Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme publishes fifth Annual Report

The ICGS provides over 15,000 people within the parliamentary community - including staff of both Houses, MPs, Peers, and their staff - with confidential advice and support through an independent helpline, as well as the means to make a complaint of bullying, harassment and/or sexual misconduct to an independent investigator. It is the first scheme of its kind in any legislature across the world, and is an important step forward in tackling inappropriate behaviour in Parliament.

Since it was established 5 years ago, the ICGS has produced an annual report, outlining the operation of the scheme and highlighting some of the key developments within each respective timeframe. This year’s report covers the period July 2022 - June 2023. The report also includes relevant statistics on areas such as case numbers, outreach and timeframes.

This year, the ICGS has:

• Seen the average time taken to conclude cases reduce by 26 working days.
• Recruited 27 new investigators from a variety of sectors.
• Overseen the implementation of 32 out of 33 recommendations made in Alison Stanley’s 18 month Review.
• Created 5 new guides to help clarify structures and practices.
• Undertaken 42 outreach events, reaching over 4,500 people within the parliamentary community.

Building on from the 6-month and 18-month reviews of the Scheme, another external review is due to commence shortly. The terms of reference have now been agreed and further updates are expected upon the announcement of the reviewer. Publication of the review will be in Spring 2024.

About the ICGS

The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) represents a commitment from both Houses to create a modern workplace where people can work without fear of bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct.

The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme is for all current and former members of the parliamentary community. It’s the first of its kind in any Parliament in the world and is an important step forward in tackling inappropriate behaviour in our workplace.

Bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct have absolutely no place in Parliament, and we take any complaint of unacceptable behaviour extremely seriously. We remain committed to ensuring that lasting cultural change can be achieved here.

Director of the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme, Thea Walton, said:

“I wish to thank my team for their support since taking on my new role as Director of the ICGS in March. Their hard work and dedication to improving the complaints process, can be seen in the marked improvements and achievements we have made together over the past year.

"There is of course more work to be done. Ensuring good quality and timely investigations is a real priority, as is ensuring our way of working is truly service user focussed. It is crucial to the scheme’s success and the parliamentary community’s confidence in it. I feel confident that this Report demonstrates that we are moving in the right direction. Improvements can already be seen. 

"I know we can go further, and I’m confident that we will.”