Efa Gruffudd Jones is looking on all political events to undertake the proposals
The Welsh Language Commissioner has unveiled a manifesto, setting out key priorities she hopes all political events will decide to forward of the 2026 Senedd Cymru election.
Within the manifesto, unveiled on Friday, June 20, Efa Gruffudd Jones stated she wished to see a rise within the variety of Welsh language companies out there to the general public and set up a specialist unit to extend the usage of the language in workplaces. Regardless of acknowledging the monetary pressures organisations are below, Jones stated she had recognized 5 areas of focus that would make a “actual distinction to strengthening the place of the Welsh language”.
The proposals come as the present Welsh Labour Authorities have set out a goal to achieve a million Welsh audio system by 2050.
Nonetheless, in accordance with the final census (2021), the variety of folks in Wales aged three and above who contemplate themselves to be Welsh audio system stands at 538,000 – 17.8% of the inhabitants, which is definitely down 24,000 because the earlier census (2011). Learn extra in our report on Welsh past the numbers
Nonetheless, the Welsh Language Commissioner believes the forthcoming Senedd time period will likely be pivotal for the language. Learn the most important tales in Wales first by signing as much as our every day publication right here.
Efa Gruffudd Jones stated: “My ambition as Commissioner goes past a slender interpretation of what’s anticipated of me and set out within the Welsh Language Measure, and I’m eager to guide a physique that does extra and contributes extra considerably to wider language planning work.
“In consequence this manifesto requires motion and steering from the Welsh Authorities, no matter its political make-up, and help to facilitate the work of different key companions, together with the Welsh Language Commissioner.
“The following few years are extraordinarily essential for the Welsh language because the Welsh Language and Schooling Invoice is delivered and because the suggestions of the Fee for Welsh-speaking Communities are carried out.
“I’m totally conscious of the pressures on our public our bodies and that’s the reason for setting out 5 particular priorities on this manifesto.
“They comply with the trail outlined in our strategic plan and I’m satisfied that these are areas the place distinction may be made in the usage of the language.
“We’ll now look to have discussions with the events with a view to current our manifesto and our rationale for setting out our priorities.
“The hope is that the events will likely be able to undertake our proposals and for these to be adopted earlier than the election subsequent yr.”
The 5 priorities outlined within the manifesto are as follows:
- Language duties – enhance the variety of Welsh language companies out there to the general public by extending Welsh language requirements to precedence areas.
- Group language planning – lengthen the Commissioner’s affect by strengthening the promotion requirements as a framework for the co-ordination of intensive group language planning.
- Workplaces – set up a specialist unit within the Welsh Language Commissioner’s workplace to extend the usage of Welsh in workplaces.
- Well being and scientific care service – rework scientific care in Welsh by way of intensive funding and motion in precedence areas.
- The training workforce – set up a five-year Welsh language coaching framework as a compulsory ingredient of coaching as a instructor in Wales.
