Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what training his Department has provided to (a) general civil servants, (b) fast stream civil servants and (c) senior civil servants on understanding the scrutiny and legislative roles of the UK Parliament; how many such courses have taken place; and how many civil servants have attended such training courses in each of the last five years.

All civil servants have access to the central learning offer provided through Civil Service Learning. There are one-day workshops on Understanding Parliament, which are delivered at Foundation (introduction) and Practitioner (advanced) levels. Both of these workshops cover Parliament’s scrutiny and legislative roles. The Department for Exiting the European Union has delivered the Understanding Parliament Foundation and Practitioner training courses to 66 staff since April 2017.

As part of a blended approach to delivering training, and providing resources to help individuals while on the job, Civil Service Learning provides online resources, such as weblinks, guides and videos. There is an e-learning course on Understanding Parliament, and access to two comprehensive Open Online Courses (on Understanding Parliament and Select Committees) which have been produced in partnership between the House of Commons and Future Learn, a digital education platform owned by the Open University.

Fast Stream civil servants receive a Parliament workshop during their induction, covering the role of Parliament in scrutinising government policy. All Fast Streamers are expected to have attended this induction. For Policy Professionals, there is an optional workshop which focuses on the legislative process in both Houses, typical timetables and roles of Ministers, Bill Teams and civil servants in delivering legislation.

For Senior Civil Servants, a tailored one-day workshop, Leading in Parliament, is available, which covers Parliament’s role, powers and relationship with government, the day-to-day work of MPs and Peers. A workshop delivered jointly between Civil Service Learning and HM Treasury is provided for Accounting Officers. Civil Service Learning provides a workshop specifically for Senior Responsible Officers with responsibility for secondary legislation. Every department has an SCS Parliamentary Champion and there is a buddy system in place between Parliamentary Champions and senior House staff.