Aled Roberts to be appointed new Welsh Language Commissioner

Mr Roberts, who will be appointed for a term of seven years, will replace Meri Huws, when her term comes to an end on March 31st 2019.

Making the announcement, the First Minister said:

“It gives me great pleasure to announce my decision to offer the appointment of Welsh Language Commissioner to Aled Roberts. As a former lawyer, local government leader, school governor and of course, respected Assembly Member, he brings with him a range of skills and experience that make him ideal for the role.

“More recently, Aled has led the work of reviewing the system for planning Welsh medium education and worked closely with local authorities to improve their Welsh in Education Strategic Plans, a role he will relinquish in order to become the Commissioner.

“I would also like to thank Meri Huws for everything she achieved during her term as the Welsh Language Commissioner. Meri has undertaken the role with great conviction and has worked hard to extend the rights of Welsh speakers. She has laid a firm foundation upon which Aled can build.”

Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning Eluned Morgan added:

“The Welsh Language Commissioner’s main aims are to promote and facilitate the use of Welsh and to uphold the rights of Welsh speakers. Aled’s appointment is therefore vitally important in realising the Welsh Government’s vision that has been set out in the Cymraeg 2050 strategy. It sets the ambitious target of achieving one million Welsh speakers by 2050 and increasing the proportion of Welsh speakers who use the Language on a daily basis from 10% to 20% which will require a great deal of commitment from everybody, including the Commissioner.

“I look forward to working with Aled to achieve these aims and to build on the work Meri has done over the last seven years.”

Aled Roberts said:

“I have always been passionate about the Welsh Language and have greatly enjoyed recently working with local authorities on their plans for Welsh medium education and assisting the Welsh Government with their ambitions for the future of Welsh in education.

“I am excited about taking on this role, building upon the work of Meri Huws, and look forward to working to achieve the target set out in Cymraeg 2050 and ensuring Welsh speakers’ rights are upheld. I have no doubt of the scale of the challenge ahead and I am committed to forging effective relationships across Wales and beyond to meet it head on.”