Welsh Government: What’s it all about?


Acknowledgements

Teachers’ Feedback

This resource was written and edited by:

Rhiannon Jenkins, Educational Consultant to the Welsh Government Dr Elin Jones, Educational Consultant to the Welsh GovernmentMarjorie Page, Educational Consultant to the Welsh Government

This project was managed by the Welsh Government Communications Division.

A special thanks to teachers involved in trialling and commenting on draft resource:

Julia James, Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi, CeredigionMared Llwyd, Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth, CeredigionLowri Owen, Ysgol Llangelynnin, Conwy and the School Workload Advisory Panel

The pack has had a fantastic response. The activities are

colourful and modern, and the games were a big draw.

We have thoroughly enjoyed the task ‘Using Government money’. The pupils were able to discuss and express opinions extremely effectively. Also, an effective task in terms of appreciating the importance of each department of the Welsh Government. It’s a very good idea to use the pack as a way of bridging KS2/KS3. I will certainly be making further use of this topical resource.

The teacher notes at the beginning, and additional resources and a glossary

of terms at the end was great and very helpful in explaining the background /

context some of the tasks, and the introduction of additional information. The

activities are also particularly well in providing opportunities to develop the

children’s key skills (communication, thinking, number and ICT). The children

had great enjoyment of the activities and certainly it is a package that I would

recommend for older children in Key Stage 2 and especially Year 6.

Julia James, Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi, Ceredigion

Lowri Owen, Ysgol Llangelynnin, Conwy

Mared Llwyd, Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth, Ceredigion


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Contents

Introduction for teachers: About this pack .............................................................................

Activity 1 What does the Welsh Government do? And who does what? .............

Activity 2 Pen Portraits ...................................................................................................................

Activity 3 Arranging a visit ...........................................................................................................

Activity 4 Providing information ...............................................................................................

Activity 5 Using government money ......................................................................................

Activity 6 Policies made in Wales for the people of Wales .........................................

Activity 7 The role of the Welsh Government ....................................................................

Activity 8 Decisions, Decisions! ..................................................................................................

Activity 9 The Welsh Government and me ..........................................................................

Activity 10 Evaluation .....................................................................................................................

Glossary of terms ..................................................................................................................................

Useful websites ......................................................................................................................................

Additional Resources ...........................................................................................................................

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Digital ISBN 978 1 4734 0534 9 © Crown Copyright 2013 WG19497


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Introduction for teachers: About this pack

What is it for?

The Welsh Government’s Education Pack is designed to introduce learners to the work of the Welsh Government, to explain the relationship between the Welsh Government and the National Assembly for Wales and to highlight the government’s relevance to daily life in Wales. The aim of the pack is to provide teachers with classroom resources to help them teach young people about democracy in Wales, linking with the skills that underpin the National Curriculum in Wales and the requirements of the Personal and Social Education (PSE) Framework with regard to political literacy.

These resources might be used:

• as stand-alone classroom activities linked to work on democracy and active citizenship in Wales

• as part of a bridging programme between a primary school and its partner secondary school (Activity 8) and/or

• before, after or during a visit to one of the Welsh Government’s offices.

The newest of these are located in Aberystwyth and Llandudno Junction, and were built to meet the Welsh Government’s commitment to press ahead with the relocation of civil servants across the country and improve our engagement with communities across Wales. The Welsh Government aims to bring the full breadth of government services closer to the people of Wales.

Who is it for?

Because of the nature of the content and the complexity of some of the concepts involved, the resources are most relevant to learners in Key Stages 3 and 4. They may, however, be used with learners in Years 5 and 6 where appropriate and could also be adapted for candidates for the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification.

The resources aim to produce a variety of outcomes – including group discussion leading to an agreed plan, problem solving, questioning, research and the presentation of findings in a range of media – all leading to an enhanced appreciation of the achievements of the Welsh Government and its role in the daily life of Wales.


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What skills, knowledge and understanding will it help to develop in learners?

In carrying out these activities, learners will be helped to develop the skills of:

• oracy, reading, writing and wider communication

• numeracy

• thinking through planning, developing ideas and reflecting on what they have done

• ICT

as well as the wider key skills of working with others, improving their own performance and problem solving.

Their work will also help them to develop some aspects of the knowledge and understanding required by one of the themes of the PSE Framework, Active Citizenship, as well as the political ‘literacy’ defined in the Guidance to the PSE Framework (available on the Welsh Government website – see website list at end of pack). This includes the following statements:

• Political literacy is about helping young people become politically aware and effective.

• For young people political literacy involves: - knowing how decisions are made in society – locally, nationally and internationally

Both of these depend to a great extent on a learner’s understanding of the make-up and role of the Welsh Government and this pack will enhance learners’ understanding of this.

The pack will also make a major contribution to coverage of The Cwricwlwm Cymreig (7–14) and Wales, Europe and the World (14–19), statutory requirements of the National Curriculum in Wales.

It is essential that both partners, primary and secondary, play a part in Activity 8 if it is to achieve its purpose.

It would be helpful if, in Activity 4, an existing link school was chosen so that the correspondence could actually take place.


5

What is the relationship between the National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh Government?

The postcard, The difference between us and the National Assembly for Wales, explains briefly that these are two distinct organisations.

The Welsh Government:• is the devolved government for Wales;

• consists of the First Minister, the Welsh Ministers, the Deputy Welsh Ministers and the Counsel General (the chief legal adviser to the Welsh Government);

• meets in Cabinet (with the Counsel General attending as he is in charge of the Legislative Programme);

• is supported by the Civil Service which works across Wales to implement government policy;

• develops policies and proposes laws which, if passed by the National Assembly for Wales, will become laws for Wales; since the referendum in 2011, there is no need to seek permission from the UK parliament before laws are made on subjects for which the National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh Government are responsible.

• implements policies in the areas for which it is responsible; and

• is responsible for relationships with the rest of the United Kingdom, Europe and Wales Abroad.

