Cabinet meeting: 26 February 2024

• Rt. Hon. Mark Drakeford MS (Chair)
• Rebecca Evans MS
• Vaughan Gething MS
• Lesley Griffiths MS (from item 2)
• Jane Hutt MS
• Julie James MS
• Jeremy Miles MS
• Eluned Morgan MS
• Mick Antoniw MS
   
• Hannah Blythyn MS
• Dawn Bowden MS
• Julie Morgan MS
• Lynne Neagle MS
• Lee Waters MS

Officials

• Andrew Goodall, Permanent Secretary
• Des Clifford, Director, Office of the First Minister
• Matthew Hall, Head of Cabinet Division
• Toby Mason, Head of Strategic Communications
• Rory Powell, Head of First Minister’s Office
• Jane Runeckles, Special Adviser
• Madeleine Brindley, Special Adviser
• Alex Bevan, Special Adviser
• Daniel Butler, Special Adviser
• Ian Butler, Special Adviser
• Kate Edmunds, Special Adviser
• Sara Faye, Special Adviser
• Sam Hadley, Special Adviser
• David Hooson, Special Adviser
• Clare Jenkins, Special Adviser
• Owen John, Special Adviser
• Phillipa Marsden, Special Adviser
• Tom Woodward, Special Adviser
• Christopher W Morgan, Head of Cabinet Secretariat (minutes)
• Damian Roche, Cabinet Secretariat
• Catrin Sully, Cabinet Office
• Kathryn Hallett, First Minister’s Office
• Helena Bird, Permanent Secretary’s Office
• Nia James, Interim Director of Legal Services
• Tracey Burke, Director General Climate Change & Rural Affairs
• Sioned Evans, Director General, Public Services and Welsh Language Group
• Tim Moss, Chief Operating Officer
• Judith Paget, Director General Health and Social Services
• Andrew Slade, Director General, Economy, Treasury and Constitution

1.1 Cymeradwyodd y Cabinet gofnodion y 19 Chwefror / Cabinet approved the minutes of 19 February.

Visit to North Wales

2.1 The First Minister informed Cabinet that he, and the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales and Trefnydd had attended a series of visits in North Wales the previous week, but these had been disrupted by protesters, some of whom were not related to the consultation on the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).

Protests by farmers

2.2 The First Minister and the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales and Trefnydd had met, earlier that day, with a group of farming representatives who had organised protest meetings in Welshpool and Carmarthen, to listen to their concerns about the proposed changes. Ministers noted there would be a Written Statement later that week to respond to these concerns.

St David’s Day events

2.3 The First Minister informed Cabinet he would be attending a number of events in Brussels that week to promote Wales as part of the St David’s day celebrations. In addition, the Minister for Health and Social Services would be launching the Wales in India campaign in Mumbai, the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip would be visiting Dublin and the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales and Trefnydd would be attending events in London later that week.

Final Budget 2024-2025

2.4 The First Minister reminded Cabinet that the 2024-25 Final Budget would be published the following morning.

COVID-19 Inquiry

2.5 Cabinet noted that the COVID-19 Inquiry would commence public hearings in Wales the following day.

3.1 Cabinet noted there had been one change to the Plenary Grid since the papers had been circulated. Agreement had been reached with the other political parties in the Senedd on an alternative motion for the debate on budget flexibilities. Consequently, the Government motion had been withdrawn and a new motion tabled. Standing Orders would need to be suspended to facilitate this.  

3.2 Voting time was scheduled for 5:45pm on Tuesday and around 6.25pm on Wednesday.

Cabinet Secretariat
February 2024