Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg has warned that the Government’s new language standards - regulations which will place duties on bodies to provide services in Welsh - could offer worse Welsh language services to the public.
The group has emphasised that Assembly Members will need to pass the standards, and that there is an opportunity, therefore, for them to be improved and strengthened before they come into force. Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg launched a clear language rights pledge at the Eisteddfod last year, calling for rights such as the right to work and play in Welsh, which was signed by Assembly Members Keith Davies, Elin Jones, and Aled Roberts as well as a number of language groups.
Robin Farrar, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg commented: “The language standards should establish new and clear rights so people can use Welsh day-to-day without difficulties or barriers - but the announcement today doesn’t include these rights, despite cross-party support for our calls. Indeed, in a number of areas such as phone services and websites, there’s a danger that the standards could mean a worse service than that promised by language schemes. Allowing a local authority to provide a Welsh language phone service which isn’t as comprehensive as the English one is something the previous legislation didn’t allow. If that is a real possibility, the First Minister has broken his promise not to offer less than the previous legislation. There are also examples in the document where one must opt-in to Welsh language services, instead of it being provided as of right.”
“We welcome the fact that the Government has moved halfway to offering things like swimming lessons in Welsh however, we believe that Welsh language swimming lessons should be a right for every child in Wales instead of being a postcode lottery.”
He added: “There will be a vote in the Assembly on these standards before the end of the year. So, one of the most important decisions will lie in Assembly Members’ hands - a decision which will steer the fate of the language over the next fifteen years and more. They have the opportunity to ensure that more people, especially the next generation, can live through the medium of Welsh.”
“Gwynedd council’s language policy has been praised for strengthening the language locally. There needs to be a higher tier in the standards which will enable the Commissioner to ensure that more bodies administrate internally in Welsh like Gwynedd Council.”
Cymdeithas yr Iaith has given the First Minister until the 1st February to state his intention to establish clear language rights as part of six policy steps they are calling for in order to strengthen the language over the years to come.