Cymdeithas yr Iaith present calls for next Senedd term

Cymdeithas yr Iaith presented their main demands for the next term of the Senedd to Members of the Senedd in a briefing session, The Welsh Language in the Next Senedd, today (Wednesday, 14 January). The event was sponsored by Plaid Cymru's Welsh language spokesperson, Heledd Fychan MS.

According to the movement, action after the election this May is key in order to reverse the decline in the number of Welsh speakers that has occurred over recent decades and to ensure the future of Welsh as a living, community language.

Among the main calls is their campaign for a Property Act, which would legally establish the Right to Adequate Housing, to empower communities and establish local housing markets that give families and young people the opportunity to buy homes in their own communities.

There are also demands from Cymdeithas yr Iaith in several other policy areas. Among these are the expansion of Welsh-medium education, strengthening legal rights to use the language in all public and private services, ensuring a place for the language in the media and health and care services through the medium of Welsh.

Sian Howys, Cymdeithas’ Vice-Chair of Campaigns, who spoke on behalf of the movement during the session, said:

"There has been a political consensus for years now that the Welsh language belongs to everyone, but the decline continues due to a lack of adequate action.

"Our Actions Speak Louder than Words document sets a clear path for the Seventh Senedd - practical, measurable and courageous policies to ensure a future for the Welsh language as a living community language. The onus is now on the Members of the Senedd to act, not to be satisfied with words alone."