- Opening new buildings or projects that the Government has helped to fund
- Speaking at conferences or other events
- Launching Government initiatives
- Gaining first hand experience of good practice and
- Company achievements or successful partnerships.
Invitations for Ministerial visits
Ministers may make regional visits to bring the public's attention to a new policy, or the launch of a key report or consultation.
Often, a visit is a result of an invitation. Ministers receive a large number of invitations from individuals, local councils and other public bodies, companies and partnerships to visit. They receive far more invitations that they can ever accept, and their diaries are usually booked up far ahead.
The Minister’s Private Office is responsible for managing the Ministerial diary. In some cases, an invitation may be passed on to another Minister, especially when the purpose of the visit may fall under another Minister’s responsibilities. Information about individual responsibilities of Ministers can be found through their parent department websites. (Follow the About Us link at the bottom of this page).
Organising Ministerial visits
We play a key role in organising Government Ministers' visits to the South West, by suggesting a programme of visits using our local knowledge and contacts in the region.
We are also asked to brief Ministers on local issues that may be raised with them. We work closely with the Government News Network on arranging media opportunities for Ministers during their visits.
When visits are arranged, there is always the possibility of a late cancellation because of Parliamentary business.
Advising Ministers
We also advise Ministers on local issues in the South West. This information can help Ministers to:
- Reply to correspondence received from a Member of Parliament and other people in the region. Sometimes, we may be asked to reply to a letter on a Ministers’ behalf
- Respond to a Parliamentary Question raised by a Member of Parliament for an oral or written answer and
- Prepare for a Parliamentary debate in the Houses of Parliament.
GOSW contacts
Within Government Office for the South West there are two teams that manage Ministerial Business. They are organised geographically: the Plymouth Team deals with with Devon and Cornwall, and the team based in Bristol deals with the rest of the South West region.