The National Assembly for Wales:• consists of 60 elected Assembly Members; these are elected democratically at elections that

take place across Wales every 4 years

• scrutinises and approves the Welsh Government’s budget proposals;

• represents the interests of the people of Wales

• debates issues, questions Ministers and holds the government to account;

• passes laws for Wales;

• carries out its work in the Senedd in Cardiff Bay; and

• is similar to the UK Parliament in Westminster.


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The Welsh Government

The First Minister is nominated by the Assembly and subsequently appointed by Her Majesty the Queen.

First Minister appoints Ministers and Deputy Ministers with the Queen’s approval.

The Counsel General is nominated by the First Minister, whose recommendation must be endorsed by the Assembly, before being approved by Her Majesty the Queen.

The First Minister and the Welsh Ministers with responsibility for government departments form the Cabinet.

The Welsh Government proposes budgets, develops and implements policies.

The Welsh Government proposes laws.

If the National Assembly for Wales passes a law, the Welsh Government implements the policy.

National Assembly for Wales (the Assembly)

60 elected Assembly Members (AMs) comprise the National Assembly for Wales (‘the Assembly’).

AMs nominate the First Minister.

AMs scrutinise government proposals and actions. They question Ministers about issues.

AMs scrutinise and approve the Welsh Assembly Government’s budget proposals.

AMs debate the government’s proposals, reflecting their own and their constituents’ views.

AMs vote on issues.

The National Assembly for Wales is able to pass Welsh laws in relation to the policy areas for which the Welsh Government has responsibility.


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Diagram 1

The process for electing a government in Wales.

or

or

Political parties produce manifestos

and campaign across Wales

Election takes place

Political party with most Assembly

Members forms the government.

This is called a majority government.

If no overall majority, parties combine to form a coalition government

A minority government in which the party with the largest

number of seats forms a government although it does not have

an absolute majority over all the other parties together.


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What does the pack include?

The pack includes:

• An introduction for teachers outlining the purpose and content of the pack;

• Ten easy to follow activities written for an audience of learners;

• Flexible activities to allow for differentiation by outcome and extension work where required;

• An explanation for teachers of the relationship between the Welsh Government and the National Assembly for Wales;

• A series of interesting facts about the Welsh Government;

• A glossary of terms;

• Relevant web links

• Postcards

PDF versions of all the resources will be available online so that any developments or changes – e.g. to Ministerial titles, departments etc. – can be uploaded immediately to the teacher resource area linked to the resource pack on the Welsh Government website. Teachers may download and print/laminate relevant resources for the chosen activity.

The pack also contains a series of eight postcards entitled ‘What’s it all about?’. The activities in the education pack are designed to complement and extend the information provided by these cards.

The pack includes information about the:

• Structure of the Welsh Government and the Cabinet;

• Role of the Government,

• Welsh Government’s responsibilities and achievements;

• and its relationship with the National Assembly of Wales

Teachers should choose which activities are most suitable for their classes. They might wish the class to focus on one or two particular activities only, to ask different groups within the class to carry out one or more different activities or to use the pack as a whole with a class over a period of time.


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Activities

? ?

?


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The resources for this game can be found in the teacher resource area of the website. Teachers may download the resources in order to play the game in the classroom.

ACTIVITY 1What does the Welsh Government do? And who does what?

You will need:

• Diagram 1: To show simplified structure of the Welsh Government, with blanks for First Minister, Welsh Ministers with responsibility for government departments, Counsel General, Civil Servants.

• Cards with names and/or cartoon figures representing the various people involved

• Captions giving brief account of their responsibilities e.g. ‘I am the leader of the government because my party has the most seats in the Senedd’; ‘I am the Minister whose job is to decide on how we can make things better for everyone in schools.’; ‘We are the Cabinet. Together we agree on how to make policies’; ‘We are the Civil Servants in the Department of Environment and Sustainable Development. We work to carry out the Minister’s policies’ etc.

At the end of the activity, when you have filled in all the blanks:

• Diagram 2: Completed diagram, with all blanks correctly allocated.

What are you going to do?

Working in groups, try to put the people and their jobs in the right places on the diagram. One of you should record why you made your choices. When you have filled in as many blanks as you can, exchange your diagram with another group, and check it against the completed diagram.

Discuss which ones you got right, and why. Did you all have the same reasons for the same decisions? Which reasons did most people put down? Why are some reasons better than others?

What will be the end result?

A completed diagram to be used for reference when doing next activity.

Currently, the Ministerial Portfolio with

the biggest budget is Health and Social

Services with an annual budget of

approximately £6 billion to spend on

the National Health Service in Wales,

public health services and social services.

Did you know?

Welsh Government civil servants are based across the world in order to promote Wales across the world and attract inward investment and jobs to Wales.

Did you know?

I am the Minister whose job it is to

ensure communities thrive.

Rt. Hon. Carwyn Jones AM

Alun Davies AM

Ken Skates AM

John Griffiths AM

Vaughan Gething AM

Gwenda Thomas AM

Carl Sargeant AM

Jane Hutt AM

Mark Drakeford AM

Lesley Griffiths AM

Jeff Cuthbert AM

Huw Lewis AM

Edwina Hart MBE OStJ AM

Theodore Huckle QC

I am leader of the government

because my party has the most seats

in the Senedd.

I am the Minister whose job it is to

decide how we make things better for

everyone in schools.

I am the Minister with responsibility for

improving the care received by patients

in hospitals and doctors’ surgeries.

I am the Minister responsible for

promoting Welsh heritage, culture

and sport.

I am the Deputy Minister responsible

for the wellbeing and happiness of

children and young people in Wales.

I am the Minister responsible for providing

affordable housing, revitalising deprived

areas.

I am invited to Cabinet meetings by the First Minister to provide legal advice

I am the Minister for responsible for ensuring the Welsh Government spends

its money wisely.

I am the Minister responsible for

supporting business and the economy.

