How can new technology build capacity, strengthen scrutiny and improve public engagement within the legislative process? 

Does Restoration and Renewal present a rare opportunity to experiment with more innovative working practices? We gathered leading thinkers and practitioners from Parliament and the tech arena to examine these themes at the opening event of Parliament Week 2016.

• Watch the event in full on YouTube – including w4mp editor Bill Thompson in a rare public foray.
• Read the first of three posts on the day’s key take-aways
• Explore the online conversation in the event storify

We don’t normally promote cabaret, but with Christmas coming up, we thought you might like to know that an old friend of w4mp, Ed Barker, will be launching his long awaited second album in a showcase on 6th December 2016 at one of London’s most exciting and intimate music venues, The Hippodrome Casino.

Come and celebrate the launch of Are You Listenin’? with an evening of spectacular music, special guests including BBC Strictly Come Dancing’s Lance Ellington, dinner, drinks and album giveaways…as well as the chance to get an exclusive, signed copy of the album in advance of its release date (12th December).

Tickets a mere £15 with discount code 061216HIPPODROME061216 from www.edbarker.co.uk

Please note that links to the old Parliamentary intranet have been removed as of October 2023. Please use search on ParliNet to find relevant current details, if available.

https://parlinet.parliament.uk/house-of-commons-members-staff/

Are you looking for something a little different for Christmas gifts?  Have a look at the Houses of Parliament Gift Shops for books, stationery, confectionery, gifts and much more.

On the intranet, you can view the House of Commons gift shop and the House of Lords Gift Shop, or on Parliament’s public website, you can look at the Houses of Parliament Gift Shop, which has a different range of items from the ones on the intranet.  Members of the public can also visit the Parliament shop at 12 Bridge Street, on the corner of Parliament Square.

The House of Commons Gift Shop’s Christmas events
Discount day – 23 November
The House of Commons 10% discount day will take place on Wednesday 23 November.  Members and all pass holders will receive a 10% discount on all gifts and books in the three House of Commons shops.  Members may order goods and have them delivered to their office on the Parliamentary Estate.  Please call the Retail Team on x3890 to place your order.

Christmas Fayre – 6 December
The highly popular Christmas Fayre will be held in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 6 December from 4.30-7.30pm.  This is another opportunity to take advantage of a 10% discount on all gifts and books both in Westminster Hall and in the Jubilee and House of Commons shops.

A selection of suppliers will showcase the Christmas range, giving you the opportunity to sample some wonderful and delicious products.  Suppliers include Godminster Cheese, Churchill’s Port, Image on Foods gingerbread and Cole’s Christmas Puddings.  For the first time there will be an engraving service offered by Chimo Holdings Silversmith. Entertainment will be provided by the Westminster School Choir and a Sextet Jazz Band.
Pop-up shops
Due to popular demand we will be hosting pop-up shops across the Estate in the month of December.
• Thursday December 8: Tothill Street café
• Tuesday December 13: Portcullis House, by the Despatch café
• Monday December 19: 7 Millbank reception area

The Retail Team look forward to welcoming you to our events and hope you have a truly enjoyable shopping experience!
Further information
For more information contact Sheila Mitchell by email (mitchells@parliament.uk) or on x3812.

Have you been to look at the House of Commons Library Blog – ‘Second Reading‘ recently?

It’s been updated with lots of useful information and statistics on economy and business, social policy, Parliament and elections, world affairs, science and Brexit, with links to Library Briefing Papers.

You can also sign up to the email alert service, so that you are notified when any new articles are published.

Parliament Week is an excellent programme of events and activities that connects people across the UK with Parliament and democracy, running from 14-20 November and live on Twitter at @YourUKParl

You can find out more on their website, explore maps on their interactive map,  or even contribute yourself – If you are interested in writing a blog post then email ukparliamentweek@parliament.uk.

 

A new service is now available for Members and their staff in the Reference Room of the House of Commons Library (just turn right when you go into the Oriel Room!).

This is in response to Members calling for a one-stop shop where they and their staff can deal with a range of different procedural matters without having to visit different offices in different parts of the Palace.

This service brings together House staff who deal with bills and amendments, petitions and delegated legislation, questions, motions and applications for debates all in one place – alongside staff from the Library Operations and Engagement team – to provide an improved service to Members and their staff.

The Procedural Hub will be open on sitting Mondays to Thursdays from 11am – 5pm. It will be able to give advice, amongst other things, on:

• Bills, Public Bill committees, drafting amendments, Private Members’ bills
• Petitions
• Delegated legislation and statutory instrument procedure
• Written and oral questions, including drafting tips
• The content of the Order Paper
• Applications for debates in the Chamber or Westminster Hall
• Early Day Motions.

It will also be possible to table questions, EDMs, applications for debate, and add names to amendments and motions. For complex queries, Hub staff will arrange for an expert from the relevant procedural team to speak to you or your staff.

Further Information

Do pop in to visit the Hub! Or phone (x7333) or email (proceduralhub@parliament.uk) to ask how it can help you!

Ellwood Atfield, the communications and advocacy headhunter, is delighted to host the awards again this year on Tuesday 29th November 2016, at St John’s Smith Square, Westminster, from 6.15pm onwards.

Have a look at the entries and vote for your favourite here: http://www.ellwoodatfieldgallery.com/

UK Parliament Week is an annual programme of events that engage and connect people from across the country with Parliament, its work and Members. Members’ support is vital to raising the profile and reach of UK Parliament Week across the county.

This year’s it  runs from 14-20 November with lots of activities planned, including:

Photo opportunities 

Throughout UK Parliament Week, there will be a photo opportunity for Members to have their photograph taken with a series democracy themed placards.

Each day the theme will change, focusing on a different way of engaging with Parliament. All members are invited to come along, take a picture, and share with their online following.

Spread the word 

Let your local schools, press and organisations know about UK Parliament Week. Add information about it to your website and promote it on your social media platforms. Please visit our website for the online version of the UK Parliament Week logo goo.gl/OfoS6T.

There is also a Thunderclap campaign thndr.me/vckq0f. By becoming a supporter of the campaign, you can help increase the presence of UK Parliament Week on social media.