7. Welsh Conservatives Debate: The Welsh language

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:00 pm on 1 March 2023.

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Photo of Jeremy Miles Jeremy Miles Labour 5:00, 1 March 2023

As the Member will know from our previous discussions, we've been working with our partners in relation to what is obviously the thorny challenge of increasing the numbers of teachers able to teach through the medium of Welsh. And happily, as she knows, we have a 10-year plan that we've been working on together, which is the product of lots of creativity and commitment right across Wales, and I thank all our partners for their contribution to that. We will want to make sure that everything in that plan is driven forward, so that we can maximise the opportunity of attracting people to the profession. We have a range of financial incentives, but other means as well of increasing the numbers coming into the profession to teach through the medium of Welsh.

And, as she knows, I'll be reporting regularly to the Senedd on progress against that plan, and I'm very clear that we will continue to build on the things that are effective and we'll stop doing the things that are not effective. The objective is to increase the numbers, as I know that she wants us to do as well, so that every child in Wales that wants a Welsh language education can receive one.