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 Behaviour Code seminars for 20 and 29 October are already fully-booked, so a further October date has been scheduled as follows: Time: 1400 – 1530Date: 27 October 2026Location: Online via MS TeamsFurther information, future dates and booking: https://parliament.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=2007 Description: Our highly experienced and expert trainers will explain our behaviour code and the responsibility we…
Learn potentially lifesaving CPR and emergency response skills Time: 10:00 – 15:00Date: Wednesday 14 October 2026Location: Portcullis House Atrium Restart a Heart Day aims to increase the number of people surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrests by helping more people learn CPR and become Resus Ready. Join the Parliamentary Health and Wellbeing Service (PHWS) and London Ambulance…
Understanding the daily business papers Time: 1300Date: Monday 12 October 2026Location: Online via MS Teams To register, please email nanchevi@parliament.uk from your parliamentary account.
Time: 1400 – 1500Date: Wednesday 21 October 2026Location: Online via MS TeamsRegistration: Via ACT This month’s speaker will be Will Downs from the Commons Library’s Home Affairs Section.
Time: 1000 – 1200Date: Tuesday 6 October 2026Location: online via MS TeamsRegistration: please sign up via ACT Further information: please email MMSST@parliament.uk The Members and Members’ staff Services Team invites all new Members’ Staff to join us for a two hour Welcome to Parliament induction session. Aims: The session is interactive and will include polls,…
Open to Members of Parliament and their staff. The Public Service Ombudsman (formerly known as the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman) independently investigates complaints about UK government departments, other public organisations, and the NHS in England. Complaining can be complicated for some people. If you are a Member of Parliament, or work for one, we want…
The Security Awareness Programme offers a range of sessions open to all passholders. You’ll hear from members of the Parliamentary Security Department (PSD), senior leaders, and guest speakers. Sessions cover a wide variety of topics, including: The skills and knowledge you gain can help you in both your professional and personal life Please see here…
Time: 1400 – 1530Date: Thursday 24 September 2026Location: Online via MS Teams Join us for this extended casework forum session which aims to bring you essential tips, tricks and advice on how to effectively manage casework. With the authors of the Library’s Guide to casework and W4MP’s accompanying Casework guide on hand, we will also have guests…
Professor Jennifer Lees-Marshment from the University of Dundee will be delivering a series of workshops for Members’ staff this autumn. These interactive sessions are designed to encourage peer learning through discussion and breakout groups. The workshops will provide participants with the opportunity to share experiences, explore key topics and issues, and learn from colleagues across…
Time: 14:00 – 15:00Date: Wednesday 19 August 2026Location: Online via TeamsBooking: book via ACT We’ll be joined by staff from the Housing Ombudsman and Library subject specialistsOnline booking closes 90 minutes before the forum meeting. To request a place after online booking has closed please email LibraryTraining@parliament.uk
