High expectations of new Minister for Welsh Language

As the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Anna Brychan MS, prepares to make a statement on her priorities for the Welsh language later today (Tuesday, 7 July), language campaigners say that the people of Wales have high expectations, and that the Welsh language needs a "radical new chapter", with respect for language rights and serious action being taken to deliver on targets.

The minister is expected to give a statement "Welsh Language Priorities" in the Senedd at approximately 3.45pm this afternoon.

Owain Meirion, National Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith said:
"The minister inherits significant powers and ready-made plans as a result of campaigns undertaken in recent years – from the power to introduce new language rights now in relation to electricity, gas and mobile phone companies; to the power to ensure that every young person in the future leaves school able to speak Welsh confidently as a result of the Welsh Language and Education Act passed last year; to plans to turn the tide that is causing the demise of our Welsh-speaking communities."

Her statement comes three days after the group's 'Troi'r Llanw' rally in Porthmadog, where speakers from all over the country called on the Government to take action to 'turn the tide' for the language. In a letter of support for the rally, Anna Brychan MS had said:

"I want to start by saying one thing clearly: the Welsh language has never developed through goodwill alone. It has progressed because people demanded change, held institutions to account, and refused to accept the status quo.

"That is why the work of Cymdeithas yr Iaith is so important. For decades, you have kept the pressure on us all – fairly, tenaciously, and sometimes uncomfortably.

"So thank you for your tireless work, and for the sacrifice of time, energy – and freedom – which has helped ensure a future for our language."

Owain Meirion added:
"Previous governments had no shortage of warm words, but were less prepared to take the necessary action to stop the decline in the position of Welsh over the last few decades and to ensure a positive future for the language, while working with the Welsh Language Commissioner behind closed doors to weaken the enforcement of our language rights.

 "We welcomed a message of support from the Minister Anna Brychan for our Turning the Tide Rally in Porthmadog over the weekend. The attention now turns to her important statement today. We look forward to some practical details – the how, when, who, how much funding – to finally turn the corner after the inaction of past governments.

 "The new Minister must present a radical new chapter that will take people's rights to the language seriously and deliver targets that will make a real difference every day to people in their communities.

 "The Minister must also state her expectation that the Welsh Language Commissioner will return to her proper work of implementing and enforcing the rights established by the Welsh Language Measure.

 "We look forward to working constructively with the new Minister to ensure that this Government will turn the tide for the Welsh language – introducing Welsh-medium education for all and the workforce to deliver it, completing the work of introducing rights under the Welsh Language Measure, extending them urgently to the rest of the private sector and ensuring they are enforced effectively, and delivering on all the recommendations of the three reports published by the expert commission on Welsh-speaking communities."

Plaid Cymru committed in its manifesto to:

• “[Act] on the recommendations of the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities,” “legislate for new protections for areas of higher linguistic density, working with local authorities to determine how and where these areas should be designated,” and “respond to the Commission’s second report and its recommendations on areas with medium and lower densities of Welsh speakers by the end of 2026, setting out a clear plan that brings together actions on all of the Commission’s recommendations.”

• “We will strengthen the rights of Welsh speakers by working to extend Welsh Language Standards to UK Government bodies and agencies operating in Wales, and to the private sector, including communications, utilities, banks, car parks and supermarkets.”

• “A Plaid Cymru government will ensure every child has the right to become a confident Welsh speaker”, “will grow the number and proportion of children and young people receiving Welsh-medium education, as a central part of reaching at least one million Welsh speakers by 2050,” and “ensure Initial Teacher Education in Wales includes mandatory Welsh-language training, with the long-term goal that all teachers are able to teach through the medium of Welsh.”