5. Statement by the Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning: Update on Welsh Language Priorities

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:29 pm on 5 June 2018.

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Photo of Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Labour 5:29, 5 June 2018

(Translated)

Thank you very much, John. I know that your support for the Welsh language is very enthusiastic, and I know that there is a group in Newport that is campaigning to ensure that there are more opportunities for children in particular to have access to Welsh-medium education. I have visited the excellent school in your constituency in Newport, where so many people from a deprived area receive an excellent education through the medium of Welsh. That demand is there and it's coming from society. Newport is one of those areas where we are waiting to see whether local government will be willing to move a little bit further ahead with regard to their aims and their ways of providing Welsh medium education. So, we're waiting for more ideas from local government in Newport.

But I do think that what's important is that people understand now that this strategy means that we are not waiting for the demand to come from the population, but that we're leading the demand, and that's the major difference that we'll be seeing in future. So, I do also think that it's important that we do give a helping hand to people, such as in the world of business, in the shops. Where we are aware that people do speak Welsh, it's important that we know who they are and that there is an opportunity then for people to use the Welsh language when they leave school.