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The Great Parliamentary Get Together

All MPs, Peers and staff welcome Time: 13:00 – 15:00Date: Wednesday 21 June 2023Location: Jubilee Room, Westminster Hall

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Caseworker Discussion Forum – Asylum & Immigration Q&A

Time: 14:30Date: Thursday 23 March 2023Location: Online via MS Teams The Library, in conjunction with the Members’ Services Team, is pleased to invite you to the Casework Discussion Forum which will take place virtually each month. With CJ McKinney and Melanie Gower from the Library’s Home Affairs Section. The forum will be complemented by a…

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The price of postage stamps will rise on 3 April 2023

The prices of Royal Mail postage stamps will rise on 3 April 2023 A first-class stamp for a standard letter will rise from 95p to £1.10 A second-class stamp for a standard letter will rise from 68p to 75p The new Guide to Prices can be found here: https://www.royalmail.com/sites/royalmail.com/files/2023-03/royal-mail-our-prices-april-2023-ta.pdf

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New Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules

The Code of Conduct describes the responsibilities that MPs have as Members of the House and are based on a set of principles.  The new Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules relating to the conduct ofMembers took effect from 1 March 2023. You can see a copy of the letter from the Parliamentary Commissioner for…

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General Election planning at Parliament: What does it take?

Time: 12:00 – 13:00Date: Thursday 16 March 2023Location: Online via Teams Ahead of the next general election planning is under way, including to support new and departing MPs. Come along to this online event you will hear more about what it takes and can ask questions to some of the key people involved. For further…

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Introduction to PolicyMogul – webinar

Webinar for parliamentary teams Date: Wednesday, 8 March 2023Time: 2.00pm – 2.45pmVenue: Online This online webinar is your chance to learn about the value that PolicyMogul provides for parliamentarians and their 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…

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Financial Wellbeing – a talk by the Money and Pension service (MaPS)

Financial Wellbeing: a talk by Victoria Copeland, Regional Partnerships Manager, Money and Pension service (MaPS) Time: 14:30 – 15:30Date: Thursday 16 March 2023Location: Online via Teams The Money and Pension Service is working to improve financial outcomes for everyone living and working in the UK. Through our MoneyHelper service we offer free impartial information guidance…

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All MPs’ Staff Q&A Session: Home Office Update

Time: 14:00 – 15:00Date: Tuesday 7 March 2023Location: Online The MST is pleased to be joined by Katie Shooter from the Home Office who will provide an update. This will be a question and answer session and we would request that you submit questions in advance by emailing MST@parliament.uk. Time permitting, we will open the…

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Improving accessibility on ParliamentLive.tv

Live subtitles, closed captions and British Sign Language. When watching parliamentlive.tv, you can now view live subtitles or closed captions for both the Commons and Lords Chambers. Users can select subtitles or closed captions on the parliamentlive.tv video player by clicking on the ‘subtitles’ button. The subtitles will also be embedded in the broadcasting feed…

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Health Kiosk in Richmond House

A Health Kiosk has been installed in the ground floor Richmond House Community Hub. It’s available to use 24/7, at a time that is most convenient to you and is available for all passholders to use. What is it? Have a look at this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhNgBqBGBTU For further information on the Health Kiosk, please…

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Make the Most of the Commons Library

Join the Library Team for a short session to learn how the Library can support your work. These sessions are ideal for those who have recently started working for a Member or if you simply want a refresher in how to use Library resources. The resources they cover will help you in your policy, research…

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Useful new guides from the Commons Library

The House of Commons Library website contains a wealth of information which is of use not only to Members of Parliament and their staff, but are also accessible by members of the public. The latest guides to be published are: You can find more constituency casework guides here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/constituency-casework/

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Members Staff Induction

Welcome to Parliament. The new joiner induction sessions are now available to book via the ACT portal if you have a new joiner in your office, please share with them. Time: 10:00 – 11:30Date: Thursday 9 March 2023Location: Online via MS TeamsBooking: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=3240 Time: 10:00 – 11:30Date: Tuesday 4 April 2023Location: Online via MS TeamsBooking:…

