Sometimes called a domestic works council. A permanent consultative body made up of management and employee representatives through which a UK-based employer can inform and consult its workforce about economic and employment-related matters.

The term is often applied to a body set up under an information and consultation agreement pursuant to the Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/3426). In fact, employers have flexibility to establish consultation arrangements under those regulations that are neither works councils nor national in scope, but the term "national works council" conveniently distinguishes these arrangements from European Works Councils and from the ad hoc information and consultation obligations which arise under other UK legislation.

For more information, see Practice note, Information and consultation agreements. For an overview of an employer's information and consultation obligations, see Practice note, Information and consultation obligations in employment: overview.