8. Debate: Welsh Language Commissioner's Annual Report 2021-22

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:58 pm on 15 November 2022.

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Photo of Jeremy Miles Jeremy Miles Labour 5:58, 15 November 2022

(Translated)

Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you to everyone for their contributions to this important debate on the Welsh Language Commissioner's annual report. I just want to conclude, if I may, by talking about the evolution, as Alun Davies outlined there, which is so important in language policy and how we ensure the prosperity of the language and equal access to it to all those who want to use the language and learn the language, and ensuring opportunities for all. The ability and confidence to review and look again at what we do, and to respond to the context that we face, is very important indeed as we expand opportunities for people.

Language rights are very important. They are important to users of the Welsh language, but it's also very clear that we won't regulate ourselves to the prosperity of the Welsh language. We need some creativity and imagination in how we expand opportunities to use the Welsh language. Heledd Fychan mentioned being restricted to promotion. Promotion is important; commissioners have seen that as an important part of their role across the years, and we need to look at that as a core role, along with regulation.

More than one contributor has mentioned the opportunity that we have in the context of the world cup to extend opportunities to people to learn Welsh, and whether you have 'Cymru' or 'Wales' as your name for the national team, the work that the FAW has been doing with the National Centre for Learning Welsh in providing, in partnership, resources to train the team, FAW staff and football supporters, and players and supporters at grass-roots level has been one of those examples of creativity and thinking outside of the box, in ensuring that we take all possible opportunities to remind people that they have an opportunity to learn Welsh too.

And if I could also agree with Alun's point about the fact that everyone not only has ownership of the Welsh language, but a role in protecting the language too, and that we should all work together towards the targets that we have in 'Cymraeg 2050'. Alongside the work that we do as a Government in collaboration with Plaid Cymru under the co-operation agreement, and in many other ways, I want to see more organisations and public leaders across Wales taking responsibility for the language. Through collaboration, we will ensure that the Welsh language prospers, and we will deliver that goal of ensuring that the Welsh language belongs to everyone and that everyone has an opportunity to learn Welsh and to use Welsh every day. Thank you.