Cabinet meeting: 22 September 2025

• Rt Hon Eluned Morgan MS (Chair)
• Huw Irranca-Davies MS
• Jayne Bryant MS
• Mark Drakeford MS
• Rebecca Evans MS
• Jane Hutt MS
• Julie James MS
• Jeremy Miles MS
• Lynne Neagle MS
• Ken Skates MS
   
• Dawn Bowden MS
• Sarah Murphy MS
• Jack Sargeant MS

Apologies

• Vikki Howells MS 

Officials

• Andrew Goodall, Permanent Secretary
• Rachel Garside-Jones, Director Office of the First Minister and Delivery
• Rebecca Dunn, Head of Cabinet Division
• Victoria Jones, Principal Private Secretary First Minister
• Toby Mason, Head of Strategic Communications
• Sinead Gallagher, Deputy Director Cabinet Office
• Luke Young, Special Adviser
• Sarah Dickins, Special Adviser
• Madeleine Brindley, Special Adviser
• Haf Davies, Special Adviser
• Victoria Evans, Special Adviser
• David Hooson, Special Adviser
• Nadila Hussein, Special Adviser
• Kirsty Keenan, Special Adviser
• Jackie Jones, Special Adviser
• Stephen Jones, Special Adviser
• Philippa Marsden, Special Adviser
• Martha O’Neil, Special Adviser
• Mary Wimbury, Special Adviser
• Christopher W Morgan, Head of Cabinet Secretariat (minutes)
• Damian Roche, Cabinet Secretariat
• Helena Bird, Permanent Secretary’s office
• Carwyn Wycherley, Cabinet Office
• Kath Hallett, First Minister’s office
• Tracey Burke, Director General Climate Change & Rural Affairs
• Simon Brindle, Director of Commercial Procurement
• Nick Wood, Deputy Chief Executive Health
• Andrew Slade, Director General Economy, Energy and Transport
• Emma Williams, Director General Education, Culture & Welsh Language
• Phil Elkin, Legal Services

1.1 Cymeradwyodd y Cabinet gofnodion y 15 Medi 2025 / Cabinet approved the minutes of 15 September 2025.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care

2.1 The First Minister put on record her thanks to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, following his announcement on Friday that he will not be standing at the next Senedd election.

Prime Minister, UK government, Recognition of State of Palestine

2.2 The First Minister acknowledged the announcement by the Prime Minister, the previous day, formally recognising the State of Palestine. It was important to remember the Prime Minister’s comments about the need to release the hostages, bring an end to the violence and suffering and shift back towards a Two State Solution, as this represented the best hope for peace and security for all sides. It was reported the Welsh Government had been represented at a short event in London that morning, hosted by the Ambassador to the Palestinian Authorities, to mark the recognition.

3.1 Cabinet considered the Plenary Grid and noted that voting time was scheduled for 5:30pm on Tuesday and would be around 6:05pm on Wednesday.

4.1 The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning provided Cabinet with an update on the devolution of the Crown Estate, a Programme for Government commitment.

4.2 To help progress this activity, proposals had been developed for an expert group on energy devolution and the Crown Estate looking at all available options, including devolution. The focus was on building the case for devolution in a manner that strengthened public trust and reassured investors to secure green jobs. This would be announced by the Deputy First Minister as part of his oral statement to the Senedd the following week.

4.3 In addition, officials were engaging proactively with the Crown Estate to identify and pursue the policy intent. For example, additional data had been requested on the income received in Wales and forecasted income over the next 5 years. Officials had also enquired whether the Crown Estate could provide an economic impact analysis to demonstrate the proven economic outcomes within Wales.

4.4 The First Minister and Deputy First Minister would continue to take every possible opportunity to make the case for devolution of the Crown Estate.

4.5 In the meantime, Welsh Ministers would continue to make the case for devolving the Crown Estate and improving its accountability and transparency.

4.6 It was noted the Cabinet Secretary had issued a Written Statement earlier that month in response to the UK government’s strategic priorities for Great British Energy.

4.7 Cabinet noted the update.

Cabinet Secretariat
September 2025