casework

NEW HMRC GUIDES FOR MPS AND STAFF

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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:

  • Help for you and your constituents – Working with HM Revenue and Customs: a guide for MPs
  • Tax and National Insurance contributions – Guide for MPs and Ministers (MPs managing their own tax affairs)

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 to current MPs and their staff with intranet email accounts.  It is not available to members of the public.

Association of Drop-in Centres (ASDIC)

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ASDIC supports the drop-in centres which in turn support veterans in our communities across the UK. ASDIC Centre leaders are all passionate about the services they offer and, if they can’t help with your problem, they’ll know where to look. You can find the location and opening hours of your nearest drop-in centre here: https://www.asdic.org.uk/member-directory/

For further information please contact membership engagement officer Sacha Moravek by emailing [email protected] or by calling 07840 807093.

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

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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 low carbon technologies.

Other sources that answer frequent questions are provided, as well as links to other Library briefings, which cover some of the schemes in more detail. Where complex issues are raised it may be more appropriate to refer constituents to specialist bodies and organisations or to a solicitor if legal advice is sought. 

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9692/

Migrant Help

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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/

Whilst there is no MP hotline for Migrant Help, they have provided some information on how to help your constituents:

A guide to reporting issues via their website:
https://w4mp.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Migrant-Help-Guide_RaiseIssue_v02b.pdf

Accessing Migrant Help’s Service User Portal and webchat:
https://w4mp.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Migrant-Help-Webchat-and-Portal-guidance.pdf

Wellbeing – looking after yourself and others

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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 others. It will be chaired by Wendy Wilson from the Library.

The Forum will be complemented by a dedicated Teams chat which will allow you to share ideas and best practice, as well as support being on hand from the Library should specialist knowledge be required.

(Please note, you do not have to be a Caseworker to attend these sessions, they are open to any Members’ staff who handle casework.) 

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

What do MPs actually do for you?

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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 about immigration, medical care and crime. Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron and dedicated caseworkers speak to PoliticsHome about the vital work their staff in offices across the length and breadth of the country do.”

Accessing Health Records – Commons Library Constituency Casework Briefing

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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 out more: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/accessing-health-records/

Housing Casework Forum – 21 July 2022

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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 from the Library.

The Forum will be complemented by a dedicated Teams chat which will allow you to share ideas and best practice, as well as support being on hand from the Library should specialist knowledge be required.

(Please note, you do not have to be a Caseworker to attend these sessions, they are open to any Members’ staff who handle casework.)

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

To book, please visit ACT: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=5177

Casework forum

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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, 9.30 – 10.30am. You can book your place on ACT.

They will also be complemented by a dedicated Teams chat which will allow you to share ideas and best practice, as well as support being on hand from the Library should specialist knowledge be required.

Please note, you do not have to be a Caseworker to attend these sessions, they are open to any Members’ staff who handle casework. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]