On Friday 5 December the Politics Programme once again played host to the Parliamentary Outreach team. As part of the ongoing partnership between Dr Mark Bennister, Senior Lecturer in Politics and the Parliamentary Outreach team CCCU welcomed Kate Anderson, South East Regional Outreach Officer and Mary Brown, Speaker’s Parliamentary Placement Scheme.

Kate led a session exploring the core functions of parliament and outlined reforms in the Commons and Lords. Kate also spoke of her time as a Hansard reporter in the Commons. Mary told the students of her current role in the Leader of the Opposition, Ed Miliband’s Office. The programme is planning further sessions engaging with parliamentary practitioners as part of a coordinated approach aimed at improving knowledge of and engagement with parliament.