6. 5. Statement: The Welsh Language Strategy

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:21 pm on 11 July 2017.

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Photo of Jeremy Miles Jeremy Miles Labour 5:21, 11 July 2017

(Translated)

Well, here we are starting out on our journey with the first piece of the map in our hands. I appreciate the Minister’s tone in talking about the language as a means of uniting our communities, and that we need a national effort, not just Government policy, in order to deliver that. You’ve emphasised in your responses how inherently important the early years are in creating Welsh speakers and Welsh pupils, and enhancing demand for Welsh-medium education. In the Welsh language committee, we had evidence from Mudiad Meithrin that we need to create over 600 ‘cylchoedd meithrin’ over this period to meet the demand for early years Welsh-medium education. In the Government strategy, it mentions 150, so can you explain that disparity, first of all?

And then, generally speaking, we are very fortunate that you are also the Minister responsible for the Valleys taskforce. Can you just explain how the Welsh language strategy will impact upon those discussions?