INTERPARLIAMENTARY RELATIONS OFFICE HOUSE OF COMMONS

UKPSP’27 Programme Guide

UK Parliament Study Programme 2027 Visits & Engagement | Interparliamentary Relations Office | House of Commons | London SW1A 0AA

[email protected]

UKPSP’27 Programme Guide [10/26] Page 2 of 4

UKPSP’27 PROGRAMME GUIDE

Introduction The Interparliamentary Relations Office (IPRO) invites applications from senior parliamentary officials to participate in the UK Parliament Study Programme 2027 (UKPSP’27). This programme provides an opportunity for professional exchange and learning between parliamentary officials from different legislatures, while developing a deeper understanding of the work of the UK Parliament.

UKPSP’27 combines a series of online sessions with an in-person study visit to Westminster. The programme draws on the expertise of officials from across the House of Commons and House of Lords and examines both procedural and corporate aspects of parliamentary administration.

This guide relates to the UKPSP’27. Subject to operational requirements and organisational priorities, IPRO may offer additional study or engagement opportunities for parliamentary officials during 2027, details of which would be advertised separately.

Who Should Apply? The UKPSP’27 is intended for senior parliamentary officials whose responsibilities may include:

• Parliamentary procedure and Chamber services • Committee services and legislative scrutiny • Corporate governance and administration • Strategy and organisational development • Public engagement and outreach • Leadership and management responsibilities

Applicants must have a high standard of spoken and written English in order to participate fully in programme discussions and activities.

Programme Overview The UKPSP’27 is IPRO’s flagship professional development programme for parliamentary officials. It is designed to facilitate professional exchange between legislatures and provide participants with insight into the practical operation of the UK Parliament.

A distinctive feature of the programme is that elements of the content are informed by the professional interests of participants. Following selection, participants will be invited to identify areas of relevance to their work, helping to shape aspects of the programme.

Places are limited to ten participants to support discussion, engagement and peer learning.

Programme Structure Online Sessions Participants will take part in four online sessions between February and May 2027, each lasting no more than two hours.

UKPSP’27 Programme Guide [10/26] Page 3 of 4

The first session will provide an introduction to the UK Parliament and the programme. Subsequent sessions will be tailored, where possible, to reflect participants’ professional interests and priorities. Topics may include:

• Chamber and procedural services • Legislative and select committee scrutiny • Public engagement and outreach • Organisational culture and transformation

All online sessions will take place via Microsoft Teams and are expected to be held during UK parliamentary working hours (see Key Dates below).

Westminster Study Visit The programme concludes with a five-day visit to the UK Parliament in Westminster.

The visit is designed to provide participants with the opportunity to observe the UK Parliament in operation and to engage directly with parliamentary officials. Activities may include:

• Meetings with senior officials • Observation of parliamentary business • Parliamentary estate tours • Engagement with both House of Commons and House of Lords officials • Meetings tailored to participants’ professional interests

The visit is currently anticipated to take place in June 2027 (see Key Dates below).

Learning Objectives By the conclusion of the UKPSP’27, participants should be able to:

• Develop a broader understanding of the operation of the UK Parliament • Compare approaches used across different legislatures • Strengthen professional networks with parliamentary colleagues internationally • Identify practices and approaches relevant to their own institution • Enhance understanding of both procedural and corporate parliamentary functions

Participants will also join an established network of programme alumni from legislatures across the world.

House of Lords Contribution The UKPSP’27 is delivered in partnership with colleagues from the House of Lords Interparliamentary Relations Office.

The programme includes dedicated engagement with the House of Lords and an opportunity to explore its distinctive procedural and administrative functions.

Nomination and Application Process To promote broad representation and diversity of engagement across legislatures, participation in UKPSP’27 is limited to one official per legislature. Legislatures should therefore nominate only one applicant.

Applications should be submitted using the UKPSP’27 Application Form and accompanied by a letter or email from the Clerk, Secretary General, or equivalent senior official confirming:

• The applicant’s nomination; • Support for participation in the programme; and

UKPSP’27 Programme Guide [10/26] Page 4 of 4

• Agreement to cover all associated travel, accommodation and subsistence costs.

The UK Parliament is committed to ensuring that the programme is accessible and inclusive and will work with participants to identify and implement appropriate adjustments where possible.

Where applications exceed available places, selections will be made by IPRO based on programme objectives and overall participant mix.

Financial Arrangements There is no fee for participation in the UK Parliament Study Programme.

Participants’ legislatures are responsible for the costs associated with attendance at the Westminster visit, including:

• International and domestic travel • Accommodation • Subsistence • Visa-related costs, where applicable.

IPRO is unable to arrange travel or accommodation on behalf of participants.

Key Dates Applicants should ensure that, if selected, they are available to participate in all four online sessions and the five-day Westminster study visit in London. The programme is expected to take place according to the schedule set out below.

Activity Date

Application deadline by Monday 23 November 2026

Online Session 1: Welcome and Introduction to the UK Parliament Study Programme and UK Parliament

Thursday 25 February 2027*

Online Session 2: Topic tailored for participants Thursday 25 March 2027*

Online Session 3: Topic tailored for participants Thursday 22 April 2027*

Online Session 4: Topic tailored for participants Thursday 20 May 2027*

Westminster Visit Monday 28 June to Friday 2 July 2027

*Online sessions are expected to take place between 10:00 and 12:00 (UK Time). Final timings will be confirmed closer to the programme start date.

Important Notice Due to the nature of parliamentary business, programme dates and activities may be amended, postponed, or cancelled at short notice.

