learning

Bank of England Briefing Session in Belfast for Northern Ireland MPs’ Staff

Standard

The Bank of England would like to invite the staff of MPs based in Northern Ireland to a briefing session on the work of the Bank on Friday 10 October from 10.00-12.00 in Belfast.

Bank staff will deliver a briefing on how the work of the Bank of England affects your constituents, with an introduction to our work in Northern Ireland from our Agents in the Bank’s Belfast office. This will be an ideal opportunity to learn more about the work of the Bank and ask your constituents’ questions.

If you would like to attend, please email ParliamentaryAffairs@bankofengland.co.uk to book a place in person.

We would be grateful if you could share this with any colleagues based in constituency offices in Northern Ireland who may be interested in attending.  

Please note this session is for staffers only. However, we hold regular briefing sessions for MPs to keep them up to date on the Bank’s policymaking and Members are welcome to get in touch to learn more.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Maternal Mental Health Alliance

Standard

Virtual training hosted by the Wellness Working Group

Speaker: Maternal Mental Health Alliance
Time: 14:00 – 15:00
Date: Tuesday 30 September 2025
Location: Online via Teams

Join us to hear from the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) who will provide us with information about how we can help support ourselves, colleagues or constituents who may be struggling with their own, or someone else’s mental health during pregnancy, or beyond.

Please email mpsstaff-wwg@parliament.uk for the details and link.

Career and Progression Hub for Members’ Staff

Standard

MMSST is excited to announce the launch of its brand-new Career and Progression Hub – your one-stop destination for everything you need to grow, develop, and thrive in your career. 

 Your career is a journey – and we’re here to help you make the most of it.

This initiative is part of our commitment following the Speaker’s Conference on Employment Conditions – helping Members’ staff feel more connected to the wider parliamentary community and extending House Administration support to you. 

What’s Inside the Hub? 

  • Recruitment & CV Support:  Tips on crafting standout CVs and preparing for opportunities. 
  • Coaching Resources:  Explore the internal and external coaching support available to you – to help you move forward with confidence. 
  • CPD Training:  Access a wide range of Continuous Professional Development resources to keep your skills sharp and relevant. 
  • Benefits and Support Guide:  Discover the full range of benefits available to you, plus guidance on how to access support when you need it. 
  • Careers Matrix:  Have informal chats with our Careers Matrix Ambassadors to share career experiences. 

How to Access 

The Careers and Progression Hub is now live and the link can be accessed from ParliNet.

Yorkshire and the Humber Roadshow – October 2025

Standard

We are excited to share that the Members and Members’ staff Services Team (MMSST) are planning a roadshow event in Yorkshire and the Humber this October. This forms part of a wider programme of roadshows taking place across the UK throughout the year.

What to expect

The roadshow event is aimed at all Members’ staff and is a valuable opportunity to:

  • Learn more about the wide range of support and services available to you
  • Connect with colleagues from other local offices
  • Attend informative presentations and engaging breakout sessions
  • Meet 1-2-1 with key service providers

Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided.

Help to shape the event

The MMSST are keen to hear from you as we begin to plan the event. Your input will help us tailor the event to your needs.

The roadshow will take place during October 2025. We have not yet confirmed a location for the roadshow, as we are keen to hear your feedback and preferences for location within the region. We are provisionally looking to host the event w.c. 27 October.

Please email MMSST@parliament.uk to register your interest and share your suggestions by Friday 29 August. Please let us know:

  • Which services you would like to hear from
  • What you would find most valuable from the roadshow
  • Your preferred location and timing

Bank of England Briefing in Cardiff for MPs’ Staff

Standard

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.

Caseworker Discussion Forum: Correspondence processes in Government departments and executive agencies

Standard

Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Date: Thursday 18 September 2025
Location: Online via MS Teams

The Casework Discussion Forum takes place each month via MS Teams.

This month’s discussion is about correspondence processes in Government departments and executive agencies.

Cabinet Office staff will provide an overview and outline any particular areas of these processes that have been updated recently and how they may affect Parliamentarians and their staff

Book your place on Act.

The forum is complemented by a dedicated Teams chat which enables you to share ideas and best practice, with support being on hand from the Library should specialist knowledge be required.

You do not have to be a caseworker to attend these sessions – they are open to any Members’ staff who handle casework.

Scotland Roadshows – September 2025

Standard

The Members and Members’ Staff Services in collaboration with the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) are pleased to invite Members’ staff to attend our upcoming roadshow events in Scotland this September.

Event details

The roadshows are open to all Members’ staff. There will be two roadshow events taking place in Scotland:

  • Inverness Roadshow on Tuesday 9 September 2025 
  • Glasgow Roadshow on Wednesday 10 September 2025.

Both events will follow the same agenda, so please attend the event that is more convenient for you to travel to.

To register to attend please email (MMSST@parliament.uk) and you will be sent an outlook invitation.  Please register your interest by Tuesday 2 September.

What to expect

The agenda will include informative presentations from IPSA and the Home Office, as well as updates from the House Administration. The events are also a chance to connect and network with colleagues from other local offices.

For more information, please contact MMSST@parliament.uk

Understanding the impact of disability benefits reforms on local authorities

Standard

Free webinar from Policy in Practice

Time: 10:30 – 11:45
Date: Wednesday 27 August 2026
Location: Online
Registration: Please click here for full details and registration

Changes to disability benefits are set to affect millions of low income households across the UK. Despite recent government concessions softening the immediate impact, significant changes remain on the horizon, with major implications for councils, NHS services and local support systems.

An increase to Universal Credit and investment in employment support is offset by changes to the health element of Universal Credit, putting additional pressure on already stretched services.

For councils, understanding who will be affected and preparing early will be key to avoiding deepening hardship in their communities.

Caseworker Discussion Forum: Disability Services (DWP)

Standard

Time: 14:30 – 15:30
Date: Thursday 7 August 2025
Location: Online via MS Teams

The Caseworker Discussion Forum takes place each month via MS Teams.

This month’s forum will focus on a Disability Services benefits overview and handling constituent correspondence, with staff from DWP.

Book your place on Act.

The forum is complemented by a dedicated Teams chat which enables you to share ideas and best practice, with support being on hand from the Library should specialist knowledge be required.

You do not have to be a caseworker to attend these sessions – they are open to any Members’ staff who handle casework.