Morgan appoints Welsh government team

Statement by Eluned Morgan MS, First Minister

I am today pleased to announce appointments to the Ministerial team and Counsel General Designate. 

I confirm Huw Irranca-Davies in the role of Deputy First Minister in addition to his Climate Change and Rural Affairs Portfolio.  As Deputy First Minister, Huw will support me in my role as First Minister and will work alongside me to deliver for the people for Wales.

I have asked Mark Drakeford, Member for Cardiff West, to join the Ministerial team as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care on an interim basis.  Mark will bring his significant knowledge and experience to bear to continue our work to improve transparency and delivery. I will retain responsibility for the Welsh Language.

I have also today designated Elisabeth Jones under section 49(6) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 to exercise the functions of the Counsel General on an interim basis, in accordance with the provisions of that section.  Elisabeth was the Chief Legal Adviser for the National Assembly for Wales and Senedd from 2012 – 2019.

The appointments I am announcing today will provide stability and continuity over the summer in the Ministerial team, complementing the changes announced on 17 July 2024:

• Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: Huw Irranca-Davies MS  
• Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and the Cabinet Office: Rebecca Evans MS
• Cabinet Secretary for Education: Lynne Neagle MS  
• Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning: Jayne Bryant MS 
• Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care: Mark Drakeford MS
• Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Transport and North Wales: Ken Skates MS  
• Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip: Jane Hutt MS 
• Minister for Social Care: Dawn Bowden MS 
• Minister for Social Partnership: Jack Sargeant MS   
• Minister for Mental Health and Early Years: Sarah Murphy MS
• Counsel General Designate: Elisabeth Jones

Further announcements on portfolio allocations will be made in September following a listening exercise over the summer with the Welsh public. This exercise will help to determine the Welsh Government's priorities and the structure of government for the next 18 months.