Welsh Government
 | |
| Type: | Government Entity |
| Industry: | Politics |
| Founded: | 1999 |
| Headquarters: | Crown Buildings, Cathays Park,
Cardiff, Wales |
| Country: | UK |
| 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. 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 is assisted by a Cabinet, which is composed of Welsh Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and the Counsel General. [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.[3]
Application for .wales and .cymru TLDs
The Government of Welsh is applying for the .wales and and .cymru (Welsh for "Wales") geographical TLDs with ICANN's New gTLD Program. Nominet was chosen to file the applications and provide the technical registry services for both TLDs. [4] [5]
Facts About Wales
Wales has more than 3 inhabitants and it is home to 6 UNESCO World Heritage sites. 80% of the country's 20,779 sq km of land area is devoted to agriculture. Its Official language is Welsh and English. Wales has five principal cities: Cardiff (capital), Swansea, Newport, Bangor and St. David. It has 10 universities and 1,753 maintained schools.[6]
History
In 1997, the Welsh electorate approved a referendum for devolution from the British Government. The 1998 Government of Wales Act mandated the establishment of the Welsh Government, requiring a National Assembly, a 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 body, 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 to create laws related to 20 areas of responsibility without seeking the approval of UK Government.[7]
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: [8]
- 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:[9]
- 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
References