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Plan your accommodation ahead for the Coronation of HM King Charles III & Key Dates for 2023

The Parliamentary Travel Office is preparing for the key global events throughout Spring and Summer, which will impact hotel rates and limit availability: Hotel accommodation will be highly sought after for several nights prior to, and after these events and is likely to be in short supply. If your MP is planning to attend the…

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Casework Discussion Forum – Welfare benefits Q&A

Time: 14:30 – 15:30Date: Wednesday 22 February 2023Location: Online The Library, in conjunction with the Members’ Services Team, is pleased to invite you to the Casework Discussion Forum which will take place virtually each month. Welfare benefits Q&AWith Steven Kennedy, Frank Hobson and Andrew Mackley from the Library’s Social Policy Section. Booking required: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=5177

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Briefing note for Members’ Office Managers from the Cybersecurity Team 8/2/23

Please note that you will need to have a Parliamentary Network Account in order to access some of the links on this page. Last week the Speakers of both houses sent notices to members regarding spear-phishing attempts. You may have seen in the news today that MP Stewart McDonald has been subject to a cyber…

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Vote Office: Training for Members’ Staff

Members’ staff are invited to learn more about the Vote Office and the services it offers to support their work. Introduction to the Vote Office Time: 11:30 – 12:15Date: Monday 30 January 2023Location: Virtual, MS TeamsBooking: contact x3631, vote_office@parliament.uk This virtual session will provide an introduction of how the Vote Office helps Members’ offices to navigate…

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NEW HMRC GUIDES FOR MPS AND STAFF

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs have updated their very helpful booklets, explaining how they can help you to help your constituents. The two booklets are: If you would like a copy of the updated versions, please email us letting us know which version(s) you require*. * Please note that we are able to send these documents only…

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Publishing Pictures and Avoiding Rights Issues

It’s very easy to find pictures on the Internet and copy them to use on your own website. However, in doing so, you could easily be infringing copyright, and the owner might seek compensation. Paul Clarke has written a useful guide especially for w4mp on publishing pictures and avoiding rights issues, which you can find…

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Financial Year-End Guidance

It’s that time of year again, when Office Managers/Proxies start their financial year-end process. If this is your first time doing the year-end submission, don’t panic – it’s really not as scary as it sounds. The staff at IPSA are really helpful and will guide you through it, and they’ve published some useful information here:…

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Casework Discussion Forum – Wellbeing – looking after yourself and others

Time: 10:30 – 11:30Date: Thursday 26 January 2023Location: Online The Library, in conjunction with the Members’ Services Team, is pleased to invite you to the Casework Discussion Forum which will take place virtually each month. Wellbeing – looking after yourself and othersLed by the Member Services Team. Booking required: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=5177

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Members’ Staff Induction

The Members’ Services Team (MST) invites all new Members’ Staff to join us for a 90-minute online Welcome to Parliament induction session on Tuesday 7 February 2023 from 10:00 to 11:30, This session will welcome you to being part of the Parliamentary community and cover essential information from key House services that will help you to settle…

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Parliament’s People Awards

Parliament’s People Awards recognise the inspirational teams and individuals who have impressed and shown dedication and commitment to supporting a thriving parliamentary democracy. All MPs and Peers, their staff, in parliamentary or constituency offices, or those employed by the House of Commons, House of Lords or the Parliamentary Digital Service can nominate a colleague. Nominations…

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Domestic Abuse Awareness

All MP’s Staff Q&A Session Time: 10:00 – 11:00Date: Thursday 2 February 2023Location: Online via MS TeamsBooking: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=5505 We are delighted to welcome Natasha Saunders who will be joining us for our February All Staff Q&A Session. Natasha is a law changer, conversation starter and motivational speaker but it hasn’t always been that way. After…

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Internet access in Parliament – 16 January

The earlier issue with Internet access in Parliament has now been resolved. Please reboot your machine. If you are still having difficulties after rebooting your machine, please contact PDS.

