The Charity Commission register of charities displays information about how charities are run, and how they manage their finances, including information about salaries paid to senior staff members (in bands, upwards from £60k), whether a charity’s trustees are remunerated and its income, if any, from government contracts. You can search for charities in your constituency…

w4mp has received complaints that people who have been removed from the hotlines list are still being contacted by MPs’ offices. Please can you ensure that you use only the current list which can be found on the intranet here: https://intranet.parliament.uk/Documents/research-online-resources/research/constituency-casework/w4mp-hotlines.pdf Please do not save or print the hotlines list, as this risks you using…

Time: 14:00 Date: Friday 26 February 2021 Where: Online – MS Teams The focus of this month’s session will be dealing with aggressive and abusive constituents, both over the phone, in person and on social media. Our expert speakers are Neil Cahalin (Personal Security Adviser) and David Mair (Social Media and Security Analyst). If you…

Time: 11:00 – 12:00 Date: Friday 19 February 2021 The relationships between well-being and work have long been recognised, however the role of these in the fields of politics and government have not historically received the attention they deserve. Research conducted by psychologists within the UK Parliament has been the focus of a recent report…

The BBRS is a new, independent organisation that seeks to resolve disputes between larger SMEs and participating banks.  It is free for businesses to use and offers an alternative to litigation, which for many SMEs is not a realistic option. The service is now fully live and open to thousands of potential customers around the…

The Learning and Development has arranged some new law training sessions in March.  Please book yourself onto them using the intranet links below. Introduction to housing law: Homelessness https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=3874 Introduction to housing law: Security of tenure  https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=3876 Introduction to housing law: Social housing https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=3877 Introduction to housing law: Disrepair https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=3875 The Law and Special Educational Needs https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=3878 Introduction…

Today, 15 February 2021, marks the 201st birthday of Susan B. Anthony. Susan B Anthony was a lot of things. She was a teacher, a headmistress, a woman’s rights activist but most of all she was a person who devoted her life to creating change. A woman who wasn’t afraid to stand up for what…

The Registrar of Members’ Financial Interests runs workshops for Members and their staff on the following subjects together with the next available dates.  The workshops will be run remotely via MS Teams. A. Openness and Registering Members’ Financial Interests, covering: How to help your Member register and declare interests The rules on paid lobbying by…

Time: 14:00 Date: Friday 26 February 2021 Where: Online – MS Teams The focus of this month’s session will be dealing with aggressive and abusive constituents, both over the phone, in person and on social media. Our expert speakers are Neil Cahalin (Personal Security Adviser) and David Mair (Social Media and Security Analyst). If you…

Our list of Hotline Numbers is one of the most-used W4MP services. Do you (or your organisation) have any MP hotline numbers that aren’t on our list? We often get people emailing us to ask if we have hotline numbers for various organisations or Government departments, and the simple answer is “if it’s not on the…

Did you know that there are several groups which MPs’ staff can join?  There’s sports and social groups, workplace equality networks, religious groups, and groups which provide support and representation. You can find a list of them here: http://www.w4mp.org/w4mp/w4mp-guides/groups-which-staff-can-join/ If you know of any other groups which are open to staff, but we have not…

A new campaign has launched: The Commons, Our Parliament, Play your Part. Its aim is to help colleagues understand how the House of Commons works and connect us to the wider parliamentary community, including Members and Members staff. Have you ever wondered… What goes on behind the scenes of the Chamber and select committees? How…

Sign up to Mindfulness classes, running over the course of six weeks, starting Thursday 18 February. Classes will take place 12 – 1pm every Thursday via Zoom. For further information, please see here: https://intranet.parliament.uk/business-news/news-current-issues/news/2021/february-correct/mindfullness-classes-for-members-staff/

Time to move on? Maybe you have a spare moment to think about making a move? But where to find that new job which rewards you – not just financially but also exploits all those talents which are not properly recognised in your present post? Yes, you’ve guessed it: the w4mpjobs pages! They are here.…

The Society of Conservative Lawyers offers a regular scholarship to reward the recipient for assistance given to the Society in its research activities. The Society of Conservative Lawyers is offering a scholarship of £5,000 for 2022. The scholarship will be awarded to a candidate with a real interest in both law and policy, and who…

At 11:00 every Wednesday, there is an MPs’ Office Managers’ Drop-in on Microsoft Teams. During these meetings, you can learn about and discuss various topic, including, but not limited to: House of Commons updates Security information Information about Parliamentary Digital Services Information about IPSA Information and support relating to wellness and wellbeing You also have…

