Opportunities to influence the process

IMPORTANT NOTE. We are currently in the process of updating this information in light of the Welsh referendum result. Click here for information on the result and what happens next. In the meantime, please feel free to contact us with any questions.

As with LCOs, there are opportunities for the sector to influence Assembly Measures both pro-actively and reactively.

WAG and Assembly Members need to hear from the sector, with its wealth of front-line experience and expertise on what legislation is needed. The evidence base that the sector can bring forward can be extremely powerful in lobbying for change. It is also worth keeping abreast of what LCOs are being brought forward as this gives a good indication what kinds of Measures can then be introduced.

Lobbying WAG and Assembly Members could influence the legislative programme that WAG commits to each year or influence the proposed Measures that could be brought forward by Assembly Committees or Members who win the ballot. Likewise, using the Public Petitions route might be another way of generating proposed Measures (or at least raising awareness of a specific issue).

The Members’ Research Service (MRS), which is part of the Assembly Commission, is a service available to all Assembly Members and is a useful body to be in contact with. They provide background and research reports as requested by AMs and by providing reports and information to the MRS, the sector can potentially get their message across.

In terms of influencing proposed Measures, there are opportunities to contribute to pre-legislative consultation and to continue to lobby for amendments in stages 2 and 3 of the process, although stage 3 is more limited because not all tabled amendments are selected for consideration.