Mark Drakeford named as Wales health secretary in First Minister Eluned Morgan's cabinet

Former first minister Mark Drakeford is named as the new health and social care secretary on an interim basis in Eluned Morgan's cabinet. Credit: PA Images

Mark Drakeford will take over as Wales' health secretary in First Minister Eluned Morgan's Welsh Government cabinet, it has been announced.

The former first minister will take on the health and social care brief on an interim basis, inheriting the role which Ms Morgan had held since 2021.

The new FM has also confirmed that Huw Irranca-Davies MS becomes deputy first minister alongside his role as climate change and rural affairs secretary, while Ms Morgan retains cabinet responsibility for the Welsh language.

Elisabeth Jones, a former chief legal adviser for the National Assembly for Wales and Senedd, has also been appointed Counsel General on an interim basis.

Mr Drakeford stepped down from the top job in March, and was succeeded by Vaughan Gething, who resigned after a turbulent four months in charge to pave the way for Ms Morgan becoming leader of Welsh Labour and the new first minister of Wales, the first woman to do so in its 25-year history.

The end to Mr Gething's reign was escalated when four members of his cabinet resigned on the same day in July: they were cabinet members Mick Antoniw, Lesley Griffiths, Julie James and Jeremy Miles, who all called for him to quit.

A further cabinet reshuffle is due to follow in September.

Ms Morgan said in a written statement: "The appointments I am announcing today will provide stability and continuity over the summer in the ministerial team... 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."

Welsh Conservatives leader Andrew RT Davies said: "The show-business of a reshuffle lasts for a day, and this new government will be judged on their results.

"What Wales needs is a government that can be a voice for all of Wales, and can deliver the NHS and the public services Wales deserves.

"After months of chaos in Welsh Government, Wales will be watching."

He added: "What we can be sure of is that the return of Mark Drakeford to cabinet, the architect of 20mph, means that 20mph is here to stay in Wales, which will disappoint motorists and businesses across Wales.

"The only way to scrap Labour’s barmy 20mph speed limit is to vote for the Welsh Conservatives."

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said: "Whilst Plaid Cymru MSs didn't vote for her, yesterday I wished the new first minister well in trying to grapple with issues that Labour have so far failed to address.

"But it's concerning that what we see yet again today is evidence that Eluned Morgan means 'no change'. She hasn’t described her own vision, she's kept the cabinet as it was, pretty much, and even where change was forced in her, as she leaves health to take on the top job, we get only an interim appointment.

"At a time of crisis for the Welsh NHS, the last thing we need is an interim health minister that will only add to the uncertainty facing our health service.

"When previously in post, Mark Drakeford presided over an 11% increase in those waiting for treatment and Wales’ largest health board was put into special measures.

"Wales deserves better than a government of stagnation and indecision.

"In less than two years the people of Wales will have the chance to elect a new government who will stand up to Keir Starmer and put fairness and ambition back on Wales’ agenda."

First Minister Eluned Morgan's Welsh Government ministerial team:

  • Huw Irranca-Davies MS, deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs

  • Rebecca Evans MS, cabinet secretary for finance, constitution and the cabinet office

  • Lynne Neagle MS, cabinet secretary for education

  • Jayne Bryant MS, cabinet secretary for housing, local government and planning

  • Mark Drakeford MS, cabinet secretary for health and social care

  • Ken Skates MS, cabinet secretary for the economy, transport and north Wales

  • Jane Hutt MS, cabinet secretary for culture, social justice, Trefnydd and chief whip

  • Dawn Bowden MS, minister for social care

  • Jack Sargeant MS, minister for social partnership

  • Sarah Murphy MS, minister for mental health and early years

  • Elisabeth Jones, counsel general designate