Cabinet meeting: 15 June 2026

• Rhun ap Iorwerth MS (Chair)
• Sioned Williams MS
• Mabon ap Gwynfor MS
• Anna Brychan MS
• Heledd Fychan MS
• Llŷr Gruffydd MS
• Siân Gwenllian MS
• Rt. Hon. Elin Jones MS
• Adam Price MS
• Dafydd Trystan Davies MS
• Rt Hon. Elfyn Llwyd 

Officials

• Andrew Goodall, Permanent Secretary
• Rachel Garside-Jones, Director Office of the First Minister
• Jo Salway, Director Cabinet Office
• Toby Mason, Director Strategic Communications
• Carwyn Wycherley, Deputy Head of Cabinet Office
• Aled ap Dafydd, Senior Special Adviser
• Elin Roberts, Senior Special Adviser
• Emily Edwards, Senior Special Adviser
• Francess Ifan, Senior Special Adviser
• Cai Elis, Special Adviser
• Jonathan Evershed, Special Adviser
• Rebecca Jones, Cabinet Secretariat (minutes)
• Christopher W Morgan, Cabinet Secretariat (minutes)
• Katie Mason, Cabinet Secretariat
• Andrew Jeffreys, Director Welsh Treasury (item 4)
• Emma Watkins, Deputy Director Budget and Government Business (item 4)
• Sharon Bounds, Deputy Director Financial Controls (item 4)
• Nicola Edwards, Deputy Director Equity in Education (item 5)
• Martyn Gunter, Head of Enrichment and Engagement (item 5)

1.1 Cabinet approved the minutes of 1 June.

UK government announcement on social media ban for under 16s

2.1 The Prif Weinidog referred to the recent announcement by the UK government indicating that it would be introducing a minimum age limit on under 16s accessing a range of social media platforms, similar to the model used in Australia. This was the first response to the consultation relating to social media and young people.

2.2 The Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy had discussed the proposed ban with the UK Minister for AI and Online Safety the previous morning, where it was confirmed that the focus of the ban would be on those under 16, however there would also be restrictions on functionalities, by default, for 16 and 17 year olds.

2.3 The Welsh Government was committed to protecting young people online. There would be a need to carefully assess the implications of the wider impact of the announcement on those affected and the impact on devolved areas, such as health and well-being and specifically education.  It was acknowledged that there was also a role for technology companies in considering the implications for the well-being of young people.

3.1 Cabinet considered that week’s Plenary grid and noted that the statement by the Cabinet Minister for Education and Welsh Language would focus on priorities for education; there would be a separate statement later in the term on the Welsh Language.

3.2 There had been an agreement on which political groups would chair committees.

Plaid Cymru would chair: 

• Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
• Standards of Conduct Committee
• Equality, Human Rights, and Social Justice Committee
• Economy, Energy, and Connectivity Committee
• Culture, Communications, Cymraeg and Sport Committee
• Constitution, Justice and External Affairs Committee.

Reform would chair:

• Climate Change, Environment, Sustainability and Rural Affairs Committee
• Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
• Legislation Committee
• Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
• Petitions Committee.

Labour would chair:

• Health and Social Care Committee

The Conservatives would chair:

• Finance Committee.

4.1 The Cabinet Minister for Finance introduced the paper, which asked Cabinet to approve the First Supplementary Budget 2026-2027 and note the planned communication and publication activity.

4.2 The First Supplementary Budget was the first opportunity to propose changes to the in-year budget and commence the process of aligning spending with government priorities. The focus was on a targeted set of additional resource and capital allocations to make progress on priorities, while demonstrating prudent financial management.

4.3 The paper outlined targeted allocations amounting to £164 million of resource and £130 million of capital.

4.4 Cabinet approved the paper and noted the approach for in-year management. The Supplementary Budget would be published on 23 June and debated in the Senedd on 14 July.

5.1 The Cabinet Minister for Education and Welsh Language introduced the paper, which asked Cabinet to note the findings of a recent Welsh Government national online survey on mobile phones in schools and agree the recommended approach on the restriction of such devices.

5.2 There was currently no specific legislation or guidance on the use of mobile phones in schools in Wales, however, schools and local authorities were able to set their own policies, with most schools having restrictions during lessons.

5.3 Phones in schools were associated with behavioural issues, bullying and harassment, and resulted in disengagement from education. There were increased calls for restricting their use, from staff, the media, politicians and campaign groups. In addition, earlier that day the UK government had provided an initial response to the consultation on children's use of social media.

5.4 This consultation had outlined a stronger position on mobile phones in schools, with the intention that all state-funded schools in England would be phone-free during the school day. It was anticipated the UK government would be setting existing guidelines on mobile phones in schools on a statutory basis. This would give the guidance the force of law and replace existing non-statutory guidance in England. It was recommended that Welsh Ministers should issue similar guidance.

5.5 This approach would establish a clear and consistent national expectation on limiting mobile phone use in schools, while providing clarity for leaders, staff, learners and parents. School governing bodies would have a duty to heed the guidance.

5.6 Cabinet welcomed the paper.

5.7 Cabinet approved the paper.

Cabinet Secretariat
June 2026