Welsh Government
 | |
| Type: | Government Entity |
| Industry: | Politics |
| Founded: | 1999 |
| Headquarters: | Crown Buildings,
Cathays Park, Cardiff |
| Country: | Wales |
| Employees: | 5,590 [1] |
| Website: | wales.gov.uk |
| Facebook: | Welsh Government |
| Twitter: |  @WelshGovernment
|
| Key People | |
| Carwyn Jones, First Minister | |
The Welsh Government represents the devolved government of Wales and it is responsible in developing government programs that affects the daily lives of its citizens such as health, education, language and culture, economic development, environment, transportation, social and public services. The Welsh Government serves as the executive body of Wales and it is headed by the First Minister. Carwyn Jones is the current First Minister. He assisted by a Cabinet, which is composed of Welsh Ministers and Deputy Ministers and the Counsel General in governing the State of Wales. [2]
The Government of the United Kingdom provides budget for the Welsh Government. Its allocated budget for year 2012 to 2013 is £14.7 billion. The governments budget is determined by the Spending Review based on the Barnett Formula. [3]
Facts About Wales
Wales has more than 3 million population and it is home to 6 UNESCO World Heritae sites. Eighty percent of the country's 20,779 square kilometers land area is devoted to agriculture. Its Official language is Welsh and English. Wales has five cities namely Cardiff (capital), Swansea, Newport, Bangor and St. David. In 2009, Wales had £44.5 billion total GVA (Gross Value Added). It has 10 universities and 1,753 maintained schools. [4]
History
In 1997, the people of Wales voted yes on a referendum for the devolution from the British Government. The 1998 Government of Wales Act was approved and mandated the establishment of the Welsh Government composed of National Assembly for Wales, the First Minister and the Cabinet. In 2006, the 2nd Generation of Wales Act was enacted and established the separation of the responsibilities of the National Assembly, which serves as the legislative and the Welsh Government as the executive body. In 2011, the people of Wales voted in favor of giving additional legislative powers to the National Assembly for Wales to create laws related to 20 areas of responsibilities of the Welsh Government without seeking the approval of UK Government. The 20 areas include:[5]
- Agriculture, fisheries, forestry and rural development
- Ancient monuments and historical buildings
- Culture
- Economic development
- Education and training
- Environment
- Fire and rescue services and promotion of fire safety
- Food
- Health and health services
- Highways and transport
- Housing
- Local government
- National Assembly for Wales
- Public administration
- Social welfare
- Sport and recreation
- Tourism
- Town and country planning
- Water and flood defences
- Welsh language
Cabinet Members and Ministers
The Cabinet is the primary decision making-body regarding the different areas of responsibilities of the Welsh government. Its decisions is conducted in an open and transparent manner. The Counsel General is the chief legal counsel of the government appointed by Her Majesty Queen as per recommendation by the First Minister and approved by the National Assembly. The Members of the Cabinet include: [6]
- Carwyn Jones, First Minister
- Leighton Andrews, Minister of Education and Skills
- John Griffiths, Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development
- Lesley Griffiths, Minister of Health and Social Services
- Edwina Hart, Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science
- Hane Hutt, Minister for Finance and Leader of the House
- Huw Lewis, Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage
- Carl Sargeant, Minister for Local Government and Communities
- Theodore Huckle, Counsel General
The Deputy Ministers are appointed to perform functions in-behalf of the Ministers on certain areas. The appointed Deputy Ministers include:[7]
- Alun Davies, Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and European Programmes
- Jeff Cuthbert, Deputy Minister for Skills
- Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services