Contact UK Parliament Study Programme Team Interparliamentary Relations Office House of Commons London SW1A 0AA Email: [email protected]

INTERPARLIAMENTARY RELATIONS OFFICE HOUSE OF COMMONS

UKPSP’27 Programme Guide

UK Parliament Study Programme 2027 Visits & Engagement | Interparliamentary Relations Office | House of Commons | London SW1A 0AA

[email protected]

UKPSP’27 Programme Guide [10/26] Page 2 of 4

UKPSP’27 PROGRAMME GUIDE

Introduction The Interparliamentary Relations Office (IPRO) invites applications from senior parliamentary officials to participate in the UK Parliament Study Programme 2027 (UKPSP’27). This programme provides an opportunity for professional exchange and learning between parliamentary officials from different legislatures, while developing a deeper understanding of the work of the UK Parliament.

UKPSP’27 combines a series of online sessions with an in-person study visit to Westminster. The programme draws on the expertise of officials from across the House of Commons and House of Lords and examines both procedural and corporate aspects of parliamentary administration.

This guide relates to the UKPSP’27. Subject to operational requirements and organisational priorities, IPRO may offer additional study or engagement opportunities for parliamentary officials during 2027, details of which would be advertised separately.

Who Should Apply? The UKPSP’27 is intended for senior parliamentary officials whose responsibilities may include:

• Parliamentary procedure and Chamber services • Committee services and legislative scrutiny • Corporate governance and administration • Strategy and organisational development • Public engagement and outreach • Leadership and management responsibilities

Applicants must have a high standard of spoken and written English in order to participate fully in programme discussions and activities.

Programme Overview The UKPSP’27 is IPRO’s flagship professional development programme for parliamentary officials. It is designed to facilitate professional exchange between legislatures and provide participants with insight into the practical operation of the UK Parliament.

A distinctive feature of the programme is that elements of the content are informed by the professional interests of participants. Following selection, participants will be invited to identify areas of relevance to their work, helping to shape aspects of the programme.

Places are limited to ten participants to support discussion, engagement and peer learning.

Programme Structure Online Sessions Participants will take part in four online sessions between February and May 2027, each lasting no more than two hours.

UKPSP’27 Programme Guide [10/26] Page 3 of 4

The first session will provide an introduction to the UK Parliament and the programme. Subsequent sessions will be tailored, where possible, to reflect participants’ professional interests and priorities. Topics may include:

• Chamber and procedural services • Legislative and select committee scrutiny • Public engagement and outreach • Organisational culture and transformation

All online sessions will take place via Microsoft Teams and are expected to be held during UK parliamentary working hours (see Key Dates below).

Westminster Study Visit The programme concludes with a five-day visit to the UK Parliament in Westminster.

The visit is designed to provide participants with the opportunity to observe the UK Parliament in operation and to engage directly with parliamentary officials. Activities may include:

• Meetings with senior officials • Observation of parliamentary business • Parliamentary estate tours • Engagement with both House of Commons and House of Lords officials • Meetings tailored to participants’ professional interests

The visit is currently anticipated to take place in June 2027 (see Key Dates below).

Learning Objectives By the conclusion of the UKPSP’27, participants should be able to:

• Develop a broader understanding of the operation of the UK Parliament • Compare approaches used across different legislatures • Strengthen professional networks with parliamentary colleagues internationally • Identify practices and approaches relevant to their own institution • Enhance understanding of both procedural and corporate parliamentary functions

Participants will also join an established network of programme alumni from legislatures across the world.

House of Lords Contribution The UKPSP’27 is delivered in partnership with colleagues from the House of Lords Interparliamentary Relations Office.

The programme includes dedicated engagement with the House of Lords and an opportunity to explore its distinctive procedural and administrative functions.

Nomination and Application Process To promote broad representation and diversity of engagement across legislatures, participation in UKPSP’27 is limited to one official per legislature. Legislatures should therefore nominate only one applicant.

Applications should be submitted using the UKPSP’27 Application Form and accompanied by a letter or email from the Clerk, Secretary General, or equivalent senior official confirming:

• The applicant’s nomination; • Support for participation in the programme; and

UKPSP’27 Programme Guide [10/26] Page 4 of 4

• Agreement to cover all associated travel, accommodation and subsistence costs.

The UK Parliament is committed to ensuring that the programme is accessible and inclusive and will work with participants to identify and implement appropriate adjustments where possible.

Where applications exceed available places, selections will be made by IPRO based on programme objectives and overall participant mix.

Financial Arrangements There is no fee for participation in the UK Parliament Study Programme.

Participants’ legislatures are responsible for the costs associated with attendance at the Westminster visit, including:

• International and domestic travel • Accommodation • Subsistence • Visa-related costs, where applicable.

IPRO is unable to arrange travel or accommodation on behalf of participants.

Key Dates Applicants should ensure that, if selected, they are available to participate in all four online sessions and the five-day Westminster study visit in London. The programme is expected to take place according to the schedule set out below.

Activity Date

Application deadline by Monday 23 November 2026

Online Session 1: Welcome and Introduction to the UK Parliament Study Programme and UK Parliament

Thursday 25 February 2027*

Online Session 2: Topic tailored for participants Thursday 25 March 2027*

Online Session 3: Topic tailored for participants Thursday 22 April 2027*

Online Session 4: Topic tailored for participants Thursday 20 May 2027*

Westminster Visit Monday 28 June to Friday 2 July 2027

*Online sessions are expected to take place between 10:00 and 12:00 (UK Time). Final timings will be confirmed closer to the programme start date.

Important Notice Due to the nature of parliamentary business, programme dates and activities may be amended, postponed, or cancelled at short notice.

Contact UK Parliament Study Programme Team Interparliamentary Relations Office House of Commons London SW1A 0AA Email: [email protected]