Ministers and Private Office

Listing page 2


Drafting PQs  Guide

Parliamentary Questions (PQs) allow any MP or any Peer to seek information or request action on any subject within the responsibility of a government department. PQs are either: oral and …


Draft a speech  Guide

Before you start, ask yourself: Audience size, status, age, profile, interests, agenda? what does the audience want to hear? what does the minister want to say to them? What: is …


Minister briefings  Task

Assume that ministers require briefing for all meetings, visits and engagements unless told otherwise by Private Office. Briefings prepare ministers for meetings or engagements. They cover: information on who they will …


External correspondence process  Task

You may need to give substantial input, as a policy official, to incoming external correspondence responses. The Ministerial Support Team (MST) manage and coordinate the process, in most cases drafting …


Freedom of Information (FOI) requests guide  Guide

Quick reference for FOI requests plus links to further guidance


Get something in a minister’s diary  Task

Ministers get a large number of invitations for meetings, speaking engagements and other events. Give clear, informed advice on what is and isn’t a priority.


Know when parliament is in recess  Task

Access Parliamentary recess information on the Parliament website.


Meetings with ministers  Guide

Get the most out of your meeting with effective preparation; you’ll find the session extremely interesting and rewarding.  Ask Private Office beforehand any questions you might have about the meeting, …


Oral ministerial statements  Guide

When ministers make a major policy announcement, they have a duty to inform Parliament as early as possible. Oral statements may be made after oral questions on each day Parliament …


Parliamentary debates  Task

These are adjournment debates and balloted debates. More Watch a Lords debate live Watch a Commons debate live Debates information on the Parliament website Ajournment debates information on the Parliament …