briefings

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.

Bank of England Briefing in Cardiff for MPs’ Staff

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Want to find out more about the Bank of England and how it affects your constituents?

The Bank of England is inviting MPs’ staff based in Wales to a briefing session on the work of the Bank at a venue in the centre of Cardiff, taking place on the morning of Tuesday 23 September.

Senior Bank staff will deliver a briefing on the Bank’s responsibilities – including setting interest rates and regulating the banking sector – and how it affects your constituents. The Bank’s Agent in Wales will provide an overview of his work and themes from recent conversations with businesses and community organisations.

With an interest rate decision on 18 September, this will be an ideal opportunity to learn more about the work of the Bank and ask your constituents’ questions. You can learn more about our Agent for Wales here.

We would be grateful if you could share this with any colleagues based in constituency offices in Wales and the surrounding area who may be interested in attending.

The briefing will take in person and online and is for staffers only. Please email ParliamentaryAffairs@bankofengland.co.uk from your parliamentary network account to book a place.

Does the United Kingdom have a constitution?

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House of Commons Library Talk

Session outline

It is often asserted that the UK doesn’t have a constitution, or that it is ‘unwritten’. This talk will test that proposition on the basis of standard constitutional sources.

Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Date: 10 July 2025
Location: Online
Registration: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=7507

Library Talk: The United Nations at 80

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2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. This talk gives an overview of the United Nations, how its work has evolved over 80 years, and the challenges it faces in the future. The talk will also explore the UK’s role at the United Nations, including as a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council.

Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Date: Thursday 26 June 2025
Location: Online via Teams
Registration: via ACT

POST – The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology

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The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) is an impartial research and knowledge exchange service based in the UK Parliament. POST works to ensure members of parliament from both Houses have access to the latest evidence and expertise on complex and emerging topics. It is a valuable resource for parliamentarians looking for clear, impartial research evidence on a wide range of science and social science topics, covering health and the environment to housing and computing.

POST:

  • Publishes impartial briefings, drawing on cutting-edge research evidence, and tailored to the needs of parliament. Our unique approach involves extensive consultation with experts and stakeholders. We focus on topical issues where the research evidence is emerging or particularly complex covering science and social science, from health and the environment to housing and computing.
  • Helps parliamentarians connect with the external experts they need through our UK-wide network of academic and research institutions.

To find out more about POST, read their research briefings and learn about how they can help you with your work, find them on the parliament website at post.parliament.uk

More information about their services can be found on ParliNet.

Library talk: NATO summit preview and the UK armed forces

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The government is expected to set out its defence and foreign policy priorities before the NATO summit. This talk will highlight the key points and lookahead to the main topics of discussion for NATO at its summit on 24-26 June.

Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Date: Thursday 19 June 2025
Location: Online Via Teams
Registration: Via ACT

NATO summit preview and the UK armed forces

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House of Commons Library Talk

Session outline

The government is expected to set out its defence and foreign policy priorities before the NATO summit. This talk will highlight the key points and lookahead to the main topics of discussion for NATO at its summit on 24-26 June.

Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Date: 19 June 2025
Location: Online
Registration: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?f=3479