New rights to the Welsh language - response

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg has reacted to the new language rights published today.

Manon Elin, vice-chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg’s rights group commented:

"These regulations are far from the clear and understandable rights for which we have called. However, we do recognise that the Government has acted on some of our concerns. There are still a number of flaws which will need to be tackled as the process moves forward. There is not the statutory support for bodies that work internally through the language, and a lack of steps to move bodies forward in terms of workforce planning. Certainly, not enough is done to move bodies forward, particular in terms of normalising the Welsh language as the default provision rather than as an add-on. We are hoping politicians and the Commissioner will work hard together so the system works. The Welsh Language Measure promises rights for people to use, learn, hear and see the language, so there is a duty on the Government and the Commissioner now to ensure people are aware and take advantage of their new rights.”