to update your details with them.

After life as a Parliamentary Researcher, what’s next on the career ladder? For many, the natural next step is into the world of public affairs, perhaps for an agency or an in-house team. When it comes to job interviews, potential employers will be looking for someone who not only knows parliamentary procedure, but how to…

Time: 18:00Date: Monday 9 September 2024Location: Bellamy’s Café BGIPU will be hosting the Annual Charity Quiz on Monday 9th September in Bellamy’s café from 1800. This is open to all members and parliamentary staff, teams are up to 6 people, but individuals can also attend. Entrance is £5pp going to charity, there will be prizes…

All new office managers are strongly advised to book in on an induction session. Time: 13:00 – 16:00Date: Thursday 8 August 2024Location: Online via Teams Time: 13:00 – 16:00Date: Tuesday 20 August 2024Location: Parliament, in person Time: 13:00 – 16:00Date: Thursday 5 September 2024Location: Online via Teams Time: 13:00 – 16:00Date: Tuesday 17 September 2024Location:…

Ref: 2980 Large room available in Walthamstow house, with access to own bathroom. Sharing house with one other female. Available from September to end of December. £1000 per month including bills. Contact c/o [email protected]

The BBC has reported claims that corporate clients of Health Assured, the provider of the staff Employee Assistance Programme, listened in to confidential helpline calls without the knowledge or permission of callers. You can read the House response to this on ParliNet, with contact details for those who need further advice or guidance.

Do you know anyone aged between 14 and 18 who is interested in the work of Parliament? The Learning and Careers team have partnered with one of the UK’s leading providers for online work experience, Springpod, to run a 3 month on demand virtual work experience programme. The programme is now live until the 6th…

Between June 2023 to June 2024 a cross-party group of civic technologists worked together to create the MP Office Manual. They are all keen to see MPs with well run offices contributing to a flourishing democracy in the UK. You can read it at mpofficemanual.uk The proposals in the manual come from in-depth interviews with…

A fascinating blog post from Democracy Club where they have analysed their data on the 4,515 parliamentary candidates standing for election on July 4. Read the full details on their website, but some highlights include And, crucially, the preferred biscuit of general election candidates is the Digestive, closely followed by Hobnobs. There is a 52/48%…

Time: 10:30 – 11:30Date: Thursday 13 June 2024Location: Virtual via Microsoft Teams The June 2024 forum will be on the topic of NHS organisations and their inter-relationships. It will be led by Tom Powell from the Library’s Social Policy Section. Please go here to book: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/signup.php?s=16699

We’ve spotted a useful article on LinkedIn by Laura Dunn, which talks about what MPs or staff who are leaving Parliament should do to tidy up their digital profiles and prepare for what comes next. You can read the whole thing on LinkedIn here but highlights include

PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF TIME AND DATE Time: 14:00 – 15:00Date: Wednesday 22 May 2024 The May 2024 forum will be on the topic of Help with childcare costs. It will be led by David Foster and Niamh Foley from the Library’s Social Policy Section. To book, please go here: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/signup.php?s=16684

PolicyMogul is putting on three webinars for parliamentary users: This online webinar is your chance to learn about the value that PolicyMogul provides for MPs, peers, PPCs and parliamentary staff. As well as an overview of the platform’s features, we will highlight some best practices related to getting the most out of the platform. Session…

To what extent are offices leveraging modern tools to do their work? Does technology have a significant effect on what they can get done? And how much does this vary between one office and another? Are you working in an MP’s office? If so, we need your help to understand how technology could be used…

We’ve received a press release from the Antisemitism Policy Trust about their guide on conspiracy theories. You can read the guide on their website. It has been written with expert groups including the Antisemitism Policy Trust, Full Fact, Tell MAMA [The charity working to combat anti-Muslim hate], the Institute for Strategic Dialogue and The Global…

Updated dissolution guidance has been published by both the House of Commons and IPSA. For further information and links, please see our page on dissolution here: https://w4mp.org/w4mp-guides/general-elections/dissolution-guidance/

Members’ offices are offered an opportunity to join an in-person briefing in Bristol with representatives of relevant services from across the House Administration and IPSA to find out more about the Dissolution Guidance and ask any questions they may have.  To register to attend, please email [email protected]

The Vote Office’s Publications Enquiries Team has launched a new weekly bulletin summarising all reports and papers published and available in the Vote Office. Paper Trail features links to the week’s bills, government papers, select committee and NAO reports. Paper Trail is available on ParliNET as well as in hard copy from the Vote Office…

If your office receives a ‘copyright infringement notice’, please inform Tara Cullen in the Members’ and Members’ Staff Services Team immediately, and do not respond to the notice until you have discussed it with her. MMSST is aware that there are also some scams going around at the moment, and it’s important to get them checked out.…

All MPs are covered by employers’ liability insurance and a copy of the certificate should be printed and displayed in your office.  The insurance renews on 1 April every year. You can find more information here: https://w4mp.org/w4mp-guides/your-office/insurance-for-mps/

A new series of podcasts has been launched, featuring Members’ staff and Teams across the House of Commons discussing different issues that affect Members’ Offices. To find out more, please see here: https://parliament.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=2184

During the Easter recess, the Official Report (Hansard) is offering Members’ staff an opportunity to learn how parliamentary proceedings are edited in the Official Report Spend an hour and a half with us and find out: We finish with a tour of the Hansard offices and the Press Gallery. We will be holding sessions on…

It’s that time of year, when IPSA Proxies lock themselves in their offices, set their phones to ‘do not disturb’ and bury their heads in spreadsheets. Yes, it’s year end! But don’t worry, IPSA has made things much simpler and, assuming you’ve been reasonably well-organised, sorting out your year-end documentation shouldn’t be too stressful. Don’t…