6. Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: The Welsh Language Communities Housing Plan

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:57 pm on 23 November 2021.

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Photo of Cefin Campbell Cefin Campbell Plaid Cymru 4:57, 23 November 2021

(Translated)

Thank you very much, Minister, for this statement. I warmly welcome the statement. And as has been said by Mabon ap Gwynfor, I am very pleased to see that so many exciting and crucial policies for our Welsh-speaking communities have been included in the agreement between us as two parties.

I welcome the ambitious aims and objectives outlined in this statement today, and I look forward to working with you on these important issues in order to create a better Wales, where the Welsh language and our culture can prosper and where Welsh language communities are supported and safeguarded, and where the lives of people will improve in general terms.

I certainly welcome the ambition of the various policies outlined, and language campaigners, me among them, along with Plaid Cymru, have been fighting for a long time—over decades, indeed—to try and tackle the problem of housing, and second homes particularly, in our Welsh-speaking communities, and the principle that has been acknowledged by the Minister for Climate Change, and yourself in this statement—the important principle that local people should be able to afford to live in the communities in which they grew up.

I'm pleased that this is a clear statement from you as a Government, although I do fear that the statement and the implementation that will follow, hopefully, is a little too late in the day for some of those communities that have already been lost in terms of the very high number of second homes and the number of individuals who have suffered as a result of that. But we are here to deliver the strategic aims of 'Cymraeg 2050', and what's important, of course, is to see how housing policy, planning policy and Welsh language policy can dovetail in a strategy that is positive and beneficial. And, of course, part of the solution to the problem of trying to retain young people in their communities is, yes, housing, but also strengthening the local economy, so that people can find work in those areas, make a meaningful and considered contribution to their local communities and make a good living in the areas of their choice. The old Cymdeithas yr Iaith slogan of many years ago comes to mind: 'Tai a gwaith i gadw'r iaith'—housing and work to save the language.

So, specifically in terms of questions to you. You've placed great emphasis on housing and strengthening the economy, so, in that regard, can you explain exactly what you have in mind in terms of strengthening the economy and securing housing for local people? What particular plans do you have to tackle those issues? And in terms of housing developments, this is a sensitive issue also, because housing developments need to happen where there is demand for that housing. Very often, these developments are built at the outskirts of our towns, and that means that these developments are a long way from important services, a long way from schools, from public transport provision and even access to jobs, and, very often, these housing developments don't include enough affordable housing. I want to echo one point that's been made by the Conservatives already, namely that we need more of an emphasis on bringing empty homes back into use. So, will you as Minister outline how your Government intends to ensure that new homes meet local needs, particularly in Welsh-speaking areas, and how new housing and the planning process can lead to better outcomes for the language and young Welsh speakers? And also, what are the responsibilities of housing associations in terms of their letting policies in terms of safeguarding Welsh-speaking communities?

As I said, in general terms I welcome the diverse policy solutions that we've heard about already, but, despite how ambitious some of these measures appear to be, I would like a little more detail, first of all in terms of providing support to social enterprises and community co-operative businesses—well, to do what and what are their purpose? The pilot project in terms of the tourism sector: what's the model you're going to use there, what's the role of the cultural ambassadors and who will they be accountable to? The establishment of a commission: what does that mean, is that a task and finish group or a standing body? And also the economy and language round-table: I have been part of that since the outset, and I think we do need to now make progress and see planning for particular actions to be taken.

And to conclude, Llywydd, if I may, in order to deliver these objectives, we need funding and resources, of course. So, could you give us further details on what financial support and what expertise can be provided by Government in order to put these measures in places? Thank you.