Eluned Morgan has been confirmed as the first female first minister of Wales.

Morgan became leader of Welsh Labour last month and has been health minister since May 2021.

Propertymark chief executive officer Nathan Emerson says her appointment comes “at a key moment where a deliverable ambition and timeline is essential for navigating the many issues being faced across Wales regarding housing”.

Emerson adds: “Propertymark has welcomed strong engagement with Welsh Government Ministers, and this must continue with the new First Minister.”

“The housing sector in Wales faces many challenges following the establishment of the Renting Homes Wales Act, which has formed a new legal framework for housing legislation in Wales.”

“The First Minister must build on this work and deliver on increasing the supply in all housing tenures through taxation reform, using the delivery of the White Paper on fair rents and adequate housing to reject rent controls and enhance property standards through improved engagement with landlords and property agents.”

Last month, Welsh housing minister Julie James was one of four cabinet members to step down, in a protest bid to oust the former First Minister Vaughan Gething.

James, the cabinet secretary for housing, local government and planning and three of her ministerial colleagues, Mick Antoniw, Lesley Griffiths and Jeremy Miles, made the move in protest at Gething’s leadership

Gething finally heeded the calls and announced his resignation after four months in the role that have been mired in controversy.

Jane Bryant was then appointed cabinet secretary for housing, local government and planning the following week.

Bryant was previously minister for mental health and early years, a role she took on in March this year.