Issue 20 of The Fortnight is available on the Parliamentary intranet here: https://intranet.parliament.uk/Documents/Fortnight-issue-20.pdf In this issue: Purchase Added Pension Westminster Hall debates suspended Commonwealth Day 2021 Post-Brexit passport validity Windows 10 update: final reminder MS Teams tips Free online talks and tours for your constituents You can view previous issues of The Fortnight here: https://intranet.parliament.uk/business-news/news-current-issues/members-newsletters/the-fortnight/…

Work, stress and wellbeing – some observations over my research career Monday 22nd February 2021, 11am – 12pm The talk will review research on work, stress and wellbeing, highlighting some key findings from studies such as the Whitehall II study on stress and health among civil servants. Professor Chandola will talk about how work stress…

The hotlines list has was updated on 26 26January 2021. Please ensure that you use the most recent version of the list by bookmarking it and accessing it online each time, rather than downloading it to your device.

The Registrar of Members’ Financial Interests runs workshops for Members and their staff on the following subjects together with the next available dates.  The workshops will be run remotely via MS Teams. A. Openness and Registering Members’ Financial Interests, covering: How to help your Member register and declare interests The rules on paid lobbying by…

The People App on the Parliamentary network is a very useful tool – an internal directory which will help you to find not only people’s telephone numbers, but also their email addresses and details of their organisation. So, if you want to contact a member of staff for a particular MP, just put in the…

Important information for people planning on returning to the Parliamentary estate from Monday 11th January 2021. The House of Commons will be returning from recess on Monday 11th January.  Only colleagues necessary to the continued functioning of the Estate and parliamentary business, or related support services, should be working on-site, with all others working remotely. …

What is the Privy Council? The Privy Council is an advisory body to the Monarch; its members are known as Privy Counsellors. It is one of the oldest parts of the UK’s constitutional arrangements, with its origins dating back to at least the thirteenth century. Find out more in this Commons Library Research Briefing which…

One of the most interesting publications of last year was produced by the Learning team in Parliament. It is a booklet for use in schools that contains stories of influential people who have impacted disability related UK laws and equal rights. Launched to mark Disability History Month 2020, this resource can be used throughout the…

From 1 January 2021, passport guidelines are changing. To be eligible to travel to most European countries, on the day of travel, British passport holders must: Have at least 6 months left on their passport, and Have a passport that is less than 10 years old, even if it has 6 months or more left…

Your security clearance lasts for a maximum of three years.  With staff working from home, it’s quite easy to let your security clearance lapse without you realising it.  However, if it does lapse, you will not only lose access to the Parliamentary estate, but you may also lose access to the Parliamentary network – i.e.…

The Parliamentary Constituencies Act received Royal Assent on Tuesday 14 December.  This law will ensure that Parliamentary constituencies in the UK are more equal in size and will make elections fairer. You can read the Government press release here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-law-passed-will-make-voting-in-uk-general-election-fairer The House of Commons Library has some new research documents on the topic. The Parliamentary Constituencies…

The House of Commons Library has produced a downloadable file listing all GP practices located in each UK constituency, based on data from NHS Digital, ISD Scotland and NHS Wales. You can find it here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7293/

As you may be aware, the Members’ Services Team runs a monthly phone-in Q&A session for MPs’ staff. The next one is taking place on Wednesday 16 December, 3-4pm and the theme of this session will be dealing with distressed and suicidal callers. For further information and a link to join the meeting, please see…

At 11:00 every Wednesday, there is an MPs’ Office Managers’ Drop-in on Microsoft Teams. During these meetings, you can learn about and discuss: House of Commons updates Security information Information about Parliamentary Digital Services Information about IPSA Information and support relating to wellness and wellbeing You also have the opportunity to put your questions to…

This House of Commons Library Research Briefing considers the debate about who is responsible for paying for fire safety works on blocks of flats in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire.  It covers progress in implementing the Government decision to fund remediation work for affected blocks with ACM cladding in the social and private…

Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Registrar of Members’ Financial Interests will be holding seminars virtually (via MS Teams) until further notice, with each lasting about an hour. How to Support an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) This seminar will cover: Register entries APPG Secretariats (volunteers, Members’ staff, outside organisations) Members and Officers Meetings (including AGMs,…

