Written Statement: Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities – Phase 2

Today at the National Eisteddfod in Rhondda Cynon Taf, I am announcing the second phase of the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities. The intention to establish a Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities was announced back in 2022, to better understand the challenges facing Welsh as a community language. 

Over the last two years, the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities has been looking at the situation of the Welsh language in areas with a higher density of Welsh speakers. The Commission has now completed the first phase of its work and is publishing its final report and presenting its recommendations to the Welsh Government today. 

I would like to thank the Commission for its work and for submitting a detailed and thorough report. The Commission outlines the various challenges facing our higher density Welsh-speaking communities and proposes possible steps to address them. I look forward to reading the report and will respond to it in due course. 

The Welsh language belongs to the whole of Wales, and indeed is also spoken outside of Wales, and the work of the Commission will take place in the context of the sustainability of the Welsh language wherever it is spoken. 

Strengthening the foundations of Welsh as a thriving social language is essential for maintaining and increasing its use in all aspects of life. This is central to the vision of Cymraeg 2050: A million Welsh speakers. 

Many areas that did not fall within the Commission’s terms of reference during Phase 1 have seen an increase in the numbers and percentages of Welsh speakers over the past few decades largely as a result of growth in Welsh-medium education. But there is also a need in these areas to increase opportunities for people to acquire and use Welsh outside of school. Here in Pontypridd, an example of such a community, we have seen enthusiasm as people have come together to prepare for the National Eisteddfod’s visit to Rhondda Cynon Taf. 

Therefore, the second phase of the Commission will aim to look closely at the position of Welsh in areas with medium or low density of Welsh speakers in Wales and beyond, considering key factors for sustaining and ensuring growth of our language.

The second phase of the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities will be chaired by Dr Simon Brooks. Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones will be the vice chair. I’m pleased to announce the names of the other members of the Commission:

• Kate Windsor-Brown 
• Malachy Edwards
• Dr Jon Gower
• Dr Gwennan Higham
• Ian Gwyn Hughes
• Dr Rhian Hodges
• Elin Pinnell
• Daniel Tiplady 

I wish the Commission all the best as it embarks on this important work. 

This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.