WIREDGOV

First Minister, Carwyn Jones, has welcomed the publication of the report and proposed work plan of the Welsh Speaking Communities Task and Finish Group.

Chaired by Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, the Group was established last year to consider how to increase the number of Welsh speaking communities.

The Group focussed on parts of Wales where Welsh is more widely spoken and used on a regular basis. Among the key matters considered were housing and the economy, Welsh language education, the use of Welsh in the workplace, and measures the Welsh Government, local authorities and other relevant organisations can take to promote the language.

The Group has taken evidence from a wide range of relevant stakeholders and asked for the public’s views to compile the report.

The First Minister said:

"The Group’s findings will assist us to address the 2011 Census figures, which showed a fall in the number of Welsh speakers in some areas where the language has traditionally been widely spoken, and to ensure people can live their lives through the medium of Welsh.

"I would like to thank Rhodri Llwyd Morgan and the rest of the Task and Finish Group for their hard work in compiling this report and proposed work plan. It makes many interesting points which I will take time to consider before outlining our response."