You will recall that 'Cymraeg 2050' includes two main objectives: increasing the number of Welsh speakers and increasing the use made of the Welsh language too. This report, therefore, demonstrates the work that has been done in response to these goals at the heart of our communities, by our grant partners, and steps taken by us as a Government. You will see that the report shows our work from early years, through statutory education provision into post-statutory education and Welsh for adults. It also covers projects to increase the use of the Welsh language in our communities.

The report is very diverse and varied because this work belongs to all parts of the Government’s work, identifying the importance of mainstreaming and rooting 'Cymraeg 2050' more broadly, and this report demonstrates very strong evidence of that.

I have no time to cover everything today, so I want to mention some highlights of the year before turning to what has happened since then in light of COVID-19. One of the highlights of last year was participation in the UNESCO International Year of Indigenous Languages. It was an excellent opportunity to raise Wales’s profile internationally as a bilingual nation and a nation that is in the vanguard in terms of linguistic regeneration.

During the reporting year, I reported on our intention to establish Prosiect 2050—a brand new unit co-ordinating the work of planning our route towards the 1 million. It will also create new initiatives to double the use of the Welsh language and will support policy departments across Government in implementing 'Cymraeg 2050'. It will work with various partners across Wales and beyond, and I look forward to seeing this innovative work carried out by the project.

Encouraging families to choose to use the Welsh language is one of the most important things that we can do on our journey towards the 1 million. So, I was very pleased to launch a consultation on the draft national policy on language transmission and its use in families. We will be publishing our final policy in the Senedd on 15 December.

Also, we have launched the Helo Blod service, which is a support and translation service available online and over the phone to small businesses and the third sector. We must also bear in mind the bread and butter work, such as increasing the number of cylchoedd meithrin, increasing the places available in Welsh-medium schools and the numbers attending those schools, making provisions for late arrivals, strengthening the education workforce, maintaining language use in the post-16 sector and developing quality educational resources, also increasing the number of adults learning, and providing a good range of Welsh-medium apprenticeships, and providing opportunities to use the Welsh language in workplaces, supporting grant partners, the Arfor programme, the role of the media, heritage, culture, tourism, language infrastructure and taking full advantage of technology.

You will see that the data contained within the report shows that we continue to face challenges in certain areas, for example, the recruitment of teachers and ensuring that young people continue to use the Welsh language once they pass 16 years of age. But, we are working hard across Government and with other partners and continue to keep a close eye on the data in order to adapt our plans if necessary.

It’s important to bear in mind that this is a snapshot of a particular period that came to an end at the end of March this year. That’s what’s contained within the report and we must bear in mind that the world has been entirely transformed since then. The Welsh language, like all other policy areas within Government, has faced major challenges as a result of COVID-19, but with all challenges, there also come opportunities. The innovation, determination and creativity of our partners have made a great impression on me. It was a pleasure to watch Eisteddfod T, Eisteddfod Amgen and to hear of the excellent voluntary work done by the young farmers and Merched y Wawr, as well as seeing all sorts of other events being staged online by the mentrau iaith. More learners have taken advantage of Welsh taster sessions at the National Centre for Learning Welsh since March of this year than the total number of learners in the previous three years taken together. And most of our partners have managed to continue to operate to the objectives of 'Cymraeg 2050' during this difficult period. I want to thank them for their great efforts in this area.

As a Government, we have responded to the pandemic by supporting partners, trying to anticipate situations and responding to them and we will continue to do that. For example, the Llond Haf o Gymraeg campaign was launched to support the parents of children who attend Welsh-medium schools. We have also held an audit of language use in our communities in order to understand the impact of COVID and to identify new opportunities for people to use the Welsh language. Now, the Cysgliad package is available free of charge to schools and small organisations. This makes it easier for more people to use the Welsh language.

We have also been considering the impact of COVID-19 and Brexit on the following: the use of the Welsh language in workplaces; the rural economy, including the agriculture sector; and the position of second homes and affordable homes. So, next year’s report will include more details on these issues and any findings on the impact of the pandemic on the Welsh language. This will all be considered as we prepare for the next 'Cymraeg 2050' work programme for the next Government.

I want to turn now to the Welsh Language Commissioner’s annual report for 2019-20, which is Aled Roberts's first full year in post. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him, once again, for his work. I do want to note that I appreciate the commissioner’s willingness, as well as his staff's willingness, to adapt the way that they have been working, particularly given the implications of COVID-19 on bodies providing Welsh language services.

The commissioner started in post by meeting a range of people in communities and organisations across Wales. He did that in order to understand the situation of the Welsh language across the nation. The journey was the basis for the commissioner’s vision for the way forward. I'm pleased that Aled shares our vision, as a Welsh Government, that regulation and creating opportunities to use the Welsh language go hand in hand. We need to do both things in order to succeed together in implementing 'Cymraeg 2050'.

The annual report refers to work that has been done in accordance with the commissioner's priorities, namely to continue to effectively regulate whilst also working with partners to promote the Welsh language. The commissioner continues to implement Welsh language standards. These standards were implemented into the health sector during the reporting period and the commissioner has also been working with bodies in supporting them to implement standards. I'm very grateful to the commissioner for his willingness to work with my officials to review the process of making the standards following recommendations made by the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee.

I'm eager to collaborate in order to push bodies forward in providing Welsh language services. We also want to create a situation where the rights of Welsh speakers are clear in order to increase the use of those services. The report also highlights the role of the commissioner in ensuring that the Welsh language is at the heart of the work of the Government as a whole. This year, more than ever before, the external challenge is crucial as we consider the long-term impacts of COVID-19 and the uncertainty posed to the Welsh language as we depart the European Union.

So, there we are. Two very comprehensive reports presenting a great deal of information about this crucially important work that is being done under the 'Cymraeg 2050' banner. Thank you.