Minister for the Economy (Wales)

The Minister for the Economy (Welsh: Gweinidog dros yr Economi) is a member of the Cabinet in the Welsh Government. The current officeholder is Vaughan Gething MS.


Minister for the Economy of Wales
Gweinidog dros yr Economi
Incumbent
Vaughan Gething MS
since 13 May 2021 (2021-05-13)
Welsh Government
StyleWelsh Minister
StatusCabinet Minister
AbbreviationEconomy Minister
Member of
Reports tothe Senedd and the First Minister of Wales
SeatCardiff
NominatorFirst Minister of Wales
AppointerThe Crown
Term lengthFive years
Subject to elections to the Senedd which take place every five years
Formation12 May 1999
First holderRhodri Morgan AM
Salary£105,701 per annum[1]
Websitegov.wales/vaughan-gething-ms

The position was titled Minister for the Economy and Transport from 2007 to 2011. The Minister had responsibility for the Department for the Economy and Transport, which combined two devolved functions of the Welsh Government: Business and Economy, and Transport. The department was created in June 2007, as successor to the Department for Enterprise Innovation and Networks, following the National Assembly for Wales elections in May 2007.[2]

Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones AM was appointed to the post in July 2007, succeeding Dr Brian Gibbons AM, who had been Minister since the previous month,[3] and held the position until 13 May 2011. The role was renamed Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science during Edwina Hart's tenure in office from 2011 to 2016.[4] The post adopted the previous title of Economy Minister under Hart's successor, Ken Skates.

Ministers
Name Picture Entered office Left office Other offices held Political party Government

Secretary for Economic Development and European Affairs (1999–2000)

Rhodri Morgan AM 12 May 1999 9 February 2000 Labour Michael government

Secretary for Economic Development (2000)

Rhodri Morgan AM 9 February 2000 16 October 2000 First Secretary of Wales (acting until 15 February) Labour Interim Morgan Government

Minister for Economic Development (2000–2003)

Michael German AM 5 October 2000 1 May 2003 Deputy First Minister of Wales Liberal Democrats First Morgan government

Minister for Economic Development and Transport (2003–2007)

Andrew Davies AM 1 May 2003 3 May 2007 Labour Second Morgan government

Minister for the Economy and Transport (2007–2011)

Brian Gibbons AM 26 May 2007 19 July 2007 Labour Third Morgan government
Ieuan Wyn Jones AM 19 July 2007 11 May 2011 Deputy First Minister of Wales Plaid Cymru Fourth Morgan government
First Jones government

Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology & Science (2011–2016)

Edwina Hart AM 11 May 2011 19 May 2016 Labour Second Jones government

Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (2016–17)
Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport (2017–18)
Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales (2018-21)

Ken Skates MS 19 May 2016 13 May 2021 Labour Third Jones government
First Drakeford government
Minister for the Economy (2021–present)
Vaughan Gething MS 13 May 2021 present Labour Second Drakeford Government

Responsibilities
See also: Politics of Wales and National Assembly for Wales election, 2007

Following the "yes" vote in the Welsh referendum of 1997, certain Westminster government executive and legislative powers were devolved to the National Assembly for Wales by the Government of Wales Act 1998. This included the power to determine how their budgets are spent and administered. These powers were increased by the Government of Wales Act 2006. Among those powers are Business and Economy, and Transport, for which the Minister for the Economy and Transport had responsibility within the Welsh Assembly Government.

The department's funding was allocated by the Welsh Assembly Government, following agreement of its annual budget.[5]

The Department for Economy and Transport's stated objectives were to:[2]

  • create jobs across Wales
  • stimulate enterprise and growth
  • enhance skills for jobs

Business and economy
See also: Economy of Wales

The Minister was responsible for supporting businesses in Wales, including growth and development, inward investment, provision of premises, commercial and industrial environmental improvements, and exports.[3]

Policy for the allocation of European Union Structural Funds in Wales, and its administration, was in the remit of the Minister.[2][5]

Transport
See also: Transport in Wales

The Minister was responsible for transport policy in specific areas. The Minister's main priorities were: development of an integrated transport system in Wales; construction, improvement and maintenance of trunk roads and motorways in Wales; Transport for Wales passenger rail services; road safety strategies including speed limits, pedestrian crossings and on-street parking.[2] The Minister also oversaw the provision of other public transport services, such as buses.[5]

The Department

Following the National Assembly for Wales elections on 3 May 2007, the Welsh Assembly Government restructured its departments. The former Department for Enterprise Innovation and Networks was absorbed into the new Department for the Economy and Transport on 1 June 2007.[2] Dr Brian Gibbons was appointed to the post of Minister for the Economy and Transport on its creation.[6]

A coalition government was formed by the Labour Party and Plaid Cymru on 7 July 2007. The resulting reshuffle of the Cabinet was announced on 19 July 2007, which saw Ieuan Wyn Jones AM (Member of the National Assembly for Wales for Ynys Môn) appointed to the posts of Deputy First Minister for Wales and Minister for the Economy and Transport.[7]

James Price, as acting Director General, Economy and Transport was the senior civil servant responsible for the department.

After the 2011 Welsh general election, the department was abolished and replaced with the department of Business, Enterprise and Technology.

See also

References
  1. "Determination on Members' Pay and Allowances: 2020-2021" (PDF). Senedd Cymru. 9 April 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 June 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  2. "Welsh Assembly Government:Economy and Transport". Welsh Assembly Government website. Welsh Assembly Government. 2010. Archived from the original on 4 May 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  3. "Welsh Assembly Government:Ieuan Wyn Jones AM". Welsh Assembly Government website. Welsh Assembly Government. 11 December 2009. Archived from the original on 29 March 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  4. "Welsh Government | "New Team Delivers for Wales"". Archived from the original on 22 May 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
  5. "BBC – Democracy Live – Welsh Assembly". BBC website. BBC. 29 October 2009. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  6. "WalesOnline:News:Politics:Politics News:Rhodri's surprise choice for economic development job". WalesOnline website. Media Wales. 1 June 2007. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  7. "BBC News:Wales:Three Plaid ministers in cabinet". BBC News website. BBC News. 16 May 2007. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
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