Jane Hutt
Encyclopedia
Jane Hutt AM is a Welsh Labour politician and a Minister in the Welsh Assembly Government
. Hutt has represented the Vale of Glamorgan constituency since the National Assembly for Wales
was established in 1999. Hutt has been a government Minister since 1999, her latest appointment being Minister for Business and Budget in December 2009.
, Surrey
, on 15 December 1949, Hutt's Welsh
-speaking grandparents are from north Wales. Hutt graduated from the University of Kent
, Canterbury in 1970 with a BA (Hons), gained a Certificate of Qualification in Social Work at the London School of Economics
in 1972 and an MSc at the University of Bristol
in 1995.
Hutt held non-political appointments as director of the equal opportunities organisation Chwarae Teg
and non-executive director
of the Cardiff Community Health Care Trust. Member New Deal Task Force. . School Governor. Welsh member on the New Opportunities (UK) Fund.
County Council
and a former vice-chair of the Social Services Committee. She unsuccessfully stood for election to the British Parliament in 1983 in Cardiff North
.
Hutt was elected to the National Assembly for Wales
in 1999 and immediately became Health Minister. She remained in post until January 2005 when she was removed from the position, following strong criticism over long hospital waiting lists. An independent report showed that even though waiting list time targets were higher than in England and Scotland, Hutt had still failed to meet them. As a result she faced criticism from all the major political parties in Wales, with the strongest coming from within her own party. As a result her position became untenable, as some became worried that the problems could even damage the case for further Welsh devolution.
She became Minister for Assembly Business and Chief Whip, with additional responsibility for Openness in Government; Communications Strategy; co-ordinating Government policy in relation to children; and Equality and Equality of Opportunity. In the first Cabinet of the Third Assembly she was appointed Minister for Budget and Assembly Business (31 May 2007). In the coalition Cabinet announced on 19 July 2007 she became Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills.
She is a close family friend of former first minister Rhodri Morgan
Welsh Assembly Government
The Welsh Government is the devolved government of Wales. It is accountable to the National Assembly for Wales, the legislature which represents the interests of the people of Wales and makes laws for Wales...
. Hutt has represented the Vale of Glamorgan constituency since the National Assembly for Wales
National Assembly for Wales
The National Assembly for Wales is a devolved assembly with power to make legislation in Wales. The Assembly comprises 60 members, who are known as Assembly Members, or AMs...
was established in 1999. Hutt has been a government Minister since 1999, her latest appointment being Minister for Business and Budget in December 2009.
Early years
Born in EpsomEpsom
Epsom is a town in the borough of Epsom and Ewell in Surrey, England. Small parts of Epsom are in the Borough of Reigate and Banstead. The town is located south-south-west of Charing Cross, within the Greater London Urban Area. The town lies on the chalk downland of Epsom Downs.-History:Epsom lies...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, on 15 December 1949, Hutt's Welsh
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
-speaking grandparents are from north Wales. Hutt graduated from the University of Kent
University of Kent
The University of Kent, previously the University of Kent at Canterbury, is a public research university based in Kent, United Kingdom...
, Canterbury in 1970 with a BA (Hons), gained a Certificate of Qualification in Social Work at the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
in 1972 and an MSc at the University of Bristol
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
in 1995.
Professional career
Hutt was one of the founder members of Welsh Women's Aid, a feminist organisation campaigning on behalf of women who are victims of domestic violence. She was appointed coordinator of the group in January 1978.Hutt held non-political appointments as director of the equal opportunities organisation Chwarae Teg
Chwarae Teg
Chwarae Teg - is a United Kingdom based charity working in Wales to support the economic development of women as well as working with businesses and organisations to develop and improve working practices.- History :...
and non-executive director
Non-executive director
A non-executive director or outside director is a member of the board of directors of a company who does not form part of the executive management team. He or she is not an employee of the company or affiliated with it in any other way...
of the Cardiff Community Health Care Trust. Member New Deal Task Force. . School Governor. Welsh member on the New Opportunities (UK) Fund.
Political career
Hutt was a councillor on South GlamorganSouth Glamorgan
South Glamorgan is a preserved county of Wales.It was originally formed in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, as a county council area...
County Council
County council
A county council is the elected administrative body governing an area known as a county. This term has slightly different meanings in different countries.-United Kingdom:...
and a former vice-chair of the Social Services Committee. She unsuccessfully stood for election to the British Parliament in 1983 in Cardiff North
Cardiff North (UK Parliament constituency)
Cardiff North is aborough constituency in the city of Cardiff. It returns one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post voting system....
.
Hutt was elected to the National Assembly for Wales
National Assembly for Wales
The National Assembly for Wales is a devolved assembly with power to make legislation in Wales. The Assembly comprises 60 members, who are known as Assembly Members, or AMs...
in 1999 and immediately became Health Minister. She remained in post until January 2005 when she was removed from the position, following strong criticism over long hospital waiting lists. An independent report showed that even though waiting list time targets were higher than in England and Scotland, Hutt had still failed to meet them. As a result she faced criticism from all the major political parties in Wales, with the strongest coming from within her own party. As a result her position became untenable, as some became worried that the problems could even damage the case for further Welsh devolution.
She became Minister for Assembly Business and Chief Whip, with additional responsibility for Openness in Government; Communications Strategy; co-ordinating Government policy in relation to children; and Equality and Equality of Opportunity. In the first Cabinet of the Third Assembly she was appointed Minister for Budget and Assembly Business (31 May 2007). In the coalition Cabinet announced on 19 July 2007 she became Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills.
She is a close family friend of former first minister Rhodri Morgan
Rhodri Morgan
Hywel Rhodri Morgan is a Welsh Labour politician who, as First Secretary for Wales, and subsequently First Minister, was leader of the Welsh Assembly Government from 2000 to 2009. A former leader of Welsh Labour, he was the Assembly Member for Cardiff West from 1999 to 2011...