briefings

What next for restoration and renewal of parliament?

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An expert panel explores how parliament should approach the major restoration project, including lessons from other countries and industry.

Time: 1230-1330
Date: Monday 11 May 2026
Location: London, in-person and online

The Palace of Westminster is one of the world’s most recognisable historic buildings and the home of the UK parliament. Yet much of the estate is in urgent need of repair. While debates over how to approach the Restoration and Renewal programme have continued for over a decade, other countries have already moved ahead: Austria has completed the renovation of its parliament, and Canada’s is well underway.

In February, the Restoration and Renewal Client Board set out updated costings and recommended two possible paths forward – full decant or enhanced maintenance and improvement. Parliament is expected to debate the Client Board’s report in the coming weeks.  

With the stage now set for parliament to embark on a project that will not only safeguard this historic landmark but also reimagine it for future generations, this IfG event will explore lessons from other international projects, and discuss what the Restoration and Renewal programme could mean for parliament, industry and the wider public.

For full details, please see here: Institute for Government

Members’ Office Management Call – 29 April 2026

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The guest speakers on this call will be from IPSA.

There will also be the regular weekly updates from the Parliamentary Digital Service, the Parliamentary Security Department, the Human Resources Team, IPSA, and the House of Commons Library.

Time: 1100
Date: Wednesday 29 April 2026
Location: online via MS Teams
How to join: email MMSST@parliament.uk citing your role and the member you work for, and ask to be added to the mailing list and receive an invitation to the weekly call

*** Please note that this call is only for those in an office management role within an MP’s office.

POLITICO PRO UK: Parliamentary access

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POLITICO offers in-depth briefings and alerts from the corridors of Parliament, Whitehall and beyond. All MPs and staffers are eligible to receive POLITICO Pro U.K. newsletters as part of the corporate license. Sign up here to start receiving:

  • U.K. Pro Energy & Climate
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  • The Ex Files (Everything Brexit related)

At no additional cost. Join hundreds of your colleagues who are already taking advantage of our exclusive intelligence. Sign up now.

esThe coverage provides:

  • Real-time alerts – Be the first to know about breaking policy developments, regulatory changes, amendments, consultations and political shifts, helping you to move quickly and confidently.
  • Regular briefings – Cut through the noise with concise round-ups summarising what’s happening, why it matters and what’s coming next, giving you clear, actionable insight.
  • Forward-looking intelligence – Stay ahead with insight on upcoming legislation, regulatory moves, political strategy and stakeholder activity – and what it means for Parliament.

Sign up today.

Royal British Legion parliamentary staff event

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Time: 1800 – 2100
Date: Thursday 21 May 2026
Location: London

On Thursday May 21st at 6pm-9pm before the Whitsun recess, the Royal British Legion is planning to hold a reception in Westminster for members of parliamentary staff in London.

The aim of this event will be to inform Members’ staff about the work of RBL, the 2026 Armed Forces Bill, and how we can help with casework support for the Armed Forces community in constituencies across the country.

Buffet and drinks will be provided, and there will also be a bar.

Please do let us know at PublicAffairs@britishlegion.org.uk if you can attend, and if you would like to bring any other staff with you.

Access to Justice: Legal aid and services

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A research briefing from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST).

  • How have changes to legal aid affected access to justice in England and Wales?
  • What are the key trends, impacts and regional disparities in legal support and service provision?

Find out by reading the research briefing here: Access to Justice: Legal aid and services

Structure of the NHS in England (ICBs, trusts, etc) – Caseworker Discussion Forum

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Time: 1030 – 1130
Date: Thursday 12 February 2026
Location: Online via MS Teams
Information and booking: https://parliament.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=1953

With Tom Powell, Manjit Gheera and Rachael Harker from the Commons Library.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and employment

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Research briefing from POST

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more common in UK workplaces. How is it being used, and what are the impacts on job opportunities and working conditions?

Read the research briefing from POST here: https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pn-0757

Library Talk – The relationship between church and state

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Time: 1400 – 1500
Date: 11 December 2025
Location: Online via Teams
Sign up link: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=8325

The relationship between church and state is a very old feature of the UK constitution but also little understood.

This Library talk will explore the historical foundations of the UK’s two established churches – England and Scotland – how their relationship with ‘the state’ has evolved over time and what the main obligations and benefits are today.

With the recent announcement of a new Archbishop of Canterbury, the talk will also explain the Lords Spiritual and the King’s role in appointing bishops and archbishops, as well as the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. It will also explain the role of Parliament in Church Measures and the status of ecclesiastical law.

Library Talk – Infected blood compensation

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Time: 1030 – 1130
Date: 20 November 2025
Location: Online via Teams
Sign up link: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=8416

The government established the infected blood compensation scheme in response to the Infected Blood Inquiry. The first payments from the scheme were made in October 2024 and as of September 2025, 3,284 people have begun a claim process.

This talk explains the origin of the scheme, how it operates in practice, and recent changes to application processes. It will be useful for caseworkers and anyone who is interested to find out more about infected blood compensation.

News from the Commons Library

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The House of Commons returns from conference recess next week! Make sure you’re up to date with everything from the Commons Library so you can hit the ground running.

Visit our website and bookmark Library briefings for Commons debates, which we update regularly with the latest research.

You can also sign up for online events coming later this month designed to support your constituency work.

Join the DWP Disability Services Complaints team in our next caseworker forum meeting on 21 October, for an outline their services and handling constituent correspondence.

Followed by the return of Library Talks on 23 October, starting with a Library expert on everything you need to know about the Child Maintenance Service.