Written Statement: Welsh Government response to the second phase report of the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities

Today I have published the Welsh Government’s response to the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities’ second phase report, Cymraeg in every community, strengthening the Welsh language. The response sets out how we will act on the recommendations and use them to inform our ambition for the Welsh language.

The report focuses on strengthening the Welsh language in communities where the density of Welsh speakers is medium or lower. Its central message is that a living language needs more than speakers. It needs opportunities, spaces, activities and communities where people can hear, enjoy and use the language as part of everyday life.

The report sets out 31 recommendations that call for a systematic approach to increasing the use of the Welsh language and ensuring that the Welsh language belongs to us all. The recommendations cover education, early years, technology, workplaces, sport, culture, planning, research, data and leadership.

I am pleased to confirm that the Welsh Government accepts every recommendation, either in full or in principle. We will now turn them into practical action across government and with our partners.

Although the financial situation is challenging, our ambition for the Welsh language remains firm. Current pressures will not prevent us from acting. They will encourage us to be more creative, coordinated and determined in our delivery. We will make the best use of the funding available. We will place the Welsh language at the heart of the work of the whole government and work with our partners to create new opportunities to use the language. This is not only a matter of funding; it is about using the Government’s power, influence and resources in a coordinated way for the benefit of the Welsh language. We will prioritise the actions that will make the greatest difference. 

The report will also help to shape the direction, objectives, policies and actions of our new Welsh language strategy for the coming years.

Welsh is a national language that belongs to us all, no matter who we are, where we live or how much of the language we can speak. That is why we want to take the Welsh language to people where they already are. We want it to be part of the things they already do: in education, at work, in local clubs and activities, on the playing field, in culture and online.

We will focus on positive experiences, create relevant local opportunities and use research and behavioural science to identify what works best. This will help make it easier and more attractive to use Welsh in real-life situations.

We will conduct a National Survey of Welsh Language Use over the next two financial years. The survey will strengthen our evidence on how people use Welsh and help us focus our work on what makes the greatest difference. Subject to future funding decisions, we intend to conduct the survey every five years thereafter.

The response to the Commission’s second phase report reflects the fact that Welsh language policy is a responsibility for the whole government. We will ensure that the necessary actions are developed and delivered across government, in partnership with local authorities, health boards, communities, young people and others.

Later this year, we will consult on a new Welsh language strategy. We will also consult on a new national framework for Welsh language education and learning Welsh, and on a code to describe Welsh language ability. The Commission’s work and recommendations will be an important part of this work. After the new strategy is published, its action plans will set out the actions arising from the Commission’s recommendations. The annual reports will monitor progress.

Finally, I would like to thank the chairs and members of the Commission for their expertise and dedication. They have prepared a valuable and comprehensive report. I would also like to thank all the individuals, groups and organisations who shared evidence, experiences and perspectives with the Commission.

We will continue to work together to turn widespread support for the Welsh language into greater everyday use. We will also work to create a future where the Welsh language reaches every community.