JANE Hutt has celebrated 20 years as an Assembly Member.

Ms Hutt has represented the Vale of Glamorgan since the May, 6 1999 and this week marks 20 years of devolution in Wales.

As an active supporter of the ‘Yes for Wales’ campaign for devolution she said her political creed was always to bring decisions nearer to the people of Wales, craft Welsh solutions for Welsh needs and work for a fairer Wales with social justice at its core.

She served as a government minister continually from May 1999 until November 2017, making her the longest serving Labour government minister in history.

She was re-elected on May, 5 2016, and served as leader of the house and chief whip until she stepped down from the cabinet in late 2017.

Her ministerial roles have included health and social services, children, education and equalities.

She was minister for finance between 2010 and 2016 and was named as one of the most influential people in public finance in 2015.

In December 2018 she returned to the cabinet, when newly elected first minister Mark Drakeford appointed her chief whip and deputy minister in his office.

Her portfolio covers the key central functions and responsibilities of the Welsh Government, including public appointments, equalities, tribunals, crime and justice policy and the voluntary sector.

Ms Hutt said: ‘Wales has benefited from devolution in many ways being the first country in the UK to introduce the plastic bag charge, ban smoking in public places, appoint a children’s commissioner, introduce deemed consent for organ donation, declare fair trade statue and we are one of the most successful recycling countries in the world.

"I am proud to be part of the government that has achieved these developments.”