The House of Commons Members’ HR Service has produced a Best Practice Guide to Recruitment and Selection. It provides practical advice on efficient and effective recruitment practices. The guide aims to support Members (and their Office Managers) with the tools to attract and recruit people with diverse backgrounds, skills and abilities. Even if you’re not…

The prices of Royal Mail postage stamps will rise on 1 January 2021. A first-class stamp for a standard letter will rise from 76p to 85p A second-class stamp for a standard letter will rise from 65p to 66p A first-class stamp for a large letter will rise £1.15 to £1.29 A second-class stamp for…

The deadline for responding to the ICGS 18 month review survey is this Friday – 4 December 2020. If you have not already done so, please give your views about the scheme online here  ICGS 18 month review survey  You can read more about the review here: http://www.w4mp.org/2020/11/18/important-icgs-18-month-review-survey/

This House of Commons Library Briefing provides a short overview of early years funding in England since the introduction of the new national early years funding formula from 2017-18. https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8052/

Coping with Infertility whilst working in Parliament Wellness Working Group Virtual Meeting Anya Sizer from David Lammy’s Office has very kindly volunteered to be a guest speaker at our next virtual meeting. Not only is Anya a busy parliamentary colleague but she is also the Regional Co-ordinator for the Fertility Network UK and has over…

The Wellness Working Group has a new intranet page, and you can find it here: https://intranet.parliament.uk/people-offices/offices-departments/commons-departments/hr-finance/members-staff-wellness-working-group The Wellness Working Group (WWG) is a cross party group of MPs’ staff which aims to place a greater focus on staff welfare and improve support for the well-being of members’ staff both on and off the Parliamentary Estate.

This House of Commons Library briefing provides an overview of disability discrimination law and explains legal duties to consider the needs of disabled people. Read the research briefing here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9061/

Cash remains a key payment method for more vulnerable people, but its wider use is in decline, accelerated by the pandemic. How will Government and industry protect access to cash? Read the House of Commons Library Briefing here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9054/

Another research briefing from the House of Commons Library: Loot Boxes in Video Games In September 2020, the Government launched a call for evidence into the impact of loot boxes on gambling-like behaviour. This Library Paper gives a brief overview of loot boxes, what the law says, and concerns that have been raised. You can…

The House of Commons Library has produced a research briefing for MPs and their staff to help them to deal with casework involving dissatisfaction with the police including: understanding the police complaints system where to find further information about police complaints how to help constituents make complaints how to help constituents who have already made…

The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) second Annual Review has been published.  You can find further information here: http://www.w4mp.org/w4mp/w4mp-guides/support-in-your-job/harassment-involving-mps-and-staff/icgs-annual-review-2020/

Please see below the message from the Independent Reviewer of the UK Parliament Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme.  You can read more about the scheme here: http://www.w4mp.org/w4mp/w4mp-guides/support-in-your-job/harassment-involving-mps-and-staff/ The independent 18-month review of UK Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) is examining the operation of the Scheme to date, specifically the bullying and harassment and…

The House of Commons Library has produced a full briefing on its series on House of Commons trends.  It looks at statistics on the working and procedures of the House of Commons.  It looks at the composition of the Commons, the Parliamentary mechanisms, time spent on different types of business and staffing among other things.…

Constituents may contact their Member of Parliament seeking advice on military medals.  The House of Commons Library has produced a briefing providing information on eligibility for military medals and how to apply. You can find it here: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7190/

The Commons Library has published a Briefing Paper discussing issues relating to returning to work. It provides an overview of relevant health and safety law and a discussion of Government guidance on working safely in the context of Covid-19. It also includes a discussion of the positions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This is…

The UK’s terrorism threat level has been raised from “substantial” to “severe.  You can learn more about this on the BBC News website here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54799377 Please make sure that you read the guidance on the Parliamentary intranet: https://intranet.parliament.uk/business-news/news-current-issues/news/2020/november/the-uks-terrorism-threat-level/ and read the ‘Run, Hide, Tell’ guidance here: https://www.npcc.police.uk/StaySafeAssets/FINAL%20MPS168715%20Run%20Tell%20Hide%20A5%20Lflt%20Blk%20Eng%20v3.pdf

Whether yours is a new office, or a long-standing one, the Parliamentary Digital Service (PDS) can help you to set up your office technology. You are entitled to computer equipment loaned to you by Parliament for the duration of your MP’s term and PDS can also provide a broadband service for your office. They also…