Wales outreach

The Wales Parliamentary Outreach service aims to create awareness of the work of Parliament and show how the debates and decisions of the House of Commons and House of Lords are relevant to the area.

The Parliamentary Outreach service also promotes engagement with the processes of Parliament, demonstrating how the public can get involved at a local and national level.

Working with Parliamentary Outreach

In partnership with organisations such as Voices for Change Cymru, Minority Ethnic Women's Network Wales and the Fawcett Society, Parliamentary Outreach in Wales organises and participates in free training sessions, events and exhibitions.

Parliamentary Outreach activities in Wales

The following are examples of the types of events that Parliamentary Outreach can organise or participate in:

If you are interested in holding an event with Parliamentary Outreach, please contact Chris Blanchett at blanchettc@parliament.uk.

Parliament news for Wales

Related information

Contact details

For further information on how your organisation can get involved with Parliamentary Outreach in Wales, please contact:

Chris Blanchett
Parliamentary Outreach
Houses of Parliament
London SW1A 0AA
T: 020 7219 4993 
E: blanchettc@parliament.uk

Devolution and reserved powers


The National Assembly for Wales has responsibility for a number of matters (known as devolved matters). These include health, education and housing.

However, the UK Parliament still has responsibility for certain matters (known as reserved matters) including:

  • Civil and criminal law
  • Constitutional matters
  • Foreign policy, defence and relations with the EU
  • Taxation
  • Overseas trade
  • Employment legislation and social security
Welsh Referendum 2011


On 3 March, a referendum was held in Wales on whether the National Assembly should be able to make laws on the 20 areas for which it has powers, without first needing the UK Parliament's agreement to give the Assembly the necessary powers. 63.5 per cent voted in favour. It is anticipated that the new powers will come into force on 5 May 2011.

Welsh Affairs Committee

The Welsh Affairs Committee is a select committee of the House of Commons.

It examines reserved matters within the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Wales (including relations with the National Assembly for Wales).