Welsh government unveils new measures to halt the decline of the Welsh language
Latest census data showed a small decline in the number of Welsh speakers in Wales from 19% to 17.8%.
But a big rise in the number of children speaking Welsh in Cardiff meant the true loss of the language in its historical heartlands was masked.In areas like Brynamman, at the southern tip of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, the language is in significant decline.In the 1970s, more than 90% of the village spoke Welsh. Now, fewer than 60% do so. Campaigners say this story is replicated in many majority Welsh speaking communities across western Wales, where English is now becoming the dominant language.
They argue that housing developments with insufficient affordable homes, as well as the proliferation of second homes, inflates property prices and reduces the number of Welsh-speaking families able to stay in these areas.Now, the Welsh government has announced plans to give protected status to some Welsh speaking communities akin to special conservation areas.
That would mean developers and local authorities will have to increase the consideration given to the Welsh language when applications are made.The Welsh government's Secretary for the Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford, told me he accepts this policy may lead to more developments being blocked, but says it's a matter of 'levelling the playing field' for local residents.But many in the construction industry say the last thing the planning process needs is more bureaucracy. It's also far from clear how this policy work in practice and succeed in arresting decades of decline.
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Spectator
7 hours ago
- Spectator
Keir Starmer should smash the gig economy
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Metro
7 hours ago
- Metro
Dear JD Vance, here are a few Cotswolds gems that might spice up your holiday
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Scotsman
12 hours ago
- Scotsman
Readers' letters: Qualification questions in Scotland's education ‘data desert'?
I am sure that most of us would accept that, as a sampling exercise, the PISA ratings for reading, mathematics and science may be more approximate than exact. That said, the figures for Scottish pupils have declined pretty steadily since the first such exercise in 2000. This is a very touchy point with Scottish nationalists, especially when it can be shown that English schools are scoring better than Scottish schools, as was the case in the latest PISA results in 2022. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Stan Grodynski (Letters, 9 August) prefers to focus on the 'narrow approach still taken in England'. Yet the PISA results are for pupils across the globe aged 15. It's worth noting that the normal course for 15-16 year olds in England is to take 8 to 10 GCSEs, a broad curriculum. In Scotland, pupils in S4 normally take 4-8 subjects at National 4 or National 5. Yes, the curriculum is broader at Higher than at A-level, but that argument does not wash for PISA results. It is all very well to criticise PISA results, but, for Scotland, they are the only international comparisons that we have. Over the SNP's years in government, Scotland has been withdrawn from TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) and PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study). England continues to participate in TIMSS and PIRLS, along with about 60 other countries. The Scottish administration has also, from 2018, discontinued its own SSLN (Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy). 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Five million registrations will force Parliament to be recalled from wherever overpaid MP's are sunning themselves and listen to the voices of ordinary folk who just want fairness, justice and adequate recompense for hard-work. Starmer is doomed, but will demand time to get the tenants out of his house and also a few free football tickets before he goes. It is to be hoped that he will take Rayner, Reeves and Cooper with him, a quadruple disaster which Britain never deserved. Graham Hadley, Dunfermline, Fife Tram consultation A question has been troubling me since I saw a Facebook post by Dr Scott Arthur MP advertising the consultation by City of Edinburgh Council on the route for the next tram line from Granton to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. It was brought into focus by Brian Wilson's excellent and thought provoking piece on Page19, Saturday 09th August 'Compensation is fine …- Pylons'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I would ask the question but rephrased, 'Consultation is fine but do we need more trams?' We are all too well aware the disruption and damage both physically and visually to the roadways by the work and resulting ugly cable supports and additionally financially to the affected businesses and the public purse of the first tram line plus the extension. It is well understood that tram systems work well as orbital links on wide dedicated boulevards not on narrow congested radial routes as in Edinburgh. One wonders what mayhem and reduction in pedestrian and cycling facilities would be created by taking trams up the North Bridge and through the constricted space adjacent to the Tron kirk. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Would the track have to be single with alternate running? Would the cycle route be the other side of the Tron Kirk and down the steps through Hunter Square. Given the imbecility of the Leith walk cycleway I would not put it past the council to deem this a workable solution. Bear in mind none of the route or construction was their responsibility I was once informed by Lesley Hinds, remember her, that it was entirely the responsibility of the project design/management company. Like Brian Wilson I pose the question – do we need more trams, the first line did an excellent job of replacing the 22 bus route with a slower alternative which doesn't actually go into the airport. Will the next one not simply replace the number 7 bus – more importantly where would it terminate, Cameron toll? A better alternative would be to consider regeneration of the South Suburban railway with frequent shuttle buses from existing park and ride locations which would go some way to alleviating the now endless congestion on the city bypass. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I suggest the answer may lie with the Labour party who should get their act together to win a majority in Holyrood in the forthcoming election then pull the plug on vanity projects and for the greater good of Scotland concentrate on funding the health and other core services we need and deserve. Neil Robertson, Edinburgh Drug consequences Drug deaths in Scotland have soared by 7 per cent in the past year. When these figures are added to the sorry tale of the ever-climbing numbers brought about by SNP rule and policies over the years, we really should stop and think. In essence, the basic reason for the drugs deaths' spiral is the same as that of most self-inflicted disasters initiated by nationalist administrations over the years. They do not want to emulate others in the UK who have had success in this matter. They would rather do it the uniquely Scottish way, no matter what the consequence. Alexander McKay, Edinburgh Write to The Scotsman
