Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme

30 November 2023 · 3 other contributors · 5,214 words

Opened by Maria Miller Con Basingstoke

Responding minister: Amanda Milling

Standards & Ethics

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Maria Miller raised concerns about independent complaints and grievance scheme in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme faces a backlog, with serious complaints taking an average of 184 working days to resolve.
  • Only about 10% of contacts to the helpline are related to harassment, suggesting the ICGS is overburdened by non-relevant complaints.
  • The Government is conducting a review to assess the performance of the ICGS, focusing on quality and timeliness of investigations.

Key requests to Government

The Government should implement recommendations from the Speaker's Conference on employment conditions for Members' staff, including expanding the budget for an HR department and establishing induction courses. The review must prioritize improving investigation timeliness, setting up an HR pathway, and implementing initial ICGS proposals to support a culture change where all workers feel valued. She urges the review to consider how many of the current issues could have been avoided if they had been put in place as designed, advocating for the full package to be implemented to give the ICGS a proper opportunity to work as originally envisaged.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Maria Miller Con Basingstoke

The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS), established in response to the #MeToo movement, is grappling with issues of bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct. The scheme has faced challenges including a backlog of cases, with serious complaints taking an average of 184 working days to resolve. Only about 10% of contacts to the helpline are related to harassment, indicating that the ICGS is being overburdened by non-relevant complaints due to a lack of alternative HR support for staff. The lead MP is concerned about the implementation of the ICGS, noting that not all original proposals have been implemented or adhered to. She highlighted issues such as training and HR processes that have not yet come to fruition.

Other contributors (3)
  • Deidre Brock SNP Glasgow North West

    The SNP welcomes progress made on the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme, supporting efforts to improve workplace safety and protect workers. While appreciating improvements such as reduced investigation times and additional guidance resources, concerns remain about transparency in process while maintaining confidentiality for individuals involved. The report highlights issues like power imbalances and alcohol culture, suggesting stricter measures against repeat offenders. Support is expressed for expanding the Members' Services Team into a comprehensive support service for both MPs and their staff.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Asked the right hon. Lady to confirm that complaints, if upheld, can be dealt with within a 28-day timescale.

  • Nick Smith Lab Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney

    The ICGS has been an effective mechanism for addressing instances of poor behaviour, but the time taken to resolve complaints remains too long. The MP welcomes improvements in reducing resolution times by 26 working days on average, yet calls for further speed-ups in investigations and a risk-based exclusion process for MPs arrested for serious offences.

Government Response

Amanda Milling

The Minister congratulated Dame Maria Miller on securing the debate and outlined the importance of the ICGS in addressing bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct. She mentioned a review launched to assess the performance of the ICGS with terms focusing on quality and timeliness. The Minister also discussed ongoing considerations around risk-based exclusion, emphasizing the need for a safe working environment for all parliamentary staff.

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