To all Members

At its meeting last month, the Members Estimate Committee agreed that the House should subscribe to a confidential helpline for all Members’ staff. This service will act as a safety net designed to complement the existing pastoral care and the internal processes that have been put in place by the main political parties.

I am pleased to announce that Heath Assured have been commissioned to provide this service, which will be run initially as a pilot scheme for a year, commencing today. If the pilot proves successful, a full tender process will take place later this year.

Health Assured offer a confidential telephone helpline to allow staff to discuss personal and professional issues, including health and well-being information, financial issues including debt, stress at home or work, and relationship matters. Additionally, face-to-face counselling sessions can be offered where appropriate.

A range of online facilities is also available. Communications will be sent to all staff in the coming days and I hope you will also promote the service within your Westminster and constituency offices. 

John Bercow

Speaker

The consensus among parliamentary researchers is that Bercow’s vanity hotline will do nothing to change the culture of pervy MPs…