Third Sector
Wales

Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Pontypridd of 3 July 2012, Official Report, column 533W on third sector, how much the big society seminar held by her Department in Cardiff in 2011 cost; and what the main outcomes were.

David Jones (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Wales; Clwyd West, Conservative)

The cost of the big society seminar—£518.40—was published as part of our transparency measures and is available on our website.

The seminar was very successful, engaging the grassroots of civil society in Wales with the big society vision. From the discussions held during the event we identified several outcomes for further exploration; such as the huge potential of the National Citizen Service in Wales; the need to grow the social investment market; and the need to work in partnership with the Welsh Government.

Since the seminar we have secured funding for a pilot of the National Citizen Service in Wales; we have set up the big society advisory forum; and we are in the final stages of planning an event around social investment to be held in September. We will continue to encourage the Welsh Government to become involved in these important initiatives.