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Forthcoming Library Talks

The programme of Library talks for January to March 2023 is open for booking – the titles will take you to Act, if you wish to book a place. Please note that you must have a Parliamentary Network account in order to access the links. Title Date Starts Ends The world in 2023: looking ahead…

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Members’ Staff Induction

The Members’ Services Team (MST) invites all new Members’ Staff to join us for a 90-minute online Welcome to Parliament induction session on Thursday 12 January 2023 from 10:00 to 11:30, This session will welcome you to being part of the Parliamentary community and cover essential information from key House services that will help you to settle…

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Helping tenants with damp and mouldy housing (England)

The House of Commons Library has produced a new guide for MPs and their staff to help them to assist their constituents: ‘A short guide to tenants’ rights when living in damp and mouldy homes and Government action to address this issue.’ You can find the new House of Commons Library guide here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/helping-tenants-with-damp-and-mouldy-housing-england/

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Constituency casework: help with energy bills for businesses, voluntary sector and public sector organisations

The House of Commons Library has produced a briefing on help with energy bills for businesses, voluntary sector and public sector organisations. This briefing provides information on support with energy bills for non-domestic customers, including businesses, public sector organisations and charities. It covers help with rising energy prices, and support to install energy-saving measures and…

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Grantfinder Demonstration – 13 December 2022

Grantfinder gives access to a flexibly searchable and continuously updated database of UK and European Union (EU) funding sources, including grants, loans and advisory schemes. It enables you to set up alerts for new sources of funding in the areas most relevant.  This hour-long session is for those who need a full introduction to what Grantfinder…

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Casework Discussion Forum – Continuing Healthcare Q&A

Time: 14:00 – 15:00Date: Wednesday 14 December 2022Location: Online The Library, in conjunction with the Members’ Services Team, is pleased to invite you to the Casework Discussion Forum which will take place virtually each month. Continuing healthcare Q&AChaired by Wendy Wilson from the Library with Tom Powell, the Library’s subject specialist on health. Booking required:…

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Caseworker Q&A Sessions with EDF Energy

In the New Year, EDF will be partnering with Energy UK – the UK Trade Association for the Energy Industry, to provide Q&A sessions with MP Caseworkers to give you an update on how they are helping customers through the winter. You will also have the opportunity to ask EDF and the industry body questions…

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Migrant Help

Migrant Help exists to protect people affected by displacement and exploitation, helping them thrive as individuals and recover from their trauma. They support those most in need and least likely to find support elsewhere, whilst aiming to bridge community gaps and bring services and support together. You can read more about Migrant Help here: https://www.migranthelpuk.org/…

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Rural Payments Agency

The Rural Payments Agency has sent us an updated version of their MP Welcome Pack. If you would like a copy, please see the hotlines list. https://intranet.parliament.uk/Documents/research-online-resources/research/constituency-casework/w4mp-hotlines.pdf

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Have you checked out our events page?

Our events page lists training, talks and other events which may be of interest to Members’ staff. Please have a look here to see what’s on: https://w4mp.org/jobs-listings-events/events/

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Constituency casework: Government support for energy bills

The House of Commons Library has produced a briefing providing a guide to reliable sources of information to help answer common questions on new government support for energy bills introduced in 2022. You can access the briefing here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9685/

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Recess Dates

The recess dates have been updated and can be found here: https://whatson.parliament.uk/nonsittingperiods/

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Latest Recommended Posting Dates for Christmas Delivery 2022

You can find the Royal Mail’s latest recommended posting dates for Christmas delivery 2022 here: https://www.royalmail.com/sites/royalmail.com/files/2022-11/Consumer-Latest-Posting-Dates-2022-v1.7.pdf Details of collection and delivery dates for Christmas 2022 and New Year 2023 can be found here: https://www.royalmail.com/sites/royalmail.com/files/2022-11/Christmas-and-New-Year-2022-23-Delivery-Collection-arrangements-v1.3.pdf

