The Speaker’s Conference has been established to consider the employment conditions ofMembers’ staff, in order to ensure a more inclusive and respectful working environment.
Currently, Members of Parliament directly employ their own staff, requiring each MP toact like a small business, managing recruitment, retention and development of their staff,as well as handling any issues that might arise in the course of employment.
The Conference will examine the current contractual arrangements through whichMembers employ their staff, and present recommendations as to whether there is sufficientevidence in favour of changing the current arrangements.
It will seek to establish the challenges arising from the existing provisions for employmentof Members’ staff. It will consider whether changes to the contractual arrangements forstaff, and/ or other practicable changes to the support provided to Members and Members’staff by the House authorities, could deliver improved support for Members and Members’staff, and in doing so promote a more inclusive and respectful working environment.
It will also consider the benefits of the current arrangements for both Members andMembers’ staff and explore how these can be maintained in any future arrangements.