AN INCREASE in calls to a counselling helpline for workers in Parliament underlines the need to tackle “systemic issues” including bullying and sexual misconduct, unions said today.

Calls made to the 24-hour helpline rose by nearly 10 per cent to 1,073 in the year up to April 30, according to figures obtained by the Press Association. 

Of those, 979 were from House of Commons staff and 94 from people working for MPs, with some 442 concerning mental health issues.