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ClientEarth reception for MPs’ staff

ClientEarth is hosting a networking drinks reception for staff tomorrow – and let’s be honest – you’ve earned it after the past few weeks at Parliament. The link to register attendance is here, and we will be in the downstairs events room at The Walkers of Whitehall from 5pm to 10pm on Wednesday 2nd November.…

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Of Boys and Men’. Richard Reeves

MPs and their staff are invited to join the APPG on Issues Affecting Men and Boys when they hear from Richard V. Reeves, Senior Fellow in Economic Studies, Brookings Institution, Washington D.C. on the findings from his new book ‘Of Boys and Men’ Date: Wednesday 16th November 10.15 am for 10.30-11.30amVenue: Archbishop’s Room, Millbank House,…

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October Caseworker Forum

The October Caseworker forum is scheduled for Thursday 20 October, 2:30-3:30pm and will be on the topic of ‘The training offer for caseworkers – what do you want?’ It will be led by Tara Cullen of the Members’ Services Team. If you would like to be invited, please email MST@parliament.uk

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Parliament Choir

Do you enjoy singing but feel you don’t have time? Did you know there is a choir at Westminster? They meet for 2 hours every Monday evening and you can find out more details here: https://w4mp.org/w4mp/w4mp-guides/groups-which-staff-can-join/sports-and-social-groups/parliament-choir/

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More than a typewriter…

We have just published two short guides about ways to make your documents look better, on screen and in print. They are both available here or from the Guides menu.

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Digital right to work checks go live

Digital right to work checks were introduced during the coronavirus pandemic to enable employers to continue hiring when face-to-face checks were not possible. This allowed applicants to send ID documents to employers using email, video call, and apps. From 1 October 2022, UK employers wishing to carry out digital checks must: use identity service providers…

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Supporting Suicidal Callers

Join us to learn how to deal with a caller who is talking about suicide. We are very lucky to be joined by Lorraine Khalaf from the NHS who will be able to share her insight on how to deal with suicidal callers and how to support yourself and your colleagues when dealing with this…

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Stress Management, Promoting Wellbeing & Work-Life Balance

With Ollie Welsby, Trainer, Brightcore ConsultancyWednesday 5th October 2022, 11.30am – 12.30pmOnline via Teams Please join this Wellness Working Group session to gain insight from Ollie as to how to manage our own stress as well as looking at managing our wellbeing in the short and long term. Ollie will help us understand the biology…

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Forthcoming Commons Library Talks

Details of all forthcoming Commons Library Talks can be found on ACT: https://parliament.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=1563Please note that you must have a parliamentary network account to access ACT. Topics include: Help with fire safety remediation work: high rise blocks (England) Improving the UK’s science capability for managing animal diseases (NAO talk) The Northern Ireland Protocol Bill Energy prices,…

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Working with charities during the cost-of-living crisis – A guide for MPs

Local and national charities working in your constituency can be a vital partner, providing you with frontline insights, up-to-date data and intelligence, and a reliable place to refer people who need urgent help. You will likely already know the charities in your constituency well, so this guide from NPC is intended to help you focus…

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Wellbeing – looking after yourself and others

Caseworker Discussion Forum hosted by the Commons Library The Library, in conjunction with the Members’ Services Team, is pleased to invite you to the Casework Discussion Forum which will take place virtually each month. The next session is taking place on Thursday 18 August, 9:30-10:30am and will be on the topic of Wellbeing – looking after yourself and…

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Call for 22/23 Balfour Project Fellowships

The Balfour Project intends to appoint fifteen Balfour Project Peace Advocacy Fellows for the academic year 2022-23. If you are a postgraduate or final year undergraduate student with an interest in Israel-Palestine, you are welcome to apply. The selected fellows will be paid a bursary of £700 payable in two tranches at the midpoint and…

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