Background

Regional Ministers were introduced in June 2007 to strengthen links between Whitehall and the English regions. The proposals were contained in the Governance of Britain Green Paper, which sets out the wider constitutional reform.

As Regional Minister for the North West, Beverley Hughes acts as ambassador for the region, representing its interests in Whitehall. She will also represent central government policy at regional select committee hearings and at parliamentary debates focused specifically on the region.

The Regional Minister will also advise the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on the approval of regional strategies and appointment of RDA Chairs and Boards.

Since November she has been Chair of the Joint Economic Commission North West to help the region deal with the consequences of the current economic downturn and be best placed to prosper at its conclusion..