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Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney Senedd Member Dawn Bowden has been appointed as a deputy minister in the new Welsh Government.

Ms Bowden, who was re-elected for a second term at last week’s Senedd Elections, has been appointed as the new Deputy Minister for Arts and Sports, as well as the new Chief Whip.

It comes after First Minister Mark Drakeford announced a shuffle of his top team on Thursday – a week after Welsh Labour won 30 of the 60 seats in the Senedd.

As part of the reshuffle, Eluned Morgan has been named as the new Health and Social Care Minister, replacing Vaughan Gething, who has taken over as Economy Minister.

Neath MS Jeremy Miles has been appointed as Education Minister, replacing the outgoing Liberal Democrat MS Kirsty Williams in the post.

Clwyd South MS Ken Skates, who was Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, is no longer in the cabinet after deciding to return to the backbenches.

The new-look cabinet is set to meet for the first time since the election later on Thursday to discuss the latest coronavirus review.

The First Minister said his new cabinet is “ready to get to work to set Wales on the path to recovery”.

He added: “There will be challenges ahead of us – the pandemic is a public health and economic emergency with long-lasting impacts on all our lives – but this is a talented and committed team, determined to make a positive difference to Wales and for Wales.

“We will use all our efforts and energies to create a stronger, fairer and greener Wales, where no one is held back or left behind.”

Meanwhile, Swansea West MS Julie James appointed in the newly-created role of Minister for Climate Change.

This role will include the environment, energy, housing, planning and transport briefs.

Mr Drakeford said the environment “will be at the heart of our decision-making” and added: “In my new government, the environment doesn’t just have a seat at the cabinet table – it will be a consideration in all we do.”   

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said: “As the official opposition, Welsh Conservatives will scrutinise and hold ministers to account, but will also offer the hand of cooperation where possible to ensure Wales bounces back from the most difficult year we’ve experienced. 

“And it’s in this spirit that I want to wish the First Minister and his new cabinet well as they start the significant task of ensuring our economy and public services get on the road to recovery.

“We’re proud Welsh men and women, and ultimately we need the government to succeed in the next couple of years if we are to see Wales turn the page on one of our most difficult chapters.”

Welsh Government cabinet

Mark Drakeford – First Minister

Vaughan Gething – Minister for Economy

Eluned Morgan – Minister for Health and Social Services

Jeremy Miles – Minister for Education and Welsh Language

Rebecca Evans – Minister for Finance and Local Government

Julie James – Minister for Climate Change

Lesley Griffiths – Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales and Trefnydd

Jane Hutt – Minister for Social Justice

Mick Antoniw – Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution

Lee Waters – Deputy Minister for Climate Change

Lynne Neagle – Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing

Dawn Bowden – Minister for Arts, Sports and Chief Whip

Hannah Blythyn – Deputy Minister for Social Partnership

Julie Morgan – Deputy Minister for Social Services