Who is the new Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens?

  • The new Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens MP, speaking with ITV Wales' Kate Lewis

Jo Stevens has been announced as the new Secretary of State for Wales.

The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer appointed MPs to his cabinet on Friday afternoon after Labour's landslide victory in general election.

Ms Stevens has been shadow Wales secretary since 2021.

The role of Welsh Secretary is designed to make sure Wales is properly represented when significant decisions are made by the UK Government.

But who is the latest incumbent of the role?

Born in 1966, Ms Stevens was educated in Flintshire before going on to study at Manchester University where she graduated in 1988.

She went on to have a career as a solicitor, something she pursued for more than 25 years.

However she then embarked on a career change, deciding to stand for parliament, and became the MP for Cardiff Central in 2015.

Following boundary changes she now represents the Cardiff East constituency, which comprises part of the old Cardiff Central, Cardiff South and Penarth constituencies.

Ms Stevens will move to the benches on the other side of the House of Commons to take on her brief as Welsh Secretary. Credit: PA

Ms Stevens has been a Labour Party member and activist for more than 30 years and is part of the GMB Union as well as the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers.

Describing herself as an internationalist, she has paid particular attention to human rights issues in Colombia, being an active member of the Justice for Colombia NGO.

Closer to home, Ms Stevens is said to be a big sports fan, and is a regular at the Cardiff City stadium to cheer on the Bluebirds as well as on the terraces of the Cardiff Blues.

In her spare time she's said to enjoy sampling real ale as well as reading and listening to music.

Reacting to her appointment Ms Stevens said, "it is a real privilege to be appointed to the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales and to serve in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s first Cabinet.

"Wales has a crucial role to play in powering the UK’s national renewal, contributing to our energy security and the industries that will deliver a prosperous future.

"My absolute priority is to deliver for Wales and work with the Welsh Government to stabilise the economy, drive investment and create jobs.

"As a result of our plans, people across Wales will share in that prosperity and we will tackle deprivation and poverty together.”

“Under my leadership the Wales Office will once again be a steadfast advocate for Wales from within the UK Government, ensuring that Wales’s needs are prioritised, and its voice heard.

Sir Keir Starmer hosting his first Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street. Credit: PA

"I am determined to reset the relationship between the UK and Welsh Government. We will co-operate and work together to deliver better results for people in Wales.

"I am honoured to serve Wales and its people and bring about the change that our new government has promised.”

Ms Stevens is said to have started a full programme of meetings, briefings, and visits to begin delivering the new government’s agenda for Wales.

Until now the position of Welsh Secretary has often been one of conflict with the Welsh Government which regularly complains Wales is unable to prosper as it should due to funding cuts.

Jo Stevens' predecessor as Welsh Secretary, former Conservative MP David TC Davies. Credit: PA

Ms Stevens' role will be different to her predecessor with both governments in Cardiff Bay and Westminster being controlled by Labour.

But strain on that relationship could emerge with Ms Stevens previously opposing the devolution of justice powers which has sometimes put her at odds with the Welsh Labour administration in the past.

She has suggested problems with crime are too urgent for the Westminster government to embark on an overhaul of the structures in place.

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