I am the Deputy Minister

responsible for the environmentand

agriculture.

I am the Deputy Minister whose job it is to ensure Welsh businesses get the skilled workforce

they need to thrive.

First Minister

Minister for Local

Governm

ent and G

overnment Business

The First Minister

for Wales

Minister for Education and Skills

Minister for Natural Resources

and Food

Minister for Health and Social Services

Minister for Finance

Deputy M

inister for Social Services

Minister for Com

munities

and Tackling PovertyM

inister for Culture and Sport

Counsel General for Wales

Minister for Economy, Science

and Transport

Minister for Housing and Regeneration

Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology


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Carwyn Jones became First Minister of Wales on 9 December 2009.

Did you know?

Work in groups of 4 or 5. Your teacher will allocate people from this list for you to research. Decide who does what within your group, e.g. organising the group’s activities, focusing on one person only; making notes; producing the final pen portrait.

Using information from the Welsh Government’s website and other online resources, find out all you can about the person you are researching – e.g. name, photograph, biographical details, particular interests etc. Make notes and prepare a pen portrait of that person.

Present each pen portrait to your group and edit it in the light of their questions and comments.


Present each group’s pen portraits to the whole class.

Make a display using the finished pen portraits.


Look at the following list of people who make up the government:

ACTIVITY 2 Pen portraits

First Minister of WalesCounsel General for WalesDeputy Minister for Skills and Technology Deputy Minister for Social ServicesDeputy Minister for Tackling PovertyMinister for Communities and Tackling PovertyMinister for Culture and SportMinister for Economy, Science and TransportMinister for Education and SkillsMinister for FinanceMinister for Health and Social ServicesMinister for Housing and RegenerationMinister for Natural Resources and FoodMinister for Local Government and Government Business

The First Minister is nominated

by the National Assembly for

Wales and then appointed by

Her Majesty the Queen.

Did you know?

In 1999, the First Minister was called the First Secretary for Wales. This was the Right Hon. Alun Michael. In 2000, the Cabinet adopted the term ‘Minister’ instead of ‘Secretary’.

Did you know?

Rhodri Morgan was First Minister for Wales for almost ten years - from February 2000 to December 2009 when he retired.

Did you know?


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Your class has been asked to arrange a visit for

• your own class or

• a group of foreign students or

• a class of fellow pupils

to the Welsh Government offices.

Arrange this trip. The main offices that welcome school visits are Aberystwyth and Llandudno Junction.

Work in groups, as appropriate, to discuss and decide:

• which office you are going to visit and why

• what are the key issues you would like to discuss within the various portfolio areas. What questions would you like to ask?

• who you need to contact. e.g. Welsh Government communications officer

• how you will divide your time – a discussion with staff at the location of your choice could be helpful before planning your visit

• who will be your spokesperson during the visit. Will it be one class member or will you share this task? How will you choose your spokesperson?

You can also find useful information from the other activities in this pack. This will help you to make your decisions.

What will be the end product of this activity?

At the end of the activity, the groups in your class should have shared their findings and decisions and agreed a detailed timetable/agenda to present the timing, date and content of the proposed visit.

Alternatively, each group within the class could present its choice and the class could vote between the presentations to choose a favourite.

ACTIVITY 3 Arranging a visit

A key Welsh Government commitment has been to bring government services closer to the people of Wales rather than have everything happening in Cardiff. This was called a location strategy and it means that civil servants work in offices across Wales, implementing the Welsh Government’s initiatives, making it one of Wales’ most important employers.

Fact


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Note to teachers:

It would be best if this activity could have a real purpose so that the planned visit actually takes place but the activity has intrinsic value even if this is not possible.

There are several opportunities to engage in activities that will develop learners’ understanding of decision-making processes and of the principles of participation and representation.

The content of the discussions etc. can be differentiated to meet the needs, interests and abilities of the class involved.

During the Open Day held at the

Aberystwyth office over 2,000

members of the public visited to

find out more.

Did you know?

Welsh Government work is carried

out in properties across Wales

Did you know?

The Llandudno Junction office is the greenest Welsh Government office. It has a biomass boiler which burns wood pellets.

Did you know?


18

A school in another country has contacted your school. They want to know more about the Welsh Government. Here is what they have said:


Work in pairs or small groups.

Look carefully at the letter and decide whether you can answer all its questions. Are there any questions you can’t answer? How could you find the information you need to answer those questions? Can you design a clear diagram?

ACTIVITY 4 Providing information

First Minister Minister

Coalition Government Cabinet

Policy Assembly Acts

Counsel General Civil Servants

Budget Devolved Responsibilities

Ministerial Portfolio

In our school in ……. we are finding out about governments in different countries. We would like to know how Wales is governed, because we have found out that your Welsh Government has only been there since 1999. Can you please tell us how your government works?

We would especially like you to explain to us the meaning of the following words:

If you could send us a diagram to show how your Government works, that would be very helpful.


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Write an answer to the school, making sure your explanations are clear and really do answer the questions asked. Provide a diagram if possible. In your letter, ask your own questions about the government of the country in which the school is located.

Using what you have found out, design a quiz based on the Welsh Government. This can be intended for pupils in your own school, for younger learners or for a partner school.

Ministerial posts and titles change. This may happen when a Minister resigns or a new government is formed following an election.

Did you know?

The Counsel General is the

newest senior post in the Welsh

Government, dating from July 2007.

Did you know?

The oldest Civil Service in the world is in China and dates from about 200 B.C.

Did you know?

Policy


20

The previous three activities have told you about the work of the Welsh Government and the people who are involved. It is now your turn to act as if you were a Cabinet Minister and to decide where money is best spent for the good of the people of Wales.


Work in groups of 4 – 6 for about 20 minutes.

Imagine you have a million pounds to allocate. In your groups, you must decide what your priorities are and where the money should be spent. To help you, look carefully at the ‘portfolio’ cards that show what the various Ministerial portfolios represent and decide what most deserves financial support. Look also at the ‘money’ cards that have amounts varying between £5000 and £250,000 and discuss how the money should be allocated. You need to agree on your priorities and be able to explain the reasons for your decisions.

