Latest news with #WelshLanguageMeasure
South Wales Argus
12 hours ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Welsh Language commissioner publishes manifesto for 2026
Welsh Language Commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones launched the document ahead of the 2026 Senedd Cymru election, urging all political parties to support its proposals. She has proposed extending Welsh language standards to priority areas, creating a specialist unit to increase the use of Welsh in the workplace and ensuring compulsory Welsh language training for the education workforce. Ms Jones said: "My ambition as commissioner goes beyond a narrow interpretation of what is expected of me and set out in the Welsh Language Measure, and I am keen to lead a body that does more and contributes more significantly to wider language planning work. "The next few years are extremely important for the Welsh language as the Welsh Language and Education Bill is delivered and as the recommendations of the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities are implemented."
Wales Online
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Wales Online
Welsh Language Commissioner sets out five priorities in manifesto ahead of Senedd election
Welsh Language Commissioner sets out five priorities in manifesto ahead of Senedd election Efa Gruffudd Jones is calling on all political parties to adopt the proposals Efa Gruffudd Jones believes the forthcoming Senedd term will be pivotal for the language (Image: Welsh Language Commissioner ) The Welsh Language Commissioner has unveiled a manifesto, setting out key priorities she hopes all political parties will commit to ahead of the 2026 Senedd Cymru election. In the manifesto, unveiled on Friday, June 20, Efa Gruffudd Jones said she wanted to see an increase in the number of Welsh language services available to the public and establish a specialist unit to increase the use of the language in workplaces. Despite acknowledging the financial pressures organisations are under, Jones said she had identified five areas of focus that could make a "real difference to strengthening the position of the Welsh language". The proposals come as the current Welsh Labour Government have set out a target to reach one million Welsh speakers by 2050. However, according to the last census (2021), the number of people in Wales aged three and above who consider themselves to be Welsh speakers stands at 538,000 - 17.8% of the population, which is actually down 24,000 since the previous census (2011). Read more in our report on Welsh beyond the numbers However, the Welsh Language Commissioner believes the forthcoming Senedd term will be pivotal for the language. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here . Efa Gruffudd Jones said: "My ambition as Commissioner goes beyond a narrow interpretation of what is expected of me and set out in the Welsh Language Measure, and I am keen to lead a body that does more and contributes more significantly to wider language planning work. Article continues below "As a result this manifesto calls for action and guidance from the Welsh Government, whatever its political makeup, and support to facilitate the work of other key partners, including the Welsh Language Commissioner. "The next few years are extremely important for the Welsh language as the Welsh Language and Education Bill is delivered and as the recommendations of the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities are implemented. "I am fully aware of the pressures on our public bodies and that is the reason for setting out five specific priorities in this manifesto. "They follow the path outlined in our strategic plan and I am convinced that these are areas where difference can be made in the use of the language. "We will now look to have discussions with the parties in order to present our manifesto and our rationale for setting out our priorities. "The hope is that the parties will be ready to adopt our proposals and for those to be adopted before the election next year." Article continues below The five priorities outlined in the manifesto are as follows: Language duties - increase the number of Welsh language services available to the public by extending Welsh language standards to priority areas. Community language planning – extend the Commissioner's influence by strengthening the promotion standards as a framework for the co-ordination of intensive community language planning. Workplaces - establish a specialist unit in the Welsh Language Commissioner's office to increase the use of Welsh in workplaces. Health and clinical care service - transform clinical care in Welsh through intensive investment and action in priority areas. The education workforce - establish a five-year Welsh language training framework as a mandatory element of training as a teacher in Wales.
