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/

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/

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

Time: 14:00 – 15:00Date: Tuesday 10 January 2023Location: Online We are lucky to be joined by Katie Shooter from the Home Office who will provide an update from her team. This will be a Q&A session if you would like to submit a question, please email MST@parliament.uk , we will pass them to Katie on…

Intranet Replacement Project Update Time: 10:15 – 11:00Date: Thursday 1 December 2022Location: MS Teams Please join Becky Clarke and Angy El-Mandouh for an online show and tell session on the new intranet project.  They will update you on the work done so far and showcase some initial designs. This will be followed by a Q&A…

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

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.…

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,…

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

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/

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.

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

Commons Library Casework Discussion Forum 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 September forum is taking place on Thursday 22 September, 2-3pm and will be a Q&A on devolved and reserved matters. It will be chaired by Wendy…

Upcoming All MP’s Staff Q&A:Home Office/ Immigration Time: 10:00 – 11:00Date: Tuesday 13 September 2022Venue: Online via TeamsBooking essential: Click this link to book Due to high demand, we are hosting a further event with the Home Office.  We are lucky to be joined by Katie Shooter from the Home Office.  Katie will provide an update…

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…

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…

Listen to this podcast from PoliticsHome to find out: How Westminster Works: What do MPs actually do for you? https://podfollow.com/1205139782/episode/ca275f254a01662c3ecfedf7aaa79fa70320a185/view “Every year MPs and their staff receive thousands of requests for help from the people they are elected to represent – ranging from everyday problems about bin collections and parking spaces, to highly sensitive pleas…

Learn about skills starting as an Office Manager Office Manager – Getting Started Workshop for Members’ Staff To book, please click this link Thursday 15 September 10-12 pm  Course overview This workshop focuses on the elements of an Office Manager’s role that relates to HR best practice. It provides an opportunity to build knowledge and…

12:30 – 13:30 – Thursday 4 August 2022Online Via Teams Over the Bloody Moon is a leading menopause consultancy who will talk to us about the menopause transition and how you can better support colleagues or a partner. Lesley is here today to help managers feel more confident and equipped to support those negatively impacted by menopause.…

Date Topic How to sign up Thursday 28 July 2pm Cyber Security Briefing essential to understanding the risks and mitigations around cyber security for us all, both in and out of work Registration form for webinar here Friday 29 July 10am Introduction to Microsoft Teamstips on using Teams as a tool to organise and communicate. Learn about…

There are still places available on today’s Grantfinder training at 10:30 – 11:30am on MS Teams. If you’d like to attend this morning’s session please contact Catrin Owens by 10:20am and she will make the booking for you. Grantfinder is a database of funding sources including grants, loans and advisory schemes and can help you…

During the 2022 House Services Fair in July, many staffers were able to go on a Doorkeepers guided tour of the Palace. However, if you didn’t manage to go on one of the tours, you can now view a virtual tour on the intranet, guided by Deputy Principal Doorkeeper Ross Carlin. You must have a…

Information for anyone attempting to gain access their own, or somebody else’s, medical records. Accessing health records is now always as simple as putting in a Subject Access Request under the Data Protection Act 2018. Sometimes, other legislation also comes into play depending upon the circumstances. Read the Commons Library Constituency Casework Briefing to find…

During this fully guided tour, you will visit the State Apartments of Speaker’s House, the rarely seen part of the Palace of Westminster where the Speaker conducts official business and resides. You will discover the history and traditions of the role of the Speaker and see the magnificent artworks on display, including a unique set…

There is be a dedicated walk-in surgery for MPs and caseworkers in the Customer Hub in Portcullis House, run by the Home Office. It is open from 10am to 5pm. *please note that the surgery will not operate on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 July 2022*Officials will be available to provide advice on the Ukrainian…

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 21 July, 2-3pm and will be a Q&A session on the topic of Housing. It will be led by Wendy Wilson…

What do you think about MPs spending public money? A lot has changed since the MPs’ expenses scandal in 2009, but IPSA’s research shows that there are still misconceptions around MPs’ staffing and business costs. Here are some facts that might surprise you: Want to know more? See the IPSA website here: https://www.theipsa.org.uk/myths-about-mps-business-costs

The Commons Library, in conjunction with the Members’ Services Team, are pleased to announce a new series of talks on research, casework and policy to take place virtually each month. The talks will cover a different topic each session as decided by Members’ staff, and the first event will be taking place Wednesday 22 June,…

