Part of 1. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education – in the Senedd at 2:09 pm on 8 February 2017.
Presiding Officer, I have learned to my cost never to challenge Mike Hedges on his numbers. I did so once and I’ll never do it again. I recognise both the numbers he quotes and the broader point behind that. Can I say this? I am considering at the moment the Welsh in education strategic plans. We have not received all of them yet from local authorities, and I will make a statement on the way forward when I have received all of those completed plans. However, I will say that I am disappointed by the lack of ambition that has been demonstrated by some to date. The ambition that Mike Hedges clearly describes is one that this Government is absolutely committed to, and that means that, when we do look at our strategic plans for the future of Welsh-medium education, we will do so with a view to achieving the target of 1 million speakers. That does mean a significant increase in the number of pupils attending Welsh-medium education and that means a significant increase in the provision of Welsh-medium education. When I’m in a position to do so, I will make that statement to this Chamber.