Cabinet meeting: 20 October 2025

• Rt Hon Eluned Morgan MS (Chair)
• Huw Irranca-Davies MS
• Jayne Bryant MS
• Mark Drakeford MS
• Rebecca Evans MS
• Jane Hutt MS
• Lynne Neagle MS
   
• Dawn Bowden MS
• Vikki Howells MS
• Sarah Murphy MS
• Jack Sargeant MS

Apologies

• Jeremy Miles MS
• Ken Skates MS
• Julie James 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
• Tal Michael, 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
• Sioned Evans, Chief Operating Officer
• Jacqueline Totterdell, Director General Health and Social Care
• Andrew Slade, Director General Economy, Energy and Transport
• Judith Paget, Director General Strategy
• Emma Williams, Director General Education, Culture & Welsh Language
• Nia James, Director Legal Services
• Peter Ryland, Chief Executive WEFO (item 5)
• Steve Vincent, Deputy Director WEFO (item 5)
• Isabel Oliver, Chief Medical Officer (item 6)
• Keith Reid, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (item 6)

1.1 Cymeradwyodd y Cabinet gofnodion y 9 Hydref 2025 / Cabinet approved the minutes of 9 October 2025.

1.2 Cymeradwyodd y Cabinet gofnodion y 13 Hydref 2025 / Cabinet approved the minutes of 13 October 2025.

Cabinet meeting in Merthyr Tydfil

2.1 The First Minister informed Cabinet that the next meeting would take place in the government building in Merthyr Tydfil. Members of the Cabinet, some of whom would be travelling to Merthyr Tydfil by train, would be undertaking a number of visits locally before the meeting.

Visit to the Cardiff United Synagogue

2.2 The First Minister invited the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip to provide Cabinet with feedback on her visit to the Cardiff United Synagogue the previous day.

2.3 This had been a ‘meet and greet’ event to facilitate an understanding of how the Jewish community in Cardiff and Wales were feeling following the attacks that took place at the Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester. It was to assist policy makers in their understanding of the concerns.

2.4 There had been a wide range of attendees, including local elected representatives, South Wales Police, including the Police and Crime Commissioner, academics and a representative from the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

2.5 Among the topics raised was the rise in antisemitism and how to address it, alongside ensuring the safety of the Jewish community in Wales, in the aftermath of the Heaton Park attack. They also discussed issues experienced in schools and universities in Wales, access to public services, including health and social care, and how best to support the future of the Jewish community in Wales.

2.6 Cabinet recognised the need to embrace social cohesion.

UK government’s investment in green energy

2.7 The First Minister welcomed the recent announcement by the UK government about investing in clean energy. This was a significant boost to the Welsh Government’s ambition for the sector, by creating 15,000 new jobs in Wales, and developing vital new skills.

3.1 Cabinet considered the Plenary Grid and noted that voting time was scheduled for 6:25pm on Tuesday and would be around 6:10pm on Wednesday.

4.1 The Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership provided Cabinet with an update on the future of national historic environment services in Wales.

4.2 The review of the relationship between Cadw and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales stemmed from the Cadw Governance Review of December 2023 and the Government’s formal response from June 2024.

4.3 The Royal Commission was 1 of 3 established in 1908, one each for Wales, Scotland and England. The review was one of several over the years that examined the relationship between these Commissions and the relevant national historic environment body. In Scotland and England the Royal Commissions had already been merged into their respective national historic environment bodies, which both operate independently from government.

4.4 In late 2024, a working group was established, comprising representatives from the Royal Commission, Cadw, the relevant trade unions, and an independent heritage expert. The group considered 3 options, maintaining current arrangements, closer strategic collaboration and a full merger of Cadw and the Royal Commission within government.

4.5 The group’s report, completed in August 2025, concluded that a merger could deliver long-term benefits for the sector and for the people of Wales.

4.6 In the meantime, Cadw and the Royal Commission would continue to collaborate on key areas of work, including historic place names, the survey and records and joint efforts to provide the additional assurances sought by Commissioners.

4.7 Cabinet welcomed the update.

5.1 The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning introduced the paper, which asked Cabinet to note the internal Business Support Review report and endorse the summary recommendations.

5.2 The review had identified opportunities for immediate improvements with minimal disruption, ensuring the support aligned with the government’s economic priorities.