Decide who will be the spokespeople for your group and present your decisions to the rest of the class. Explain why you did or did not fund some activities.

As a class, discuss the decisions made by each group and, if possible, come to an overall agreed plan for spending the one million pounds.


You will have gained some understanding of the issues involved in deciding how to allocate the Welsh Government’s budget.

You may have agreed on your class’s priorities for spending government money.

ACTIVITY 5 Using Government money

The Welsh Government receives

an annual allocation of money

from the UK Government.

Did you know?

The First Minister and his Cabinet propose an annual budget that has to be discussed and approved by the National Assembly for Wales before it can be implemented.

Did you know?

The Welsh Government does not have

the power to raise taxes.

Did you know?

£5000 £5000

Llywodraeth Cymru Welsh Government

Five Thousand PoundsPum Mil o Bunnoedd

£5000 £5000



£5000 £5000



£5000 £5000



£10,000 £10,000


Ten Thousand PoundsDeg Mil o Bunnoedd

£10,000 £10,000



£10,000 £10,000



£10,000 £10,000



£25,000 £25,000


Dau Ddeg Pum Mil o Bunnoedd

Twenty Five Thousand Pounds

£25,000 £25,000




£25,000 £25,000




£25,000 £25,000




£50,000 £50,000


Fifty Thousand PoundsPum Deg Mil o Bunnoedd

£50,000 £50,000



£50,000 £50,000



£50,000 £50,000



£100,000 £100,000


Can Mil o Bunnoedd

One Hundred Thousand Pounds

£100,000 £100,000


Can Mil o Bunnoedd


£100,000 £100,000


Can Mil o Bunnoedd


£100,000 £100,000


Can Mil o Bunnoedd


£150,000 £150,000


Cant Pum Deg Mil o Bunnoedd

One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Pounds

£150,000 £150,000




£150,000 £150,000




£150,000 £150,000




£200,000 £200,000


Dan Gan Mil o Bunnoedd

Two Hundred Thousand Pounds

£200,000 £200,000




£200,000 £200,000




£200,000 £200,000




£250,000 £250,000


Dan Gan Pum Deg Mil o Bunnoedd

Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Pounds

£250,000 £250,000




£250,000 £250,000




£250,000 £250,000




The First Minister of Wales

Hello! My name is Carwyn Jones.

I’m the First Minister of Wales. My responsibilities include…

• Appointing the Cabinet of Welsh Ministers, Deputy Ministers and the Counsel General with the approval of Her Majesty the Queen

• Leading policy development and delivery

• The Welsh language

• Managing relationships with the rest of the UK and internationally

• Representing the people of Wales at major events

• The legislative programme

• Energy policy

Front

Back

Communities and Tackling Poverty

Hello! My name is Jeff Cuthbert.

I’m the Minister for for Communities and Tackling Poverty. My responsibilities include…

• Welfare reform

• Equality and Equal Opportunities

• The voluntary sector and volunteering in Wales

• Communities First

• Financial inclusion, including credit unions

• Children’s Commissioner for Wales

• Parenting programmes

Back

Front

Tackling Poverty

Hello! My name is Vaughan Gething.

I’m the Deputy Minister for Tackling Poverty. My responsibilities include…

• Overall responsibility for delivering the Tackling Poverty Action Plan

• Family Support Policy

• Play policy

• Families First

• Childcare

Front

Back

Natural Resources and Food

Hello! My name is Alun Davies.

I’m the Minister for Natural Resources and Food. My responsibilities include…

• Tackling climate change

• Protecting our natural environment

• Managing our waste and energy policies

• Supporting Welsh farmers

• Managing our water, floods and protecting our coast

• Controlling air pollution in Wales

• Ensuring good standards of health and welfare for animals

• Enhancing the social and economic well being of rural communities

Back

Front

Health and Social Services

Hello! My name is Mark Drakeford.

I’m the Minister for Health and Social Services. My responsibilities include…

• National Health Service Wales

• Public health and health protection in Wales

• Dentistry

• Substance misuse

• Charges for NHS services

• Postgraduate medical education in Wales

• Provision of services in Wales for the mentally ill

Front

Back

Social Services

Hello! My name is Gwenda Thomas.

I’m the Deputy Minister for Social Services. My responsibilities include…

• Social services for children and adults

• Policy on care in the community

• Adoption and fostering services in Wales

• Older People’s Commissioner for Wales

• The Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (CAFCASS)

• Oversight of the Care Council for Wales

Back

Front

Culture and Sport

Hello! My name is John Griffiths.

I’m the Minister for Culture and Sport. My responsibilities include…

• The National Parks

• Policy on broadcasting

• National strategy and policy for culture in Wales

• Access to the countryside, coastal access, right of way and common land

• Protecting historic buildings and promoting them as tourist attractions

• National strategy and policy for sport, physical activity and active recreation in Wales

• Sponsoring the Arts Council of Wales, Sports Wales, the Royal Commission on Ancient Monuments, the National Library of Wales, National Museum Wales and the Welsh Books Council

Front

Back

Local Government and Government Business

Hello! My name is Lesley Griffiths.

I’m the Minister for Local Government and Government Business. My responsibilities include…

• Funding local councils and police authorities

• Local authority performance and improvment of public services

• Community safety including tackling domestic abuse

• The Fire and Rescue Services

• Managing Welsh Government business in the National Assembly for Wales

• Liaison for the Armed Forces and Veterans in Wales

Back

Front

Economy, Science and Transport

Hello! My name is Edwina Hart.

I’m the Minister for Economy Science and Transport. My responsibilities include…

• Promoting Wales for business investment

• Supporting entrepreneurship and enterprise

• Support and advice for businesses in Wales

• Transport policy for Wales

• Tourism

• Promoting Welsh trade overseas

• Science policy in Wales

• Road safety

Front

Back

Finance

Hello! My name is Jane Hutt.

