learning

The House Magazine’s Lord Cormack Fellowship

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Applications for this amazing opportunity for aspiring political journalists are now open, and the deadline for applications is 22 June 2026.

Total Politics Group is proud to announce the return of the Lord Cormack Fellowship, a paid editorial and political journalism fellowship with The House magazine, Parliament’s independent and cross-party publication.

The fellowship is named in honour of Lord Patrick Cormack, the late politician, author and journalist who co-founded The House. Generously supported by his family, the scheme reflects Lord Cormack’s deep-rooted values of editorial impartiality, cross-party collaboration, and respect for the institution of Parliament.

The Lord Cormack Fellowship is open to individuals over the age of 18 and will run from July 6 to August 7 2026; it has been designed to be fully accessible. The selected fellow will be paid the London Living Wage during the first week in London, with accommodation provided by the Royal Foundation of St Katharine for those who require it. The fellow will also receive our standard freelance fee for any work published in the magazine.

Please see here for full details: The House Magazine’s Lord Cormack Fellowship

Evidence Week 2026 – from 6 July 2026

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Bitesize online training sessions for parliamentary staff, provided by the UK’s leading experts including the House of Commons Library, ONS and OSR.

For more information and registration for these sessions, please visit the Evidence Week website

Monday 6 July
Modern information warfare 14:00 – 14:45 (online)
How to combat disinformation in the digital age with the House of Commons Library.

Tuesday 7 July
Use, understand and present numbers well in your work 14:00 – 14:45 (online)
Find out how the Code of Practice for Statistics can help – with the Office for Statistics Regulation.

Wednesday 8 July
Risk Know-How 14:00 – 14:45 (online)
How to understand and present risks effectively with Risk Know-How.

Thursday 9 July
Are you using a reliable survey? 11:00 – 11:45 (online)
How to spot trustworthy survey data with the National Centre for Social Research.

AI fakes 14:00 – 14:45 (online)
What to check with Full Fact.

Friday 10 July
How could changes in different industries and products affect the UK economy? 11:00 – 11:45 (online)
Get trained to use the unique UK calculator with the Office for National Statistics.

How to use spatial insights 14:00 – 14:45 (online)
Access to geographic data that can help address local challenges with Smart Data Research UK.

Making the Chamber work: Behind the scenes with the Serjeant at Arms Team 

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Ever wondered what it takes to keep the House of Commons Chamber running smoothly?

The Serjeant at Arms and his team play a vital role in maintaining order in the House of Commons Chamber, galleries, and committees when the House is sitting. 

Join Serjeant at Arms, Ugbana Oyet, alongside members of the Doorkeeper Team, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at their work. This session will offer insights into the history of the SAA Team, their current responsibilities and how they support Members and Members’ staff to make parliament happen.

Booking information

Research from POST

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The Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology

Read the latest research from POST here: https://post.parliament.uk/

Recent topics include:

  • Technology transfer and productivity growth in the UK
  • The health impacts of airports on local residents
  • Conspiracy theories: What they are and how to spot them
  • Nature-based flood and drought resilience
  • Evidence for nature recovery
  • Leasehold retirement living: How it works, challenges and reforms
  • Research and development (R&D) for UK defence
  • Mental health during and after pregnancy
  • Contracts for Difference and the economics of renewable energy deployment.
  • Public engagement with the energy transition
  • Astronaut health: is going into space bad for your health?
  • Diagnosis and treatment of rare genetic diseases
  • UK investment screening: Balancing national security and economic growth
  • What are data centres and how sustainable are they?

Library talk: The 1926 general strike

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Time: 1400-1500
Date: Thursday 7 May 2026
Location: Online via MS Teams

The 1926 general strike: an ‘unconstitutional’ act or legitimate industrial action?  

To mark the centenary of a landmark event in British politics (and the publication of a new book), this talk will explore the background to the strike, its legacy and legality.  

Book your place on Act.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome awareness month 2026

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Online talk: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome awareness month 2026

Time: 1400-1500
Date: Thursday 14 May 2026
Location: Online via MS Teams
Further information: Promoting Ehlers Danlos Awareness month or email ParliAble@parliament.uk

Did you know? Although at least 1 in 500 people in the UK are diagnosed with Ehlers‑Danlos Syndrome (EDS) or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD), many more remain undiagnosed due to low awareness among the public and healthcare professionals.

To mark International EDS Awareness Month, Gabrielle Fleming partners with ParliAble to share her experience of living with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome – a hidden disability.

“For years, I lived with symptoms I couldn’t explain while trying to build my career. By sharing my experience, I hope others feel seen and supported, and know that with the right adjustments, chronic conditions don’t have to define or limit us.”

The session will cover:

  • Introduction to EDS
  • Gabrielle’s personal story
  • Workplace adjustments and how you can support colleagues with EDS/HSD
  • Resources for further information and support
  • Q&A

Everyone is welcome – whether you’re affected personally, supporting a colleague, friend or family member, or simply curious to learn more.

About EDS
Ehlers‑Danlos Syndromes are a group of genetic connective tissue disorders often associated with hypermobility (‘double‑jointedness’). Symptoms typically appear in childhood, but issues like chronic pain, fatigue, and mobility challenges may develop later in life. Experiences vary widely from mild to significantly disabling.

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

MMSST Constituency Roadshow Events – North West and North East

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The Members and Members’ staff Services Team will be hosting constituency roadshows in Manchester and Newcastle in May.

These events are specifically for Members’ staff and form part of the wider programme of roadshows taking place across the UK. 

They offer a valuable opportunity for Members’ staff to deepen their understanding of the wide range of support and services provided by the House Administration and IPSA, while also providing a chance to connect and network with colleagues from other local offices. 

To sign-up to the event and for more information about the roadshows please visit ParliNet | North West and North East Roadshows.

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.