Helping your constituents with money worries and complaints – free training from the Financial Ombudsman
If a constituent can’t sort out a problem with a financial business – whether it’s their insurer, bank or mortgage company, a lender or debt collector – the Ombudsman can help find a way forward.
Set up by Parliament, we’re here to resolve complaints fairly, quickly and informally – as an alternative to the courts. Independent and unbiased, we’re completely free for constituents to use. We can also help very small businesses.
We run free training across the UK to help MPs and their caseworkers – alongside other community advisers – resolve their constituents’ money worries.
Our practical half-day workshop will cover:
- the role of the ombudsman, our powers – and how to use us
- our approach when someone is having serious money problems
- our approach when someone is struggling to pay back a loan
But we also want to hear from you – and we’re always happy to talk through specific local issues and the problems your constituents are bringing to you.
To find a free training event near you and book a place, check the news and outreach pages on our website and apply for the event you’re interested in.
Our events run for half a day and refreshments will be provided. If you have any other questions, please email outreach@financial-ombudsman.org.uk.
We’ve also run successful constituency events with MPs. If you’re interested in working together – or if you think there’s any other way we can help you – please email laura.mccormack@financial-ombudsman.org.uk.
From their website:
The IPT is an independent, non-lobbying, non-partisan charity that provides a trusted platform of engagement between Parliament and UK business. The IPT is dually supported by cross-party representation of senior parliamentarians on its Board of Trustees, and through the patronage of its industry supporters. The IPT is non-party political and works with all parliamentarians and businesses of any sector or size.
The IPT creates an environment that supports trusted, open and two-way dialogue between Parliament and UK business. IPT platforms engage, educate and inform, create lasting relationships and facilitate the exchange of ideas. Specifically, we aim to:
- Equip parliamentarians from all parties with a greater understanding of commerce and industry through non-partisan platforms
- Enable businesses of all sizes and from all sectors to develop knowledge of parliamentary and legislative processes
- Enrich policy debates by deepening the dialogue between Parliament and industry
- Support the efficient administration of government through our Civil Service Attachment Scheme
Link
From their website:
Westminster Explained is the division of Dods Training which delivers the core skills for dealing with Parliament, Government and policy making. The practical nature of our innovative workshops is blended with discussion and reflection on theory. This combination will help you implement or influence policy and legislation in the UK or on an international stage.
Our courses are aimed at anyone in any sector with an interest in how decisions are taken – and implemented – in government.
Link
Working for an MP is an exciting and rewarding job, but at some point you may face exactly the same difficulties as you would in any other workplace – a dispute over your job description, a grievance against your employer or simply the need to put a collective case for improvements in working conditions.
The Unite Parliamentary Staff Branch represents staff of MPs, both in Parliament and in the constituency, and has many trained shop stewards who will be more than willing to help, however small your problem may seem. Our members’ well-being in the workplace is of the utmost importance to the branch.
MPs’ staff find themselves in a difficult position in terms of claiming their basic working rights. Whilst, legally, our MP is usually considered our employer, it is IPSA and the House Authorities who are our de facto employers, setting our pay levels, contractual terms and conditions, and working environment. Staff pay and employment conditions suffered a significant blow when the IPSA MPs’ Business Costs Scheme was introduced in 2010. Now, more than ever, it is important for MPs’ staff to speak with one voice on all of these issues, and the union is fighting to improve the terms for MPs’ staff under IPSA. The more staff who join, the stronger a case they can put for improvements in pay and conditions.
Unite has been representing the staff of Members of Parliament for over 35 years.
The Unite Parliamentary Staff Branch is part of the largest trade union in the UK, Unite and is regularly consulted by the Houses of Parliament authorities on issues affecting staff. We hope that if you have not already done so, you will join.
Where we fit in…
The Unite Parliamentary Staff Branch is based in Region 1 of the Union (London and the South East) but includes staff from all over England, Scotland and Wales. It has members who work for MPs and MEPs of all the major political parties and most of the smaller ones.
Follow the Unite Parliamentary Staff Branch on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/unitepsbranch
Training
The main resource for training for Members’ Staff is The Members and Members’ Staff Services Team .
Courses take place online, on the Parliamentary Estate and regionally, and if a course of interest is not available at a convenient location or date, they will endeavour to accommodate specific requirements, subject to sufficient demand (12 delegates and above).
Courses are free of charge to all Members’ staff who are paid through IPSA’s staffing allowance and travel costs to training events can be met from the expenses scheme administered by IPSA.
The full course catalogue is available via Act – the Parliamentary learning management system. Some courses are advertised as being for House staff, but MPs’ staff can still sign up for some of them, such as some of the courses from Parliamentary Digital. If in doubt, please do contact L&D for advice.
If you see a course you’d like to do, but there isn’t a session advertised yet, please do put yourself on the waiting list so that the MMSST knows that people are interested. This will also ensure that you get a notification of when a session is available.
email: mmsst@parliament.uk
House of Commons Library
The House of Commons Library arranges inductions, training and events for MPs and MPs’ staff. Visit the Library’s website to find out more.
To receive information on all upcoming Commons Library training courses and events, sign up for email updates for MPs’ staff and bookmark the Library’s ACT page.
Latest Training Courses
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 – 11:30Date: 18 June 2026Location: Online via TeamsBooking: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=10108
Need a refresher on the Representation of the People Bill? As the bill is carried over into the next parliamentary session, this talk can help you get the facts on the main points of the bill, key changes at committee and more. Time: 10:30 – 11:30Date: Tuesday 9 June 2026Location: Online via TeamsBooking: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=9727
Welcome to Parliament. The new joiner induction sessions are available to book via the ACT portal. If you have a new joiner in your office, please share with them. This session will welcome you to being part of the Parliamentary community and cover essential information from key House services that will help you to settle…
Time: 1030Date: Thursday 11 June 2026Location: Online via Teams With Nerys Roberts and Rob Long from the Commons Library For booking and further information, please see ACT.
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 JulyModern information warfare 14:00 – 14:45 (online)How to combat disinformation in the digital age with the House of Commons Library. Tuesday 7 JulyUse, understand and present…
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Tagged casework, Commons Library, fact checking, information, learning, library, research, statistics, training
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Time: 1200-1300Date: Thursday 23 April 2026Location: Online via MS TeamsBooking: Sign up here – parliamentary account holders only Join us for a panel conversation with staff from the Speaker’s Office, as they discuss their roles, what goes on behind the chair, and how they make Parliament happen. This event is part of the programme of work…
Join the Meta team for a practical training session that will cover key best practices, safety and security features across Meta technologies. Whether you’re new to these tools or looking to strengthen your existing setup, you’ll leave with actionable next steps. Time: Noted added 15 April – it looks like this event has been changed…
Time: 1030Date: Thursday 16 April 2026Location: Online via MS Teams With staff from the DVLA. For booking and further information, please see ACT.
IPSA year-end webinars will take place on: This webinar will explain what year-end is and outline the essential process that is required from MPs and Proxies at the financial year-end in order to finalise their staffing and business costs accounts accurately. Part of this webinar will be practical to demonstrate how to use IPSA Online…
Time: 1030 – 1130Date: Thursday 12 February 2026Location: Online via MS TeamsInformation and booking: https://parliament.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=1953 With Tom Powell, Manjit Gheera and Rachael Harker from the Commons Library.
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Tagged briefings, casework, Casework Discussion Forum, Caseworker Discussion Forum, Commons Library, health, learning, library, mental health, research, training
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