HMRC is trialling extended opening hours for the MP’s Tax Credit hotline.  It will now run from 8am to 6pm and you can find the number on our hotlines list (intranet only)

There are still available places for the essential Writing Skills course offered in Scotland on 20 September for MP staff.  If you would like to attend just click on the highlighted course name below and it will take you directly to the course booking page provided that you are already logged in to the Parliamentary network. Alternatively contact the Commons Learning and Development team Places on these courses are free for staff and travel expenses can be reclaimed via IPSA.             GLASGOW 20-Sept 10:00-…

The proposals to refurbish the Palace of Westminster from the Restoration and Renewal Programme  have received extensive media coverage, with Metro reporting: “MPs could be forced to move out of the Houses of Parliament for six years while the buildings undergo major renovations. The Palace of Westminster faces an ‘impending crisis’ and is at risk of a ‘catastrophic event’, MPs and peers have warned.” This in turn led to a rash of petitions calling for Parliament to be permanently located out of London, such as this one…

Today we publish the one hundredth cartoon drawn for w4mp by the talented Hoby, and we’ve pulled together ten of the best to commemorate this important milestone. Each month we’ve glimpsed the inner workings of Parliament, and been shocked, awed and occasionally deeply embarrassed by what we’ve found. Onward to the next century!

The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology has recently published the following POSTnotes: Managing the UK Plutonium Stockpile This POSTnote describes the state of the plutonium stockpile, current plutonium policy and the options for managing the plutonium: indefinite storage, reuse in UK power plants, conversion to fuel to send overseas and disposal as waste. It then outlines the safety, security, economic and energy policy implications of these options. Integrating Health and Social Care The four UK nations have committed to better integration between health and…

This year’s UK Parliament Week will take place from 14-20 November 2016. Preparations are now in full swing, but we need your help. This is your chance to get constituents more involved in Parliament. The UK Parliament Week project team are hosting an informal drop-in session with refreshments on 8 September in Portcullis House, Room Q, from 12-4pm where you’ll be invited to: Collect an information pack  about UK Parliament Week Fill out your resource request form Find out if there are events registered in your constituency…

‘Weiner’ screening and Q&A – The State of Politics Today 18th August, 1845. In partnership with Dogwoof films, the Political Studies Association (PSA) presents a screening and Q&A session on Weiner – a provocative documentary film providing a sharp insight into the downfall of New York City mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner. The FREE screening at House of Vans London will be followed by a debate led by PSA Vice-Chair Professor Rosie Campbell on the state of politics today and what it means to be a politician in…

The Parliamentary Digital Service has kindly offered some advice for maintaining consistent, simple and relatively secure access to your Parliamentary IT services over the summer recess. Easier access to your services via Microsoft 365 Thanks to Microsoft 365, you can access your email and calendar in the following ways: 1.       On any Parliamentary supplied laptop or desktop connected to the internet, just open Outlook. 2.       On any computer or tablet, go to office.com, click ‘Sign In’ at the top-right corner of the screen, and enter your normal username,…

A display by the Parliamentary Archives about the Great Fire of London will open on September 2 in the  Norman Porch, House of Lords. You can see an online exhibition about the fire on the Parliamentary Archives website.