Mark Drakeford, who was sworn in as First Minister of Wales earlier this afternoon, has reshuffled his cabinet. Professor Drakeford has removed two members of the government from their roles; local government secretary Alun Davies and children, older people social care minister Huw Irranca-Davies.
The New First Minister has done away with the previous ‘cabinet secretary’ titles, preferring ‘ministers’ and ‘deputy ministers’. He has brought two new faces into government while Jane Hutt returns. Prof Drakeford had promised a gender-balanced government and has gone beyond that, with eight women and six men making up the new government.
Ministers
- First Minister of Wales – Mark Drakeford AM (Cardiff West)
- Minister for Finance and Trefnydd – Rebecca Evans AM (Gower)
- Minister for Health and Social Services – Vaughan Gething AM (Cardiff South and Penarth)
- Minister for Education – Kirsty Williams AM (Brecon and Radnorshire)
- Minister for Economy and Transport – Ken Skates AM (Clwyd South)
- Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs – Lesley Griffiths AM (Wrexham)
- Minister for Housing and Local Government – Julie James AM (Swansea West)
- Minister for International Relations and the Welsh Language – Eluned Morgan AM (Mid and West Wales)
- Counsel General Designate and Brexit Minister – Jeremy Miles AM (Neath)
Deputy Ministers:
- Deputy Minister and Chief Whip – Jane Hutt AM (Vale of Glamorgan)
- Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services – Julie Morgan AM (Cardiff North)
- Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport – Lee Waters AM (Llanelli)
- Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism – Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM (Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
- Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government – Hannah Blythyn AM (Delyn)
Prof Drakeford later issued a written statement providing more information on ministerial responsibilities. Ken Skates will also take on responsibility as Minister for North Wales while Rebecca Evans has taken on the role as ‘Trefnydd’, the new name for the Leader of the House.
