Labour MPs Push For "Healthier" Parliament By Tightening Alcohol Sales And Creating More Natural Light

Eight Labour MPs are expected to submit recommendations to the Modernisation Committee, which will draw upon evidence from other workplaces in the private and public sector.

The group of MPs, who want Parliament to be a “healthier” working environment, include Dr Beccy Cooper, Cat Eccles, Dr Simon Opher, Lizzi Collinge, Julia Buckley, and Kevin McKenna. Former shadow ministers Dr Rosena Allin-Khan and Stella Creasy are also working on the proposals.

The Modernisation Committee is a new committee created in the House of Commons by the Labour Government. It will consider proposals from MPs about how working practices and procedures in Parliament can be reformed before making recommendations. 

Cooper, the Labour MP for Worthing West, told PoliticsHome it was a “privilege” to work in Westminster but said she wanted to suggest changes to how it operates. 

The Labour MPs' proposals will look at the availability of alcohol sold on the premises. Politicians, staff and journalists can purchase and drink alcohol at several venues in Parliament including the popular Strangers Bar and Sports and Social bar.

Cooper also wants to diversify paintings displayed on the walls of Parliament to reflect a modern and “changing” Westminster.

"Westminster is a changing place, with more women MPs, people from ethnic minorities and people with disabilities,” Cooper said. “It would be great to see this change increasingly represented in the artwork around the estate, providing encouragement and inspiration for future generations of politicians.”

PoliticsHome understands the group will urge the Modernisation Committee to look at improving ventilation within Parliament and creating more natural light within the building, including in the Palace of Westminster. The proposals could also look at recommending more places to work, regular breaks for staff and greater access to green spaces. 

Cooper said the recommendations had not been finalised at the time of writing but would "likely reflect evidence already available on healthy workplaces".

“This includes considerations about the physical working environment, including lighting in buildings, access to green space, noise levels, regular desk set-up assessments and food and beverage availability on the Westminster estate.

“Alongside this, it is accepted that all who work in Westminster will often need to work long hours, but in order to maximise work productivity and wellbeing, core working hours should be managed well, and flexible working options considered,” she said.

Cooper said it would probably be easier for staff to benefit from the proposals as opposed to MPs given the latter often stay in Parliament late to participate in votes. But she said it would be a positive step for the Committee to consider “options for improvement in terms of scheduling debate and voting times”.

The Modernisation Committee is made up of 14 MPs including eight from Labour, three Conservatives, two Lib Dems and the independent MP Mike Amesbury, who had the Labour whip suspended in October.  

The Committee has called for written submissions with a deadline of 3pm on 16 December 2024. 

In an interview with PoliticsHome in August, Green MP Ellie Chowns said she wanted to reform Parliament by redesigning the House of Commons chamber as a hemicycle. She believed the new design would foster more co-operation among parliamentarians and create a larger seating area for MPs.

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