I’m the Minister for Finance. My responsibilities include…

• Making most effective use of the Welsh Government’s budget

• Planning for future spending

• Wales Census

• Publishing facts and statistics on the finances of the Welsh Government

• Development of a Welsh Treasury

• Strategic communications

• Policy and administration of European Union Structural funds

• Matters affecting Welsh Government Sponsored Bodies

Back

Front

Education and Skills

Hello! My name is Huw Lewis.

I am the Minister responsible for Education and Skills. My responsibilities include…

• Schools and colleges

• Student funding

• Higher education and universities

• Qualifications and the curriculum

• Teacher Training

• Education and training research

Front

Back

Skills and Technology

Hello! My name is Ken Skates.

I’m the Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology. My responsibilities include…

• Key, basic and vocational skills qualifications for all ages

• Digital Wales: co-ordination of the ICT strategy

• Skills Sector Councils

• Vocational qualifications for all ages

• Workforce skills development, including support for individuals and businesses

• Youth employment and training

• Careers advice and guidance

Back

Front

Housing and Regeneration

Hello! My name is Carl Sargeant.

I’m the Minister for Housing and Regeneration. My responsibilities include…

• Housing-related activities of local authorities and housing associations

• Homelessness

• Strategic Regeneration Areas and legacy regeneration

• The regulation of commercial tenancies let by local authorities

• These two bullets have been joined to read ‘Planning policy, including determination of planning disputes and appeals

• Building Regulations

Front

Back

The Counsel General for Wales

Hello! My name is Theodore Huckle.

I’m the Counsel General for Wales. My responsibilities include…

• Providing legal advice to the Welsh Government

• Representations about any matter affecting Wales

• Bringing, defending or appearing in legal proceedings to promote or protect the public interest of the people of Wales

• Referring to the Supreme Court a question of whether a provision of an Assembly Bill is within the Assembly’s legislative competence

• Facilitating public debate on whether there should be a seperate Welsh juristiction

• Responding to proposals or consultations that affect legal matters in Wales

Back

Front


43

Since devolution in 1999 the Welsh Government has worked to improve the lives of the people of Wales within areas such as business, education, environment, finance, health, housing and local government. Each of these areas has a Minister in the Cabinet responsible for these portfolios. Policies have been developed and decisions implemented which are sometimes different from those in the rest of the UK.


With the whole class, look at the list of the Welsh Government’s achievements on the postcard entitled ‘What has the Welsh Government done for Wales?’ and/or on the government’s website.

Work in groups. Discuss each achievement and decide:-

• Which are the most important achievements in your opinion? Why? Does everyone in your group agree? What are the reasons for any differences?

• Would everyone you know agree with your choices? Try and find out what older people might think about this.

• Discuss and decide which one achievement you would like to publicise and bring to the public’s attention. [Note to teacher: if possible, try to ensure that, within the class, several achievements are covered.]

• Choose what you agree is the best way to communicate its benefits to the public, e.g. by using a poster, pamphlet, media article or TV advertisement.

• Work together to produce your publicity material on paper or on screen. Remember to use appropriate language, layout and images to make an impact on your audience.


A successful information campaign to communicate achievement to the wider public.

ACTIVITY 6 Policies made in Wales for the people of Wales

The Welsh Government communicates in a range of ways to

the people of Wales: consultations,

websites, leaflets, news and media.

Did you know?

Welsh Government communications teams are based in Llandudno Junction, Aberystwyth and Cardiff.

Did you know?

Since 1999 major Welsh Government campaigns have included Climate Change, the Smoking Ban, Change 4 Life, Free Swimming, Free Bus Passes, Visit Wales, Llaeth Mam (Breastfeeding Initiative), Learner Travel Code.

Did you know?


44

The Welsh Government is responsible for proposing, developing and implementing policies and laws which apply in Wales and which aim to improve the lives of everyone in Wales. The National Assembly for Wales consists of all 60 Assembly Members. It is similar to the UK Parliament in Westminster, which houses every MPs from across the UK.


Working in groups, prepare an oral presentation entitled “The role of the Welsh Government”. Make this an informative, exciting presentation to explain the Welsh Government’s role in the devolution story.

Build on what you have learned from the previous activities and decide on the most appropriate structure for your presentation using suitable media depending on your chosen audience, e.g. Powerpoint, video conferencing, lecture or seminar. Your audience might be fellow pupils, a group of visiting foreign students or another audience of your choice. Their most important characteristic is that they know very little about the government and its role.

Within your groups, discuss the following:

• Decide which information you need to use to share your understanding and knowledge of the subject area.

• Keep in mind the brief, audience, resources and communication needed to deliver a successful group presentation.

- decide who will be responsible for the various elements

- remember your brief “The role of the Welsh Government”

- make the presentation appropriate for your audience

- decide on the resources needed to communicate certain points – e.g. data/publications/pictures

- speak clearly when you present your final presentation

• Incorporate a question and answer session at the end of your presentation.


A stimulating information gathering exercise and presentation to communicate the role of the Welsh Government.

ACTIVITY 7 The role of the Welsh Government

The Welsh Government is the executive (government) whilst the National Assembly for Wales (Senedd, simliar to the UK parliament) is the legislative body which holds the Welsh Government to account. (Please refer to introduction notes).

Fact


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Teachers’ note: This activity is intended to focus on participative democracy, by illustrating the principle of the referendum within the context of the School Council. It gives learners the opportunity to discuss and vote on issues that are directly relevant to them It is designed as a bridging activity, so is intended for Year 6 pupils in particular. It can of course be used with other year groups as appropriate, when they are entering a period of change (e.g. a change of school site, merging classes or schools etc.). It can be a whole class or group activity, and the result does not have to be referred to the School Council: this will depend on the nature of the decision to be made.


