Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:58 pm on 6 December 2022.
Thank you, Llywydd. You will have seen the census figures that demonstrate a further decline in the number of Welsh speakers in Wales, and a significant fall in terms of young people between the ages of three and 15 who speak the language. Now, this demonstrates, doesn't it, that a central element of the Welsh Government's policy, namely developing Welsh-medium education across Wales, is failing. Ten years ago the ambition of a million Welsh speakers was put in place as part of the response to the decline in the census figures at that point. Don't we now need to recognise that the actions are not sufficient to reach the target by 2050? As with climate change, goodwill is not the same as delivering against targets. So, wouldn't the most positive response to today's news be to ensure that the proposed Welsh education Bill would provide Welsh-medium education for all children in Wales within a clear and adequate timetable?