Question

To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether the Commission is taking steps to help increase (a) scientific and (b) statistical literacy among (i) MPs and (ii) MPs' staff.

The Research and Information Team (R&I) leads on much of the House’s work to support Members and their staff with their research and information needs, including those of a scientific and statistical nature.

The team provides direct statistical and scientific support to MPs and their staff through the Enquiry Service. In 2022/23, 18,000 individual Member research requests were handled across all topic areas.

The team publishes resources to help parliamentarians engage with scientific and statistical issues, including:

• Library briefings on How to spot spin and inappropriate use of statistics how to design effective charts and how to design effective statistical tables
• POST guides to common scientific research terms, interpreting scientific evidence, and data analysis

The team provides wider statistical and scientific support to MPs and their staff through events and training. For example, in 2023 the Library hosted:

• A talk by the Office for National Statistics on how it measures the economy
• Evidence Week in collaboration with the charity Sense About Science and in partnership with Ipsos, the UK Statistics Authority and universities and research institutions from across the UK. More than 160 MPs, Peers and staff participated.

The Library provides courses to enhance research skills, such as a course on finding scientific content and on how to use the Library’s specialist scientific and statistical resources.

In addition to the work conducted by R&I, the Members’ Services Team (which leads on general training for Members’ staff) and the Select Committee Team (which supports Committee Members) may also meet requests for scientific or statistical training, or work with R&I to address the need.