5.3 The review was supported by OB3 Research Ltd, who conducted interviews, validated data, and engaged with key partners such as the Welsh Local Government Association and the Federation of Small Business Wales.

5.4 It drew on a number of evaluation reports, including the BEIS Business Support Evaluation Framework, the NAO report on business support schemes, and insights from the Welsh Language Commissioner, Economic Intelligence Wales, Cardiff University, and the OECD. It also built upon work in respect of AI and SME productivity and complemented Welsh Government work on Industry Wales, the Centre for Digital Public Services and Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru.

5.5 The government’s adaptability, partnership working, and positive impact on business growth and innovation were clear strengths that had been identified within the review. Business Wales was considered to be a trusted one-stop shop, highly accessible to new and hard-to-reach entrepreneurs, with 84% client satisfaction, especially for adviser expertise and impartiality.

5.6 The Wales Business Fund contributed to 58% of supported employment growth, and the Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) met nearly all job creation objectives. Supported businesses had more than doubled the four-year survival rate compared to non-supported businesses. In addition, grant programmes had delivered substantial GVA gains and improved financial sustainability, turnover, and job creation.

5.7 Business Wales generated up to £18 in gross value added for every £1 invested, with export support programmes yielding £20 for every £1 spent. The AGP was particularly efficient in job creation.

5.8 However, the review also highlighted areas for improvement, including the need for a clearer strategy and simplification of the business support ecosystem, which currently involved many partners and could be confusing for businesses.

5.9 Proposals included seminars to bring providers together, a “no wrong door” online hub, dedicated support for major investors, and improved data and performance frameworks.

5.10 Cabinet welcomed the paper.

5.11 Cabinet approved the paper.

6.1 The First Minister welcomed Isabel Oliver, the Chief Medical Officer, and Keith Reid, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, to the Cabinet meeting and invited them to present their report for 2024-2025.

6.2 Professor Oliver presented an outline of this year’s report, ‘Reflecting on Our Health’, and thanking the previous Chief Medical Officer, Sir Frank Atherton, who had prepared the original draft. The report focused on the benefits of prevention and the need to push for positive changes in the health of the nation at societal and individual levels. The CMO confirmed her support for the recommendations and had also included an addendum setting out her views and perspective.

6.3 Dr. Reid outlined the theme of the overall report, with chapter one focusing on the health of the nation and demographics. There was now a trend of declining healthy life expectancy (HLE), and consequently people were living with ill health for a longer period of time. This was particularly impacting on women and there was a marked social gradient in HLE. While 75% of premature deaths were preventable, avoidable deaths from drugs, alcohol, and suicide continued to increase. There was a social gradient for all the risk factors for poor health. Maternal obesity was at a record high affecting 1 in 3 women, in addition, 1 in 7 pregnant women smoked. The reduction in adult smoking rates had stalled, although more recent data suggested the historical downward trend had resumed, vaping was rising and had become established in young people.

6.4 There were some positive signs, such as improved life satisfaction in young people, however, a number were reporting emotional and behavioural difficulties. There were also issues relating to physical activity and nutrition and a decline in healthy behaviour. Of particular concern was in the increase in children and young people using vapes, with two in five vaping regularly. Furthermore, 3% of all 11-16 year olds report smoking at least once a week.

6.5 Prevention was the central theme of chapter 2, which explored how healthy life expectancy was falling, the impact on the Health Service and those interventions that could make the biggest difference, such as tackling obesity, smoking and investing in the early years. The report concluded with a strong evidence-based case for renewed investment and clear recommendations for action.

6.6 The 3rd chapter focused on the health and social care workforce in Wales. Staff numbers had been increasing in response to the extra demand, however working patterns were changing and there was a need for a more sustainable and flexible workforce. There was a need for investment in digital services and prevention.

6.7 The CMO indicated that Wales had strong foundations in place, including progressive policies, a commitment to prevention and equity and a culture of collaboration. With these, along with innovation, effective implementation and development of a valid methodology to ensure sustained investment in better health outcomes, a healthier and fairer Wales was achievable.

6.8 Cabinet welcomed the report and put on record their thanks to the CMO, DCMO and the previous CMO, Sir Frank Atherton.

Cabinet Secretariat
October 2025