New five-year plan to meet Welsh language target

The Welsh Language Commissioner has unveiled a five-year plan to help achieve a target of one million Welsh language speakers by 2050.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Efa Gruffudd Jones has said the remainder of her time in post will focus on the use of Welsh in the workplace, in health and social care and among children and young people.

The plan, unveiled on Monday, aims to ensure both public and private organisations put Welsh language "at the heart" of their operations.

While the commissioner cannot regulate Welsh language in private and voluntary sectors, Ms Gruffudd Jones hopes the plan will work by influence rather than regulation.

Ms Gruffudd Jones, who took up the position as Welsh Language Commissioner in January 2023, said while the picture was improving, Welsh speakers want to be able to enjoy more Welsh language services.

"We know Welsh speakers appreciate Welsh medium services and very often, especially in health settings, need Welsh medium services," she said.

The commissioner said she was working with private and voluntary sectors on a "voluntary basis".

"I hope to influence every sector in Wales, but those are the three themes I have set out as I think those three areas are very important for Welsh sectors," she said.

Currently making its way through the Senedd, the Welsh Language and Education Bill plans to improve children and young people's Welsh language skills in schools.

But Ms Gruffudd Jones said she also recognised the need for a pathway for using Welsh in the workplace once people leave school.

Dr Mandy James, bilingual communication officer for TUC Cymru, which brings together trade unions across Wales, said ensuring young people can use Welsh at work after completing their education was essential.

"Over the past few years, we've worked closely with our affiliated trade unions and members to promote the clear benefits of developing bilingual workplaces and skills," said Dr James.

"These skills are vital for safeguarding and sustaining a bilingual workforce in our communities and for creating new jobs."

Sarah McCarty, chief executive of Social Care Wales, welcomed the focus on health and social care.

Ms McCarty said: "The ability to receive care and support in your language of choice is something we are passionate about.

"There is room for improvement, and I look forward to working with the Welsh Language Commissioner and the social care sector to support the vision outlined in the strategic plan and to improve services for people who use care and support."

The plan follows Gwynedd Council's plans to make Welsh the main language of education in all schools in the county in the future.

If approved, the council aims to phase out English-medium streams gradually as part of the most significant review of the county's education policy in more than 40 years.

Ms Gruffudd Jones said more Welsh medium schools were needed to meet targets of 40% of learners attending Welsh-medium education.

At present, the commissioner said current levels were at 23%, and while on an upwards trajectory, movement was very slow.