Your School Council is going to hold a referendum for Year 6 about the move to secondary school, and you are going to organise it. Everyone in the year group will have a vote. Working in groups, and using the Referendum postcard, decide on:

• The single issue you will vote on. It has to be something that affects everyone.

• How you will ask the question. It has to be a question that can only be answered with ‘yes’ or ‘no’, and everyone must be able to understand it.

• The question to be put to the referendum. This should be one chosen by everyone from the issues chosen by each group. You will need to vote on that too!

• How you will make sure the vote is fair.

• How you will count the votes and announce the result.

Hold the referendum and report the result to the Year 6 learners involved and to appropriate staff in your partner secondary school.

ACTIVITY 8 Decisions, Decisions!

There are many different ways of deciding things:

• One person makes all the decisions, and everyone has to do what they say.

• Certain people – like Assembly Members or the members of a School Council – are chosen by others to make decisions for them.

• We all make a decision together. Every single person has one vote, and every vote counts towards the final result. This is called a referendum – and using your vote is the most powerful thing you can do as a citizen in a democracy.

Fact


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Bridging element

Transition coordinators and Year 7 teachers/form tutors should be fully aware of the referendum and the preceding discussion. They should discuss it with incoming Year 7 learners in September, looking at the question asked and the response, and addressing the issue(s) raised as appropriate.


Learners’ active involvement in a democratic process, and a discussion of individual and group concerns about a change that is directly relevant to them.

Follow-up as a result of the referendum which will address the issue(s) raised.

Some real referendum questions

‘Should the United Kingdom join the European Union?’ (United Kingdom, 1975)

‘Should we have nuclear power?’ (Italy, 1987, 2011)

‘Should public houses open on a Sunday?’ (All Wales, 1961, and parts of Wales in 1968, 1975, 1982, 1989, 1996)

‘Do you want the Assembly now to be able to make laws on all matters in the 20 subject areas it has powers for?’ (Wales, 2011)

‘Should divorce be legal?’ (Republic of Ireland, 1995)

‘Should firearms be sold?’ (Brazil, 2005)

Yes No

It is because of a referendum held in Wales in 1997 that you are reading these words.

Did you know?

The country that holds the most

referendums is Switzerland.

Did you know?The first referendum in modern

times was held in France in 1793.

Did you know?


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Work in pairs.

Here are images which represent the Welsh Government’s achievements.

Put these images in order of importance to you to show the Welsh Government’s impact on your daily life. You could do this by using diamond ranking or a decision line ranging between the most important and the least important.

1. Local Welsh food

ACTIVITY 9 The Welsh Government and me


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2. Free swimming

3. Free bus pass for disabled and pensioners


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4. New hospital

5. New railway station


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6. Free admission to the National Museum of Wales

7. Foundation Phase

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8. Broadband Access

9. New Welsh Government offices in Aberystwyth, Llandudno and Merthyr


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10. Affordable Housing

What do YOU know?

What are the three most surprising things that you have found out about the Welsh Government?

Extension activities

The following activities might be used as extension activities with able/older learners.

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2. Governments of the United KingdomThe governments of the United Kingdom, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are different.


Carry out research about the responsibilities of each government – that of the UK and those of the three of its component countries that have a devolved government.

Prepare a pamphlet comparing the way each of the countries is governed.

Compare and contrast the devolution settlement in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and discuss with your class the differences.

1. Which government does what? Your school has received the following e-mail from a school in Patagonia:

Our teacher has told us that Wales is part of the United Kingdom and that the UK Prime Minister makes decisions on some things which affect the people of Wales. Is this true?


Find out about which responsibilities have been devolved to Wales and which are still administered by the UK government. For example, think about who is in charge of immigration. Use internet searches on the Welsh Government Online Newsroom and other online resources to find information about particular cases. This should allow you to answer the questions.

Write your response to the e-mail, explaining the situation as clearly as possible.


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Use the technique ‘dot voting’ (see Glossary for explanation) to decide how useful the content of this pack has been in helping you to learn about the Welsh Government. You can work in pairs/groups to share your findings and make your evaluation.

You have up to 20 ‘dot votes’ to distribute as you see fit.

Remember you can use more than one vote on any one statement to show how strongly you feel about it. You do not have to vote on every statement.


By looking at your distribution of votes you will be able to make your personal evaluation of the usefulness of the pack and the work it has promoted. If you combine the votes of all the members of the class, you and your teacher will be able to make a class evaluation.

ACTIVITY 10 The Welsh Government and me

Statement Dot vote

Using the pack helped me to understand the differences between the Welsh Government and the National Assembly for Wales.

The pack is a good introduction to a visit to one of the Welsh Government offices.

How Wales is governed became more relevant to me.

I learnt important skills by doing the various activities.

The content showed clearly the process for electing a government in Wales.

The pack gave me useful web links so that I could work independently and increase my understanding of the topic.

I now understand what the role of the Welsh Government is.

Knowing about each Minister’s portfolio has helped me understand what the Welsh Government does.

Arranging a visit was an important part of the process of starting or ending our study.

Dealing with money matters helped me understand how the Welsh Government’s money is spent.

Sharing thoughts and information about the Welsh Government with other pupils in different schools helped me to understand its work.

I understand that my School Council is a starting point for my understanding of the role of democracy in society.

We discussed major policies made in Wales for the people of Wales and gave our opinions.

Studying the pack made me aware of the Welsh Government’s role and its effect on my future.

Hands-on activities are important to promote knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.

The glossary was a great help in furthering my understanding.

The pack supports the importance of pupil voice on important issues.

After using the pack I have a better understanding of the constitutional differences between Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.


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Arranging a Visit to the Welsh Government

What is Y Bont?Y Bont is the name of the public access area in the Aberystwyth and Llandudno Junction offices. Both include a staffed information area, offer internet and wifi access, a coffee bar and an opportunity to browse the daily national and local weekly papers.

