THE announcement of Carwyn Jones’ new Welsh Government cabinet has been met with a mixed reaction.

Mr Jones was officially reinstated as first minister on Thursday, May 19, and announced his new cabinet shortly afterwards – handing Blaenau Gwent AM Alun Davies responsibility for lifelong learning.

The role of education secretary was also handed to Kirsty Williams, now the only Liberal Democrat AM in the Senedd.

The cabinet has been revamped with the title of secretary replacing ministers, and deputy minister scrapped in favour of just minister. Some former roles have also been reworked.

But Oxfam Cymru has hit out at the lack of a ministerial position with responsibility for tackling poverty.

In a statement issued by the organisation said it was “struck” by the lack of such a role.

“Nearly one in four families live in poverty in Wales - struggling to put food on the table and to adequately heat their homes - and tackling this should be high on the agenda, not completely absent,” it said.

The organisation has previously called for a deputy minister with sole responsibility for tackling poverty, reducing inequality and raising living standards to be appointed within the government’s finance department.

The statement continued: “We understand full details of each portfolio are to follow.

“We eagerly await these details, together with the Welsh Government's forthcoming Programme for Government, which should outline their plans to slash the stagnant poverty levels that have trapped Welsh families for a decade.

“The new Welsh Government, in their election manifesto, promised to be ‘there for you and your family at the moments that matter’.

“Now is the time to deliver on that promise, and to deliver it for all families in Wales.”

But head of the Welsh branch of the NSPCC Des Mannion has welcomed the creation of a children’s secretary, a role which has been handed to former natural resources minister Carl Sargeant.

Calling the news “a hugely positive step” that we welcome wholeheartedly, he said: “This change is extremely constructive progress.

“Delivering change for children must be at the heart of the new Welsh Government and there is much to do to build on a history of Welsh policy making that has long had an important focus on children.

“From improvements in online safety to the prevention of child abuse.

“We look forward to working with the new Welsh government to ensure more progress on these hugely significant issues.”

Other new appointments include former deputy health minister Vaughan Gething promoted to secretary for health, wellbeing and sport, while Mark Drakeford has been handed responsibility for finance and local government.