Rebecca Evans (politician)

Early life and career

Evans was born in Bridgend, Wales in 1976. She obtained a BA degree in history at the University of Leeds, and an MPhil in Historical Studies at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.

She worked as Policy and Public Affairs Officer for a national charity representing disabled people and their families. Evans is also a former Welsh Labour Organiser for Mid and West Wales, and a former Senior Researcher and Communications Officer for an Assembly Member.

Member of the Senedd

Evans was elected in 2011 as one of four regional MSs representing Mid and West Wales in the Senedd for Labour. At the 2016 election, she was elected as the Labour Co-operative member for the Gower constituency and was re-elected in 2021.

Between her election in 2011 and her promotion to ministerial office, Evans served on the National Assembly for Wales’ Environment and Sustainable Development Committee and its Common Agricultural Policy Task and Finish Group, the Heath and Social Care Committee, and the Children, Young People and Education Committee. She has also served as chair of the Cross-party group on Nursing and midwifery, the cross-party group on mental health and was the co-chair of the cross-party group on disability.

Ministerial career

On 8 July 2014, Evans joined the Welsh Government as the Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, in a minor reshuffle following the sacking of Alun Davies. The office was renamed to Deputy Minister for Farming and Food in September 2014.

Following the 2016 Assembly election, she was appointed to the new role of Minister for Social Care and Public Health. She moved to another new role as Minister for Housing and Regeneration in a reshuffle on 3 November 2017.

In December 2018, Evans joined Mark Drakeford's first Cabinet as the Minister for Finance and Trefnydd (Leader) of the Senedd.

Evans introduced and was the government minister responsible for the Welsh Tax Acts etc. (Power to Modify) Act 2022 which allowed the Welsh government to amend tax law using statutory instruments.

References

Notes

References

1. (2024-03-21). "First Minister Vaughan Gething announces new Welsh Government Cabinet {{!}} GOV.WALES".
2. [http://www.senedd.assemblywales.org/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=375 Rebecca Evans AM], National Assembly for Wales. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
3. (August 2025). (August 2025)
4. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/election2011/region/html/19844.stm VOTE 2011 – Wales elections – Mid and West Wales], ''BBC News'', 6 May 2011. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
5. "Annual Report 2016". [[Co-operative Party]].
6. (8 July 2014). "Environment Minister Alun Davies sacked from Welsh government.". [[BBC Wales]].
7. (11 September 2014). "Leighton Andrews rejoins cabinet in reshuffle". BBC News.
8. Williamson, David. (2017-11-03). "Carwyn Jones has reshuffled his cabinet and one former minister is suspended".
9. (13 December 2021). "Welsh Tax Acts etc. (Power to Modify) Act 2022".