Independent Complaints and Grievances Scheme proactively published statistics

In July 2018 the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme was published, comprising; a Behaviour Code (PDF PDF 440 KB) for everybody working or visiting the parliamentary estate, a new policy for dealing with allegations of bullying and harassment and a separate policy for dealing with allegations of sexual misconduct.

Underpinning the two policies are two new helplines, an independent investigation process and culture change work, with the aim of creating a Parliament that leads the world as an example of a safe and respectful place to work and visit.

The House of Commons (including the Parliamentary Digital Service) and the House of Lords are committed to publishing anonymised data on the services brought in under the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme.

Figures will be published quarterly.  To protect the confidentiality of those reporting, we will only publish exact numbers where they exceed 10 or more.

The following statistics relate to the Independent Bullying and Harassment Reporting Helpline and the Independent Sexual Misconduct Advisory Service. The helplines are open to all members of the Parliamentary community.

1. Calls and emails to the helplines

Date range Call and emails
19 July 2018 – 30 September 2018 51
1 October 2018 – 31 December 2018    201
1 January to 31 March 2019 293
1 April to 30 June 2019  238

2. Number of unique callers to the helpline

Date range Unique callers
19 July 2018 – 30 September 2018   26
1 October 2018 – 31 December 2018   86
1 January to 31 March 2019   82
1 April to 30 June 2019 91

3.  Number of investigations commenced in each quarter

Date Range No. of investigations commenced in the quarter
19 July 2018 – 30 September 2018   Less than 10
1 October 2018 – 31 December 2018 14
1 January to 31 March 2019 10
1 April to 30 June 2019 Less than 10

The quarter 1 April to 30 June 2019 includes investigations commenced either by the Independent Investigations Service or by the independent House of Lords Commissioner for Standards for complaints against members of the House of Lords or their staff, following changes to the Lords Codes of Conduct agreed on 30 April. Figures for previous quarters include only investigations commenced by the Independent Investigation Service.

When interpreting the figures, it is worth noting that proceeding to an investigation is only one option that may be taken forward.