New First Minister announces cabinet reshuffle

Published

2 years ago

September 13, 2024

WALES’ new First Minister Eluned Morgan has named her cabinet, with top jobs for two ministers whose resignations forced her predecessor to stand down.

Baroness Morgan, who became first minister last month after Vaughan Gething resigned, has appointed Jeremy Miles as Wales’ health and social care secretary.

Mr Miles, who represents Neath, led the revolt that toppled Mr Gething after narrowly missing out on the top job in the race to succeed Mark Drakeford.

Meanwhile, Prof Drakeford, who was appointed interim health secretary in August, will now take charge of the purse strings, returning to a previous role as finance secretary.

Rebecca Evans, the previous finance minister who represents Gower and has been in government for a decade, will become economy, energy and planning secretary.

Swansea West MS Julie James, who resigned alongside Mr Miles in July, returns as counsel general-designate and minister for delivery.

A former solicitor, Ms James’ nomination as counsel general will need to be voted on in the Senedd before her appointment is recommended to the King.

Lynne Neagle, who represents Torfaen, keeps her role as education secretary while Clwyd South MS Ken Skates remains responsible for transport and north Wales.

Huw Irranca-Davies, the deputy first minister who stood on a joint unity ticket with Baroness Morgan, retains responsibility for climate change and rural affairs.

And Newport West MS Jayne Bryant, who was promoted to the cabinet in the wake of the resignations, has been named housing and local government secretary.

Dawn Bowden, the Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney MS, keeps her job as social care minister, with added responsibility for children.

Bridgend MS Sarah Murphy remains mental health minister, while Cynon Valley MS Vikki Howells will be a new face around the table as further and higher education minister.

Alyn and Deeside MS Jack Sargeant, who stepped in to fill a gap in the government left by the resignations, will be culture, skills and social partnerships minister.

But there’s no post for Lesley Griffiths, one of the rebels and a mainstay in the cabinet.

Ms Griffiths, who represents Wrexham, has held ministerial posts including health, culture, social justice and rural affairs over the course of 13 years on the frontbench.

Eluned Morgan, who was health secretary for three years, was elected unopposed as Welsh Labour leader after Mr Miles decided not to stand.

The first minister described her new-look ministerial team as representative of all of Wales and dedicated to delivering positive change on the issues that matter most.

She said: “The changes I am announcing today offer stability, draw on experience, and bring our collective talents together.

“The new portfolios reflect modern Wales and are designed to address the key challenges that face us all.

“I have spent the summer listening to the people of Wales, and my new cabinet appointments will now focus relentlessly on the priorities I heard from them.”?

The ever-present Jane Hutt remains social justice secretary, chief whip and Trefnydd, the government’s business manager – a role akin to the leader of the house in Westminster.

Ms Hutt has served in every administration since the Senedd was established 25 years ago.

But Pontypridd MS Mick Antoniw, the former counsel general and constitution minister, will not be returning following his resignation.

Last week, former first minister Vaughan Gething announced he will not stand for re-election following his four-month stint in the top job.

The Cardiff South and Penarth MS told his successor he would not seek a role in her cabinet, saying he would support her government from the backbenches.

Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Conservatives in the Senedd, said there may be a new first minister but it’s still the same old Labour.

He warned: “We know that this Labour government will continue to fail in the key areas that matter to Wales while they focus time and energy on pointless pet projects.

“The Conservatives are the true alternative to Labour’s politics of distractions, and only with a Conservative Welsh Government will things finally change for the better.”

His Conservative colleague Samuel Kurtz pointed out that Wales’ third first minister of the year has appointed her second cabinet.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said Wales deserved better than a “tired and divided” Labour government incapable of delivering solutions to the challenges facing Wales.

His colleague Heledd Fychan decried “more delay and chaos” under Baroness Morgan, pointing out that government business in the Senedd for next week has been shelved.

Eluned Morgan faces the unenviable task of uniting a Labour group fractured by months of infighting over the controversy surrounding donations to Vaughan Gething’s leadership bid.

One camp felt the row was distracting from the Welsh Government’s core mission of serving the people of Wales, prompting mass resignations to force Mr Gething’s hand.

The other thought the former first minister was treated unfairly, having broken no rules.

Mr Gething’s decision not to seek a role in government will have saved his successor at least one headache and has perhaps opened the door for some of the rebels to return.