Y Bont aims to bring government closer to the people and to engage better with local communities. Local community groups and schools visit the offices and are able to listen to a brief presentation and activities. The visits are an opportunity to promote the work of the Welsh Government, engage with the public and ensure they are aware of Y Bont and the services it offers.

If your school is unable to visit Llandudno Junction or Aberystwyth, Y Bont outreach teams may be able to come to you. Contact us to discuss further.

Contact details of Y Bont, Aberystwyth

Telephone: 0300 062 2021E-mail: [email protected]

Address: Y Bont Welsh Government OfficeRhodfa Padarn Llanbadarn FawrAberystwythCeredigionSY23 3UR

Contact details of Y Bont, Llandudno Junction

Telephone: 0300 062 5603E-mail: [email protected]

Address:Y BontWelsh Government OfficeSarn MynachLlandudno JunctionLL31 9RZ


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Assembly Acts Welsh laws are officially known as Assembly Acts. They apply only to Wales and not to other parts of the UK. The National Assembly for Wales debates and passes these laws. The laws can only relate to policy areas devolved to Wales. However, any Assembly Member and/or Assembly Committee can propose one of these laws, and if the proposal receives a majority vote, through the various stages of scrutiny, then it becomes law.

The UK parliament in Westminster retains the power to introduce laws which affect Wales. UK Acts of Parliament may also contain provision to devolve further powers.

There may be occasions when the Welsh Government wishes to seek new powers. In such cases, legal orders are used to effect the transfer of new powers. These orders are known as Orders in Council which are passed in the UK Parliament and made in Privy Council which is a meeting between HM the Queen and senior politicians.

Assembly Committees As well as their Plenary work Assembly Members may sit on a number of different committees, such as Health and Social Services Committee and Finance Committee. (For the full and current list of Assembly committees visit the National Assembly for Wales website.)

These committees consider and debate policy development, scrutinise the work and expenditure of the Welsh Government and examine and put forward proposals for Welsh Laws.

Budget The Welsh Government (and the National Assembly for Wales) draws down funds from the Welsh Consolidated Fund. This is a ‘bank account’ which holds the public money that is allocated to Wales by the UK Government (with the approval of the UK Parliament via the Secretary of State for Wales).

The Welsh Government’s budget proposals must be approved by the National Assembly for Wales.

Cabinet The main decision-making body which comprises the First Minister and Welsh Ministers.

The Counsel General and the Deputy Welsh Ministers may attend Cabinet meetings at the invitation of the First Minister.

Glossary of terms


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Civil Servants Civil servants are government officials who work in offices across Wales – and the world – to develop and implement the Welsh Government’s policies. They are accountable to Welsh Ministers.

Coalition government A government composed of two or more political parties. This happens when there is no outright majority for one party at an Assembly Election. The government consists of Ministers from different political parties.

Counsel General The chief legal adviser to the Welsh Government. He/she does not necessarily have to be an Assembly Member.

Devolved responsibilities

The Welsh Government is responsible for many aspects of policy. These include: education, health, local government, transport, planning, economic development, social care, heritage, environment and sustainability.

The UK government is still responsible for certain public services in Wales such as police, prisons and the justice system. Matters such as tax and benefits, defence, national security and foreign affairs are also dealt with by the UK Government.

Dot voting – for Activity 10

Learners are presented with a number of statements / questions / issues to which they must assign votes according to their opinion of the statement’s importance and priority. They have a given number of votes – 20 in Activity 10 – and can use them singly or in multiples to indicate the importance they assign to a particular statement. They do not have to vote for every statement.

Learners must be able to justify their decisions by giving reasons.

First Minister The person nominated by the National Assembly for Wales to lead the government. This is usually the leader of the party with the most Assembly Members. After nomination, the First Minister is appointed by Her Majesty the Queen.


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The Government of Wales Act (GOWA) 2006

Under the Government of Wales Act 1998, the National Assembly for Wales was created as a single body. The Government of Wales Act (GOWA) 2006 created a separation between the government (i.e. the Welsh Government), sometimes called the executive, and the legislature, the law-passing body (i.e. the National Assembly for Wales). The purpose was to clarify the roles and responsibilites of the two institutions.

It is the National Assembly for Wales which holds Welsh Ministers to account (through, for example, Assembly Questions, Debates and Committees).

The National Assembly for Wales is different from the Welsh Government. Whereas the Welsh Government consists of the governing Ministers in Wales, the National Assembly for Wales consists of all 60 elected Assembly Members.

Legislative Programme The Welsh Government has its own annual Legislative Programme (announced every July).

Ministerial portfolios The areas for which Ministers are responsible; in the current government, these are: Education and Skills; Health and Social Services; Economy Science and Transport; Local Government and Government Business; Housing and Regeneration; Natural Resources and Food; Culture and Sport; Finance; Communities and Tackling Poverty.

National Assembly for Wales

The democratically elected body that represents the interests of Wales and its people, passes laws for Wales and holds the Welsh Government to account. It consists of 60 elected Assembly Members (AMs).

Secretary of State for Wales

The Secretary of State for Wales represents Wales in the UK Cabinet on matters which are not devolved, such as social security, defence and tax.

Welsh Government The Welsh Government consists of the First Minister, Welsh Ministers, Deputy Welsh Ministers.

Welsh Ministers The Assembly Members appointed by the First Minister to become members of his/her government. Each Welsh Minister has a different area of responsibility.


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Useful websites

The Welsh Government: www.wales.gov.uk

The Welsh Government’s online newsroom: http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom

The National Assembly for Wales: www.assemblywales.org/

Democracy Live: http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/

UK Government: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm

The UK Prime Minister’s Website: www.number10.gov.uk

The Scottish Government: www.scotland.gov.uk

The Northern Ireland Executive: http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/

MeicCymru: www.meiccymru.org

Pupil Voice Wales: www.pupilvoicewales.org.uk

Clic: www.cliconline.co.uk

Funky Dragon: www.funkydragon.org

Personal and Social Education Framework: http://wales.gov.uk/educationandskills

Personal and Social Education Guidance: http://wales.gov.uk/psesub

http://www.wales.gov.uk

http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom

http://www.assemblywales.org/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm

http://www.number10.gov.uk

http://www.scotland.gov.uk

http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/

http://www.meiccymru.org

ww.pupilvoicewales.org.uk

http://www.cliconline.co.uk

http://www.funkydragon.org

http://wales.gov.uk/educationandskills

http://wales.gov.uk/psesub


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?Additional Resources

Who makes up the Welsh Government?

