Rebecca Evans (politician)

Rebecca Evans in 2016

Rebecca Mary Evans (born 2 August 1976) is a Welsh Labour politician. Since 2011, she has served as one of the four regional Assembly Members representing Mid and West Wales in the National Assembly for Wales. In 2014 she was appointed as the Deputy Minister for Farming and Food in the Welsh Government.

During the formation of the 2016 cabinet, Rebecca was appointed Minister for Social Care and Public Health.

Early life

Evans studied a BA in History at the University of Leeds writing her dissertation on the American Civil Rights Movement. She then attended Sidney Sussex College at the University of Cambridge where she received a Master of Philosophy Degree for her thesis The Time for Waiting is Gone: Lyndon Johnson and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Career before election

Evans worked as Policy and Public Affairs Officer for a national charity representing disabled people and their families. Working on behalf of disabled people and their families remains a priority for Rebecca in the Assembly. Rebecca is also a former Welsh Labour Organiser for Mid and West Wales, and a former Senior Researcher and Communications Officer for an Assembly Member.

Assembly work

Evans has 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.

Evans’ wider political interests include health, social care, equalities, welfare reform, and tackling poverty – including rural poverty.

In 2014 she was appointed as the Deputy Minister for Farming and Food in the Welsh Government.

References