With her first electoral test as first minister looming in less than two years – the Senedd election in May 2026 – it’s imperative that Eluned Morgan gets Labour’s house in order.

The Welsh Government and the Senedd are crying out for continuity after much chopping and changing of portfolios, and a revolving door of ministers, over the past year.

New facilities at Haverfordwest Target Shooting Club agreed

Published

1 day ago

May 23, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL by a Pembrokeshire shooting club for more disability-friendly facilities has been given the go-ahead by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Haverfordwest Target Shooting Club, through agent Andrew Sutton Architecture, sought permission for an extension to existing target shooting club building at The Firing Range, Withybush Road, Haverfordwest to improve accessibility and internal facilities, together with associated landscaping works.

A supporting statement said: “The club’s own published history states it was founded in 1968, moved from the Drill Hall to the old wartime airfield butts at Withybush by the early 1970s, and had developed facilities over time, including the clubhouse by 1999. The established leisure/community use has existed on the site for a number of years and the proposal does not seek to intensify the core activity beyond that already authorised/established.”

It added: “The primary objective of the scheme is to improve inclusive access to the club’s facilities for disabled users and those with reduced mobility. The internal arrangement will provide adequate entrance and lobby space, clear accessible routes and appropriately designed sanitary accommodation, including an accessible wetroom/shower and separate WC.”

It also said accessible parking and surfacing designed to provide a firm, even, slip-resistant route from parking to the principal entrance.

It added: “The Equality Act 2010 places duties on service providers to make reasonable adjustments so that people with additional access needs are not placed at a substantial disadvantage.

“The proposal is therefore a positive enhancement to a community/leisure facility and supports wider policy objectives for inclusive environments.”

It went on to say: “The club operates within a highly controlled environment, and the proposed works will maintain and enhance safety and security measures.”

The application was conditionally approved by planners.

News

Watchdog criticises health board over £10m GP contract checks

Published

2 days ago

May 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HEALTH board has been criticised by Audit Wales after GP contracts worth more than £10m were awarded without sufficient due diligence checks.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board allowed a GP partnership associated with eHarley Street Primary Care Solutions to take on eight GP contracts in south-east Wales, with a combined annual value of around £10.1m.

Audit Wales said the board should have carried out greater scrutiny before approving the arrangements, including checks on financial resilience, workforce plans, business risks and the partnership’s ability to manage several practices at once.

However, the watchdog found no evidence of fraud and noted the board was dealing with significant pressure in general practice, including vacant contracts and limited interest from other bidders.

The report said weaknesses in governance and scrutiny contributed to later disruption and uncertainty for patients and staff when problems emerged.

Concerns included financial and workforce pressures, unpaid invoices, and issues relating to tax and pension payments. Some contracts were later handed back, requiring the health board to step in to protect services.

Natasha Asghar MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Minister for Health and Social Care, said the findings were “deeply concerning”.

She said: “Patients and staff were left facing disruption and uncertainty because proper scrutiny was not carried out before these contracts were awarded.

“The Welsh Conservatives believe lessons must be learned to ensure robust checks are in place, protect frontline services and restore confidence in primary care across Wales.”

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board accepted the recommendations and said it had already strengthened its processes.

Audit Wales said the case highlighted the need for stronger checks before GP contracts are transferred, particularly when a single partnership is taking on multiple practices in a short period.

News

Welsh Conservatives demand clarity over EHRC guidance in schools

Published

2 days ago

May 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have called on the Welsh Government to clarify whether new Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance will be implemented in schools across Wales.

Shadow education minister Sam Rowlands MS has written to Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language Anna Brychan MS following the UK Supreme Court ruling on the Equality Act.

Mr Rowlands said schools, teachers, governors and parents needed clear answers on how the guidance would apply in practice, including on single-sex spaces, safeguarding, changing facilities and sports participation.

He said: “Parents, teachers and pupils deserve clarity from the Welsh Government.

“Schools cannot be left in limbo while ministers avoid making a decision on such an important safeguarding and legal issue.

“The Equality Act applies in Wales, and schools now need clear guidance on what this means in practice.”

In his letter, Mr Rowlands asks whether updated guidance will be issued to schools in Wales, whether schools will be expected to amend existing policies, and what advice will be given to headteachers on safeguarding and compliance with the Equality Act.

He also asks whether the Welsh Government intends to diverge from the approach set out by the EHRC.

The letter says schools and parents require “clear and consistent guidance” to ensure the rights, dignity and safety of all pupils are respected.