As has already been said by others speakers, Plaid Cymru is very supportive of this aim to reach 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050, but it’s important to acknowledge that it’s not through a series of short-term policies that we can change the situation of the Welsh language. Indeed, if this ambitious aim is to be achieved, then this strategy has to be one that can withstand political change, i.e. a change in Minister but also in the party of Government. So, we have to ensure an element of continuity and consistency over an extended period of time.

I want to use my contribution to this debate to talk specifically about an element that needs continuity, a vitally important element if the Government is to win the support of the public in reaching the 1 million Welsh speakers, namely the promotion of the Welsh language. We’ve heard several excellent contributions—from Jeremy Miles and Adam specifically, and others too, and also from Sian. As part of the budget for 2017-18, agreed between Plaid Cymru and the Government, there was a commitment to establish an arm’s-length agency to promote the Welsh language to give a new emphasis and basis for Welsh Government policy to renew and regenerate the language and to create a genuinely bilingual nation. We have to increase the emphasis on promotion of the Welsh language and not just on ensuring rights to the speakers. As it stands, the role of the commissioner is to promote, but Plaid Cymru believes it’s the role of another arm’s-length body, with experts, policies and language planning that have been built over a number of years, and that that body would be most appropriate for devising, facilitating and monitoring the kinds of promotion activities that are now needed and that’s why we need an agency—or whatever it will be called—that will lead on policy, that is responsible for a strategic oversight of the field, and has high status within Welsh Government departments, and other agencies such as Natural Resources Wales and the arts council.

Why is promotion one of the most important elements to expand the use of the Welsh language? Well, even today, in 2017, there is a lack of understanding of the benefits of learning through the medium of Welsh and even how the Welsh language is taught. Every six months or so, without fail, we have an article from one of the British newspapers alleging that Welsh-medium education prevents children from achieving their potential, that learning a dying language is a disadvantage for any child or adult who wants a quality job, and that it’s better to learn a foreign language such as French or Spanish. The most recent example was an article in ‘The Guardian’ a fortnight ago that was factually incorrect and alleged that children receiving their education through the medium of Welsh were under some kind of disadvantage as compared to their peers learning through the medium of English.

In order for the Government to reach the aim of 1 million, we need to have a change of attitude towards the Welsh language in general, as we’ve already heard, and for the people of Wales to take ownership of this objective with full confidence. To promote—’Send your children to a Welsh-medium school. The child will come out fluent in two languages, not just in one.’ Promoting the Welsh language will play an intrinsic role in all of this. Promotion is vitally important. There’s nothing to fear here, only improving the skills of your children, and we believe that we need an arm’s-length agency to lead on this promotion. Thank you.