research

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.

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

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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.

Commons Library summer tours for MPs’ staff

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This summer, join the Commons Library for a free tour of our much-loved Members’ Library.

Open to MPs’ staff and House administration staff, these tours are an opportunity to explore our unique heritage space, learn more about the history of the Library and see highlights from our collection. 

Tours will last an hour and are led by our friendly Members’ Library team. Sign up now: Intro to the Library: Summer Library Tours

Dates:

  • 11 August 2025
  • 19 August 2025
  • 20 August 2025

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.