The Welsh Government consists of:

• The First Minister

• Welsh Ministers

• Deputy Welsh Ministers

• The Counsel General

The First Minister of Wales is the head of the Welsh Government, The First Minister and Welsh Ministers together form the Cabinet.

The Welsh Government is responsible for proposing and implementing policy and laws which would apply in Wales and which aim to improve the lives of everyone in Wales. It is supported by staff based in offices throughout Wales.

What is the Welsh Government

responsible for?

The Welsh Government is responsible for many areas of our daily life in Wales. These devolved areas include:

• education

• health

• local government

• transport

• planning

The role of the Welsh Government is to:

• Make decisions on matters regarding these areas, for Wales as a whole;

• Develop policies and implement them;

• Develop Welsh Laws

The UK government continues to have overall responsibility for some public services in Wales, for example police, prisons and the justice system, defence, national security and foreign affairs.

• economic development

• social care

• culture

• environment

• agriculture and rural affairs

Since devolution, the Welsh Government has initiated some major improvements for the people of Wales; sometimes these have been different to the rest of the UK. These include:

What has the Welsh Government

achieved for Wales?

• Free prescriptions for patients living in Wales

• New hospitals, free hospital parking and more dental practices providing NHS services

• Investing tens of millions of pounds in creating new, affordable housing

• Free swimming for children and over 60s

• Free entry to our National Museums and galleries

• Free bus travel for over 60s

• New railway lines, rail services and increased investment in public transport

• Establishing the Foundation Phase for 3 to 7 year olds

• Implementing Welsh Language Measure and improved access to Welsh Medium Education

• Introduced carrier bag charges to lessen impact of plastic bags on the environment

• Wales was the first UK country to vote in favour of a smoking ban in public places. The ban was implemented in 2007

Who’s who?

In alphabetical order, here is who makes up the Welsh Government:

Jeff Cuthbert – Minister for Communities and Tackling PovertyAlun Davies – Minister for Natural Resources and FoodMark Drakeford – Minister for Health and Social ServicesVaughan Gething – Deputy Minister for Tackling PovertyJohn Griffiths – Minister for Culture and SportLesley Griffiths – Minister for Local Government and Government BusinessEdwina Hart – Minister for Economy, Science and TransportTheodore Huckle – The Counsel General for WalesJane Hutt – Minister for FinanceCarwyn Jones – First Minister of WalesHuw Lewis – Minister for Education and SkillsCarl Sargeant – Minister for Housing and RegenerationKen Skates – Deputy Minister for Skills and TechnologyGwenda Thomas – Deputy Minister for Social Services

Referendum

A referendum is a vote in which all the people in a country are asked to give their opinion about or decide on an important political or social question.

The first referendum on the question of having a devolved Assembly for Wales was held in 1979, but the people of Wales rejected plans for devolution in Wales by four to one. All decisions affecting Wales continued to be made in London by Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom Parliament.

The second Referendum on the question of devolution for Wales was held on 18 September 1997: 50.3% of the Welsh public voted “I agree that there should be a Welsh Assembly” (a 6,712 vote majority) while 49.7% of the Welsh public voted against the creation of an Assembly.

Carmarthenshire was the last local authority to declare its votes which tipped the balance in favour of the establishment of a new democratically elected body for Wales. The 1998 Government of Wales Act created the National Assembly for Wales, made arrangements for the first Assembly elections on 6 May 1999 and transferred most of the powers of the Secretary of State for Wales to the National Assembly for Wales.

A referendum on greater law-making powers for the National Assembly for Wales took place on Thursday 3rd March 2011. 63.5% voted in favour of greater law-making powers, while 36.5% voted against. This means that the Assembly can now make laws for Wales on devolved subjects, such as health and education.

Can we make our own Welsh Laws?

Yes, we can. On 3 March 2011, people from across Wales voted in a referendum on the law-making powers of the National Assembly for Wales.

Of those who voted, 63.5% said yes to the question “Do you want the Assembly now to be able to make laws on all matters in the 20 subject areas it has powers for?”

The National Assembly of Wales can now make laws for Wales on subjects for which the Assembly and the Welsh Government have responsibility, without needing permission from the UK Parliament first.

The UK Parliament will still make laws for Wales in areas that are not devolved, such as defence and immigration.

The difference between Welsh Government

and the National Assembly for Wales

The Welsh Government and the National Assembly for Wales are two distinct organisations.

The National Assembly for Wales is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of Wales and its people, makes laws for Wales and holds the Welsh Government to account.

The National Assembly for Wales is similar to the UK Parliament in Westminster, which houses every MP from across the UK, whereas the Welsh Government is equivalent to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet.

The Senedd in Cardiff Bay is the home of the debating chamber for the National Assembly for Wales.

Elections to the National Assembly for Wales are held approximately every 5 years.

Want to find out more?

If you’d like to find out more about the work of the Welsh Government, our offices and find answers to frequently asked questions then visit our website on the address below.

www.wales.gov.uk

You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook

www.twitter.com/welshgovernment

www.facebook.com/welshgovernment

Watch us on YouTube and view our images on Flickr

www.youtube.com/welshgovernment

www.flickr.com/welshgovernment

http://www.wales.gov.uk

http://www.twitter.com/welshgovernment

http://www.facebook.com/welshgovernment

http://www.youtube.com/welshgovernment

http://www.flickr.com/welshgovernment

Welsh Government: What’s it all about?

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