Vaughan Gething replaced as Wales’ health minister
Updated: 13/05/2021, 5:49 pm
Vaughan Gething (Ben Birchall/PA)
Vaughan Gething has been replaced as Wales’ health minister in a surprise move as part of First Minister Mark Drakeford’s cabinet reshuffle.
Eluned Morgan will take over responsibilities for health and social care with Mr Gething moved to look after the economy brief, replacing Ken Skates who leaves the Welsh Government to rejoin the back benches.
Mr Gething has led Wales’ coronavirus pandemic response and served as health minister for the previous five years of the last government.
The reshuffle comes after Welsh Labour won 30 of the Senedd’s 60 seats in last week’s election – one short of an outright majority – with Mr Drakeford set to lead a minority Government.
A politician who represents Powys will form part of the top team in the Welsh Government, it was revealed today. Eluned Morgan, who was returned as a Mid and West Wales MS in last week s Senedd elections, has been appointed Health Minister in the post-vote reshuffle by First Minister Mark Drakeford. She replaces Vaughan Gething, who has moved on to become Economy Minister having become one of the most recognisable figures in the Welsh Government during the coronavirus pandemic. Ken Skates, himself a recognisable figure, makes way and returns to the back benches. Ms Morgan s role will see her given the specific brief of focusing on NHS recovery and the pandemic response.
Mark Drakeford makes significant changes as he names new Welsh cabinet FIRST minister Mark Drakeford has sprung a surprise by making some significant changes to his new cabinet. Vaughan Gething, who had been health minister since before the start of the pandemic, has been moved to economy minister while Ken Skates, who did have that role, has been dropped to the backbenches. Clwyd South MS Mr Skates has tweeted to say he told the FM he wished to leave the government, after eight years, and said he will continue as a loyal supporter of Mr Drakeford and the government Eluned Morgan has been made health minister while the education post, vacant as Liberal Democrat Kirsty Williams stood down at the election, has gone to Jeremy Miles who will also have responsibility for the Welsh language.
Mark Drakeford announces major shake-up of Cabinet - including new health and education ministers
The First Minister places climate change, green jobs and pandemic recovery at heart of new Welsh Government
Updated
First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford smiles after winning the Cardiff West constituency at the Cardiff House of Sport on May 7, 2021 in Cardiff (Image: Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)
Sign up to our free newsletter for the top North Wales stories sent straight to your e-mail Invalid EmailSomething went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up now!
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Your information will be used in accordance with ourPrivacy Notice.
Vaughan Gething has been replaced as Wales’ health minister in a surprise move as part of First Minister Mark Drakeford’s cabinet reshuffle.
Eluned Morgan will take over responsibilities for health and social care with Mr Gething moved to look after the economy brief, replacing Ken Skates who leaves the Welsh Government to rejoin the back benches.
Mr Gething has led Wales’ coronavirus pandemic response and served as health minister for the previous five years of the last government.
The reshuffle comes after Welsh Labour won 30 of the Senedd’s 60 seats in last week’s election – one short of an outright majority – with Mr Drakeford set to lead a minority Government.