House of Commons staff should have been consulted in roadmap on return to Westminster

Trade unions representing staff at the House of Commons have expressed “extreme disappointment” at the publication yesterday of a roadmap from the House of Commons Commission aimed at returning attendance at Westminster to pre COVID levels over the coming months, which was created without any consultation with the very people who will be required to make it work; the staff.

The roadmap which proposes a phased return of staff to the Palace, including the reopening of gyms and retail outlets next month, will be discussed by the Commission at its meeting on Monday.

Prospect deputy general secretary Garry Graham said:

“It is extremely disappointing that the Speaker and the Commission have felt able to put a detailed plan to increase the number of staff in Westminster into the public domain without consulting or even informing the very individuals they will depend on to make this plan work.

“Staff are committed to ensuring the continued functioning of parliament and an early sight of these proposals would have allowed the staff and unions to make constructive suggestions based on their knowledge of the workings of the building.

“We will now carefully study the roadmap and consult members to assess whether this Commission proposal meets our objective of maintaining the functioning of parliament while keeping those who work there safe.”