Welsh Language Pledges

Seven pledges for the Welsh language for next Plaid Cymru government 1. To research effective spending on the promotion and support of Welsh speaking communities and to protect that spending for the period of government Within the first year of government we will undertake a full analysis of government spending on the Welsh language and its effectiveness. We will commission independent work to advise on international best practice, particularly with regard to supporting the language in Welsh speaking communities.

We will produce a budget for action on the Welsh language based on this research and analysis and will commit to that budget for the whole Assembly term. We will evaluate its effectiveness towards the end of the term to produce recommendations for any incoming government.

This budget would encompass spending on the Welsh language commissioner; the “mentrau iaith�; Welsh for adults; Welsh language publishing; cultural activities and such like. It would not include expenditure in compulsory education or higher and further education. These are dealt with in part below.

The budget would include capital provision for facilities for Welsh speakers and learners such as clubs and modern technology.

2. To introduce the Foundation Phase in Welsh for all pupils in Wales The evidence is clear that a second, or even third, language is best learnt at an early age. As part of our programme of multilingualism 1

(published separately…) Plaid Cymru will work towards the aim of a Welsh medium Foundation Phase of all children attending our schools.

We know that bilingualism is a valuable skill and benefits children’s cognitive development. We believe all children in Wales should have the opportunity to acquire a second language (Welsh or English) and a third as developments allow.

We will set a target of a fully Welsh-medium Foundation Phase in 20 years. Firstly we aim to ensure in ten years’ time that 50% of English primary schools use Welsh as the main medium in the Foundation Phase and that they make provision for linguistic continuation at Key Stage 2. The priority for this development would be schools in Welsh speaking communities or those communities which have a continuingly strong presence of Welsh speakers. For example, this would build on the work already recommended by Cefin Campbell for Carmarthenshire and accepted by the local authority.

We would ensure that a further target is set after ten years to make sure that the remaining English primary schools follow the same pattern.

3. We will introduce further provision in further education for Welsh medium education using the “Coleg Cymraeg” model The Coleg Cymraeg was a successful innovation introduced when Plaid Cymru was in the One Wales government. Now that the FE sector has a common contract for employment, we will apply the same way of working to increase provision of Welsh language teaching in the FE sector.

Though Welsh language provision has increased in the sector, the increased choice of vocational subjects in the 14-19 learning pathways and the need to ensure good Welsh speaking skills in many sectors (as evidence by the Welsh Government’s research publication Welsh language skills needs in eight sectors http://wales.gov.uk/statistics-and-research/welsh-language-skillsneeds-eight-sectors/?lang=en) demands a step-change of provision. The Coleg Cymraeg model, which allows direct employment of tutors as well as co-ordination by different colleges, can be adapted to the sector.

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4. Develop a bespoke economic strategy to support Welsh speakers in entrepreneurship and to support business development in Welsh speaking areas Plaid Cymru believes that a strong regional and community economy is needed in the Welsh-speaking heartlands if the language is to prosper as a community language. We acknowledge the need to promote Welsh language skills and to ensure that businesses and employers appreciate it.

Plaid Cymru accepts the recommendations of the working party established by the Welsh Government (http://wales.gov.uk/topics/businessandeconomy/policy/wled/?s kip=1&lang=en) that Welsh-language growth centres should initially be established in Carmarthen, Aberystwyth and Bangor/Menai.

A Plaid Cymru government would provide support, mentoring and training for people to start up their own businesses in these areas, with the aid of European funding.

A Plaid Cymru government would build a workforce with Welsh language skills in sectors where there is at present a scarcity, promoting the benefits of Welsh language skills to businesses and employers.

Specifically, a Plaid Cymru government would build Welsh language skills by increaisng the number of apprenticeships and vocational courses available through the medium of Welsh and introducing Welsh language elements into apprenticeships and vocational courses where this would be beneficial.

To support this work in the growth centres, a Plaid Cymru government would use the Welsh language standards to enable more local authorities to follow the good practice of Gwynedd Council and carry out their internal administration in Welsh. We would establish a public service skills college to assist us in attaining this goal.

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5. Complete the work of delivering the Welsh language standards and consult on the Language Act in relation to the private sector Plaid Cymru is bringing pressure to bear on the present government to complete the task of introducing and legislating on the language standards outlined in the Welsh Language measure.

The present government is dragging its feet in this regard. A Plaid Cymru government would complete the task, and after the standards have bedded down and showed progress, would consult on a comprehensive act which would eliminate the disadvantages of the current Measure deriving from the legislative consent method of enactment, and would consider appropriate measures for the private sector.

6. Make the Welsh language a key consideration in planning decisions We will work with Welsh Government and in the Assembly to strengthen legislation such as the Planning and Future Generations Bills in order to ensure that the Welsh language is a key consideration in planning decisions.

A Plaid Cymru government would use this legislation to provide strong guidance to planning authorities through the Technical Advice Note process.

In particular, we would consult on the proposal of language action zones which would permit local authorities to take steps to ensure the appropriate visual display of the language in situations such as advertising, shop frontages and historic place names.

7. Support the devolution of broadcasting to the National Assembly

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A Plaid Cymru government would press hard for the implementation of the Silk Commission’s recommendation that the BBC should have a devolved governance body to scrutinise output in Wales with the responsibility for funding the public expenditure element of S4C devolved.

Plaid Cymru would expect the BBC to deliver a second Welsh language radio service as part of its on-going response to devolution and constitutional changes in the UK.

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