Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg has responded to the news that Minister Leighton Andrews has rejected the language standards proposed by the Welsh Language Commissioner. 

The society fears the Minister has given in to pressure from the private sector and other lobbyists to weaken Welsh language services. 

Responding to the news, Robin Farrar, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg commented:

"This is bad news. These standards included very basic requirements; offering a minimum Welsh language service people could expect wherever they were. The Minister's rejection of the standards raises major questions - about the process and the role of the Commissioner. Why appoint a Commissioner and then ignore her specialist advice? 

"Naturally, it leads one to the conclusion that the Government has decided that the interests of organisations and the profit of large companies, like BT, British Gas and Arriva, are more important than the Welsh language. That despite the results of the Census which show the language faces a crisis. 

Mr Farrar added:

"We have had five years of consultation on this legislation and these duties. The latest by the Commissioner: a very thorough consultation with hundreds of responses. We don't need more talk about standards, they need to be implemented - we fear there'll be more unnecessary delay as the Government in effect repeats the Commissioner's consultation.

"Thousands upon thousands of people have come to our rallies over recent months to state they 'want to live in Welsh'. Every day, people come to us with problems accessing Welsh language services. It's obvious there are serious flaws that need addressing. As more and more children receive Welsh medium education we must ensure the Welsh language goes beyond the school gates."