The House of Commons Service supports the House and its MPs in performing their parliamentary duties, and provides public
access and information to help increase understanding of the role of Parliament.
We work for Parliament rather than the Government, so employees are not civil servants - but our terms and conditions are very
similar. We employ around 1700 staff across four departments, each providing its own specialist advice and resources. We are all
passionate about our work, and we seek out talented individuals who share our enthusiasm and can bring the skills and experience we
need to help us provide the best possible services.
Our staff work in a range of different roles and at all levels. But no matter where you find yourself or what you're doing, you
will be working in a stimulating and unique environment at the very heart of democracy in the United Kingdom.
The House is committed to provide a work environment that is fair to all and where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
The House of Commons Service recognises and values the diversity of its staff and is committed to developing working practices
which will allow every member of staff to contribute his or her best, regardless of race, sex, marital status, religion or belief,
age, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or any other irrelevant factor.
The House of Commons Service
The House of Commons Service is divided into four departments:
- Chamber and Committee Services
- Facilities
- Information Services
- Resources
There is also a small Office of the Chief Executive, and the separate Parliamentary Information and Communications Technology
Service (PICT), which also works for the House of Lords.
Each department provides specific services to MPs, their staff and the public. The Management Board oversees the House Service
and is attended by the Director General of each department and the Clerk of the House. The service is ultimately accountable to
the Speaker and the House of Commons Commission.
Click on the House of Commons department titles for more information:
The Department of Chamber and Committee Services
The Department of Chamber and Committee Services supports the business of the House and its committees. Three
directorates provide procedural advice and secretariat services to the House, the Speaker and the Deputy Speakers, to the
committees appointed by the House, and to individual MPs. The department also reports the proceedings of the House and
committees (Hansard) and is responsible for ceremonial and security services (Serjeant at Arms).
The Department of Facilities
The Department of Facilities manages the Parliamentary Estate and provides a safe and functioning environment for
everyone working in or visiting Parliament. This includes long term estate planning, the provision of expert advice on the
preservation of the Palace of Westminster as a World Heritage Site, planning and delivery of maintenance work, placing
contracts and management of capital projects. The department also manages all office accommodation, cleaning, mail
delivery and room bookings.
The Catering and Retail Services arm of the department provides meals, refreshments and banqueting services and manages
the souvenir kiosks.
The Department of Information Services
The Department of Information Services provides research, analysis, library and information services for the House of
Commons. Its main responsibility is to serve MPs and their staff; it also provides public information services including
outreach, parliamentary education and visitor services, media and communications and online services. The office of the
Curator of Works of Art is also based here.
The Department of Resources
The Department of Resources provides a range of professional and administrative services to the House of Commons.
These include financial and HR services to MPs and their staff, covering pay, pensions, and allowances as well as HR,
finance and other business services to staff of the House. The department also provides leadership in the corporate
development of organisational capability in the areas of finance, human resources, and procurement.
Core Values of the House of Commons
Integrity
We serve the House of Commons, its Committees and Members, and the public, with honesty, probity and political
impartiality.
Professionalism
We strive for excellence, effectiveness, efficiency and accuracy, remaining always open-minded on the prospects for
better ways of delivering our services. We seek to be responsive to changing requirements, and to be outward looking.
Teamwork
We value a co-operative approach, based on mutual support, trust and respect.
Recognition
We are committed to maximising personal development, to valuing diversity and the contribution of all individuals, and
to equality of opportunity.
Commitment
We seek to ensure that the House of Commons is a good place to work, recognising the importance of maintenance of
work-life balance, and seeking to get the most out of the jobs we do.
