The Welsh Language in the Senedd: Welcoming the New Cabinet

Welcoming the announcement about the new government's cabinet members, Siân Howys, campaigns vice-chair at Cymdeithas yr Iaith, said:

"This is a great opportunity for the new cabinet to use Welsh as its working language, and to ensure that Welsh has full status as a working language in the government. That would send a clear message that the government has every confidence in the future of the language, and would have an immediate positive and practical impact in our public administration."

"We would like to warmly congratulate Anna Brychan on her appointment as Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language. We look forward to meeting with her soon to discuss the work of the new government. Of course, Welsh language policy extends to all areas, so we look forward to meeting with the First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, as well as other ministers to discuss the Welsh language and our communities in portfolios right across government".

Cymdeithas yr Iaith will be calling on the new government to take action across all policy areas in order to "turn the tide for the Welsh language" at a rally in Porthmadog on 4 July.

Siân Howys added that increasing the use of Welsh across the Senedd is also crucial, and is the responsibility of all parties across the Senedd:

"As the new Senedd opened, it was important that Huw Irranca-Davies as the new Llywydd held the first debate in Welsh. This is a clear sign that Welsh has more than official status in our Senedd. Up until now, the use of Welsh in the Senedd Siambr and in committees has been consistently low, and it’s important that this changes in the new Senedd. The Senedd Commission needs to make it easier for Members to learn Welsh and become more confident in their ability to use the language."