About the House of Commons

The House of Commons Commission has four core tasks which are:

Supporting the House and its Committees
Supporting individual Members and their staff
Providing information and access to the public
Maintaining the heritage of the buildings, objects and documents

Our values

The House of Commons Service seeks to achieve high ethical standards, value for money and professional excellence in all that it does. As an employer, the House of Commons Commission recognises and values the diversity of its staff and is committed to fairness and best practice.

As an employer we value integrity, professionalism, teamwork, recognition and commitment.

Our Benefits

28 days annual leave (increasing up to 40 days with continuous service)
Choice of defined benefits pension scheme or defined contributions scheme
Excellent maternity, paternity, adoption and sickness benefits
As a recognised Investors in People (IiP) organisation we offer excellent training and development opportunities
Interest free season ticket or bicycle loan
Wide range of on-site refreshment facilities
Childcare voucher scheme
Membership of an in-house gym on payment of a small fee
Eye care vouchers

Working for the House of Commons and Departments

The House employs approximately 1700 staff who serve with complete political impartiality when dealing with members. We are based in various buildings, including the Palace, that form the Parliamentary Estate in Westminster and are employed by the House of Commons Commission. We are not part of the government of the day and are not Civil Servants. We are involved in a wide range of activities such as the procedure of the House, security, housekeeping, provision of information, accounting, reporting debates and catering.

Departments of the House

Staff of the House of Commons are employed by the House of Commons Commission. Approximately 1,700 members of staff work across the following departments.

Office of the Chief Executive

The Office of the Chief Executive supports the Clerk of the House in his role as chief executive of the House of Commons Service. It provides the secretariat of the Board of Management and its sub-committees; coordinates the work of the Board with that of the House of Commons Commission and the Finance and Services Committee; and is where the House's media relations and internal communications functions are based.

Head of Department: The Clerk of the House (Chief Executive)

Department of Chamber and Committee Services

Responsible for providing advice and services to the House, the Speaker and the Deputy Speakers, to the Committees appointed by the House, and to individual Members. Other responsibilities include ceremonial; security services the production and publication of reports of proceedings in the House of Commons chamber and standing committees in the form of official reports. These reports are generally known as Hansard.

Head of Department: The Clerk of the House

Department of Information Services

Responsibilities include providing research, analysis and information services for the House of Commons. Its major responsibility is to serve Members of Parliament and their staff. It also provides services for the staff of the House to assist with the performance of official duties and is responsible for the House of Commons Information Office and the joint Parliamentary Education Service.

Head of Department: Director General of Information Services

Department of Resources

To provide corporate HR and finance services. It is also responsible for the payment of salaries, pensions and allowances to Members, and for medical, health & safety, welfare and travel services.

Head of Department: Director General of Resources

Department of Facilities

Is responsible for the management of the parliamentary estate. This includes long term planning and strategy for the estate and providing expert curatorial advice on the preservation of the Palace of Westminster as a world class heritage site. Also responsible for delivering maintenance within the parliamentary estate. This involves placing contracts, planning and delivery of in-year maintenance work and management of capital projects throughout the estate. Other responsibilities include providing meals and other refreshments to Members, staff and others who work in or visit the Parliamentary Estate. Plus providing banqueting services and managing the souvenir kiosks.

Head of Department: Director General of Facilities

Parliamentary Information and Communications Technology (PICT)

PICT works for Parliament in delivering a superior IT service, expertise on business process change and greater training opportunities to Members of the House of Commons, Members of the House of Lords and staff of both Houses. PICT has combined expert knowledge and skills from both Houses, covering disciplines such as IT, Project Management, Business Analysis and Change Management. Our aim is: "To be a world leader in the provision, support and exploitation of ICT within Parliaments".

Head of Department: Director of Parliamentary ICT

The latest vacancies with PICT can be found at www.pict-careers.org.uk

Further information on Parliament can be found at www.parliament.uk