First Minister Carwyn Jones should resign his cabinet responsibilities for the Welsh language following the publication of the Planning Bill today (Monday, 6th October), according to campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg.  

Since publishing a draft law in December last year which did not include a single word about the Welsh language, the First Minister Carwyn Jones has promised to consider 'every practical step to strengthen the Welsh language within the planning system'. The promise came after Census results revealed a fall in the number of Welsh speakers and communities where Welsh is the majority language.   

Speaking from Merthyr Tudful, Jamie Bevan, newly-elected Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg commented: "Despite all the advice from the Welsh Language Commissioner and others, Carwyn Jones has chosen not to make the language central to this legislation. So, we have to ask him to consider his position: the Welsh language can't afford his lack of leadership. It's sad, but, given his promises, especially the clear promise in his recent policy document, giving up his responsibilities for the language is the only honourable choice he has.  

"Unsuitable plans and over-development affect places right across Wales - from unneeded housing estates to the new M4. This Bill should reflect Wales' unique needs in order to improve the environment, strengthen the Welsh language, and tackle poverty. We can't afford this copy and paste job from the system in England, it could be the death knell of our Welsh-speaking communities otherwise."   

According to the Welsh Language Commissioner, only half of Welsh councils have included a Welsh language policy statement in their local development plans.