A message from Caroline Dinenage MP: Some of you may recall back in the dim, distant past of 2011, I ran a ‘Back to Netball’ course in partnership with England Netball for people working in Parliament. Recently, prompted by a few enquiries from Members and staffers alike, I met with England Netball to discuss rebooting…

Following the recent publication of the Best Practice Guide on Whistleblowing (guidance for MPs as employers). The Members’ HR Team would like to invite you to join them for one of the upcoming familiarisation sessions that will provide information that sets out the way in which employees may raise a whistleblowing concern and how those…

IPSA has published an informative article explaining that MPs’ business costs are not expenses. You can read it here: https://www.theipsa.org.uk/news/mps-business-costs-arent-expenses

Your mailboxes have a maximum size limit of 80gb. If you go over this, then you will no longer be able to receive incoming messages and the senders will get bounce messages. To prevent this from happening, PDS is asking MPs and their staff to either delete or archive old messages. If you choose to…

To mark the 40th Anniversary of the Falklands Conflict, students are invited to submit essays or stories, posters, podcasts, or short films. Competition entries are welcomed from students of all backgrounds from across the UK. The winners have the opportunity to visit the Falklands in an all-expenses paid trip. Please see here for full details:…

Thursday 26th May – 10am – 11am Living life to the Full (LLTTF) is one of the UK’s most popular wellbeing resources, and is widely recommended in health, social care and charity settings. A free access site at www.llttf.com provides online wellbeing skills, and courses to help those living with stress and low mood,  long-term physical health problems…

Have you heard of the Civil Service Sports Council? It’s a fantastic organisation which supports its members with physical, financial and mental wellbeing, as well as providing hundreds of other benefits. Staff of MPs and Peers are eligible to join. See our page here for further information: https://w4mp.org/w4mp/w4mp-guides/groups-which-staff-can-join/cssc/

It has been a year since Alison Stanley wrote her 18 month independent review of the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS), and 28 of her 33 recommendations have now been implemented. This is in large part due to the hard work of the ICGS team. We have created the new ICGS Hub, we are…

The State Opening of Parliament will take place on Tuesday 10 May 2022.Further details here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/state-opening-of-parliament-may-2022 Click here to find out what happens at the State Opening of Parliament: https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/occasions/stateopening/

PolicyMogul is rolling out a free political monitoring and research platform to all parliamentarians and staffPolicyMogul is a political monitoring and research platform that helps MPs and their staff stay on top of political developments and avoid missing important information from constituents and others. Many MPs and their staff are actively using the free service.…

The new Certificate of Employer’s Liability Insurance, which should be displayed in all MPs’ offices, is now available to download from the intranet here: https://intranet.parliament.uk/finances/insurance/mps-insurance/employers-and-public-liability/

To view information about the changes to vehicle access, including for bicycles, to the parliamentary estate, please see this intranet page: https://bit.ly/3KSMcT0

There’s no longer any need to book calls to IPSA in advance, you can just call them directly on 020 7811 6400. Your call will be answered by a member of the team, not necessarily your Account Manager or Payroll Officer, who will try to resolve your issue or will forward to a member of…

The List of Ministerial Responsibilities was updated on 3 March 2022 and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-ministers-and-responsibilities

The prices of Royal Mail postage stamps will rise on 4 April 2022 A first-class stamp for a standard letter will rise from 85p to 95p A second-class stamp for a standard letter will rise from 66p to 68p See here for full details: https://www.royalmailgroup.com/en/press-centre/press-releases/royal-mail-group/first-and-second-class-stamp-prices-2022/ If you intend to stock up on stamps before the…

03 March 2022 The Independent Expert Panel (IEP) has published its first annual report.  The IEP decides appeals and determines sanctions in complaints against MPs of bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct under the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS). It decided six cases last year, upholding complaints against two current and three former MPs. Three were for sexual misconduct and…

IPSA has confirmed the budgets for MPs’ offices for 2022-2023 and you can read the bulletin here: https://assets.ctfassets.net/s90k6prbkeee/3Qh3dqtF4hBC3WpZ2ADrMi/65f374248b72727a3154424b2a77f5e3/Bulletin__2_March_2022.pdf and the finer details here: https://www.ipsaonline.org.uk/guidance/reports-and-budgeting#summary-of-2022-23-budgets You can find an updated monthly and yearly salary calculator here: https://www.ipsaonline.org.uk/guidance/reports-and-budgeting#document-downloads

Good Things Foundation and Nominet have announced a new research scheme to help end data poverty and reduce the cost of living. The three research fellowships – part of the pioneering Data Poverty Lab – will each provide £12,000 funding to enable people to explore interventions with the aim of designing effective solutions to tackle…