Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg will meet First Minister Carwyn Jones to discuss the results of the Census, the group announced today.

Following the results of the 2011 Census results in December last year, the language group contacted the First Minister for an urgent meeting. Every party leader in the Assembly has now either arranged or in the process of arranging a meeting with the campaigners to discuss responses to the crisis facing the language.

According to the Census, there were twenty thousand fewer Welsh speakers in Wales down to 19% of the population from 21% a decade ago, and the percentage of speakers fell in all the counties of the north and west. The Welsh Government had a target of increasing the number of speakers by 5% to over a quarter of the population.

Toni Schiavone, Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s sustainable communities spokesperson commented:

“Carwyn Jones’ decision to meet us is to be welcomed; and I’m pleased that all the party leaders have responded in the same way. The recommendations in our ‘maniffesto byw’ are realistic and attainable and I hope the First Minister will respond constructively to the proposals. It’s clear from these meetings that the pressure of our campaigning - with hundreds sending messages to the First Minister - has started to bear fruit. In the meantime, our consultation with people across Wales will continue as we delveop more ideas to strengthen the Welsh language - and we will take those messages to Carwyn Jones”

“I really hope that the Government will meet us with an open mind, because the Government needs to adopt new ideas and set a new direction so there’s a way to increase the number of Welsh speakers again.”

Robin Farrar, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg:

“There is so much that can be done to strengthen the Welsh language - it’s time for bravery and new ideas from our politicians. The Welsh Government needs to accept this is a crisis that requires an urgent response. We believe it’s the wish of an increasing number of people in Wales to live in a country where we can all live our lives in Welsh; we also understand that ensuring the strength of Welsh language communities is the only way to realise that vision. What’s needed now is the political will to realise the ambition of people around the country.”

It is expected the meeting between Cymdeithas yr Iaith and Carwyn Jones will take place early in February, with meetings with other party leaders at the end of January.