Civil rights - In England

This information applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

The Government of Wales Act 2006 has created a National Assembly for Wales and allows for a separate Welsh Assembly Government. Led by the First Minister, the Welsh Assembly Government is responsible for many issues, including health, education, economic development, culture, the environment and transport.

The relationship between the Welsh Assembly Government and the National Assembly is similar to that of the UK Government and Parliament. The National Assembly can debate the laws proposed by members of the Assembly Government and to hold Government members to account. It can approve certain laws itself, instead of waiting for the laws to go through the UK Parliamentary Programme.

However, some laws will still need to be approved by the UK Parliament.

Under the Act which brought in these changes, there can also be a referendum to consider whether full law-making powers should be given to Wales.

For more information, see www.wales.gov.uk.

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