Talk

Library/NAO talk: Access to Work scheme

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Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Date: 25 June 2026
Location: Online via Teams
Booking: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=9875

Access to Work is a demand-led grant scheme to help people get, or stay in, work if they have a physical or mental health condition or disability. Funding may pay for things like specialist equipment, support workers such as a British Sign Language interpreter, the costs of travelling to work and physical adaptations to the workplace.  The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) typically approves support for individuals for three years, up to a maximum annual total, which was £69,260 in 2024-25 and 2025-26.

Join the National Audit Office as they discuss key findings from their report on The Access to Work scheme, which covers:

  • the purpose of the Access to Work scheme
  • take-up of the scheme
  • how DWP is managing the increased take-up of the scheme

The National Audit Office (NAO) is the UK’s independent public spending watchdog. It supports Parliament in holding government to account and helps improve public services through its audits.

Library talk: The NATO Summit 2026

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The NATO summit will take place in Ankara on 7 and 8 July. Join Library experts from our International Affairs and Defence team to find out more about the key topics for discussion and what we might expect from the Summit.

Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Date: 18 June 2026
Location: Online via Teams
Booking: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=10108

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.

Library Talk – Local government restructuring

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Time: 1400 – 1500
Date: 4 December 2025
Location: Online via Teams
Sign up link: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=8324

County and district councils across England have been asked to present plans to Government to reorganise themselves into unitary authorities. Final proposals were due in on 28 November 2025.

This talk looks at what we know about the plans that have been submitted, which plans might be accepted, the timetable for changes, and the challenges of making reorganisation happen.

This will be useful for caseworkers, Commons staff, and anyone else who wants to find out what reorganisation means.

Library talk – Infected blood compensation

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Time: 1030 – 1130
Date: 20 November 2025
Location: Online

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 Library 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.

Book your place on Act.

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

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