Mark Drakeford MS, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language
Today sees the publication of both the Cymraeg 2050 Annual Report for 2024-25 and the Cymraeg 2050 Action Plan for 2026-27.
These documents are published under Section 78 of the Government of Wales Act, and demonstrate our commitment to furthering the Cymraeg 2050: A million Welsh speakers strategy aims to deliver against its two main targets:
- Increasing the number of Welsh speakers to reach 1 million by 2050, and;
- Increasing the percentage of the population that speak Welsh, and can speak more than just a few words of Welsh, to increase from 10% (in 2013-15) to 20% by 2050.
The annual report provides an update on the progress we and several of our partners made during 2024-25. The Action Plan describes how we’ll continue to implement the objectives contained in the Cymraeg 2050 strategy during 2026-27.
The annual report provided an opportunity to reflect not only on the progress made during 2024-25, but also on the journey of language policy since the start of devolution. Today, the idea that the Welsh language belongs to us all is embedded in our national life. The strong tide of good will towards the language remains its most important asset.
Achieving our Cymraeg 2050 aims requires continued radical action. These actions are shaped by a strong belief that Cymraeg belongs to us all in Wales – those of us who speak it confidently, those who are learning Cymraeg, and those who speak only a few words or don’t speak any Cymraeg at all.
Achieving our Cymraeg 2050 aims has required immediate action, as well as strategic measures to underpin the language's long-term growth. Both the Annual Report and the Action Plan capture the breadth of our work from celebratory interventions like Dydd Miwsig Cymru to legislative change through the Welsh Language and Education Act. The photograph on the cover of the Annual Report - taken at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in Pontypridd - clearly symbolises that the work that we deliver today to celebrate the language, can also achieve a lasting legacy.
As the current Government reflects on the 2021-2026 Senedd term, it is likely that the next Government will want to review Cymraeg 2050 and consult on a refreshed strategy in light of the new requirements of the Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Act 2025 and the changes that have taken place since the publication of Cymraeg 2050 in 2017.
Until then, we’ll continue to operate in line with the principles laid out in Cymraeg 2050 and the steps contained in this latest Action Plan for 2026-27.
Work across various Ministerial portfolios and with a wide range of stakeholders throughout Wales moves us forwards on our journey towards a million Welsh-speakers. I’m confident the next Government will be able to use the excellent foundations already firmly established to further develop the language on its journey towards 2050.