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4 days ago
- Politics
Welsh language housing plan ‘risks division,' says Tory MS
Government proposals under fire amid concerns over bureaucracy and exclusion THE WELSH Labour Government's response to a key report on the future of Welsh-speaking communities has come under fire from the Conservatives, who claim its new language-based planning proposals risk fostering division and exclusion. Plans published in response to the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities include stronger restrictions on second home ownership, measures to prioritise housing for Welsh speakers in heartland areas, and changes to the planning system that would incorporate linguistic impact assessments into applications. While ministers say the approach is vital to protect and strengthen the Welsh language in areas where it is most at risk, critics argue the proposals are vague, heavy-handed, and likely to cause bureaucratic delays and resentment. Speaking on Thursday (May 29), Tom Giffard MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for the Welsh Language, said: 'While we welcome efforts to promote the Welsh language, the Welsh Labour Government must take a balanced approach, ensuring the needs of all Welsh residents are met. 'Policies prioritising specific areas or communities based on linguistic criteria could unintentionally exclude or disadvantage others, add bureaucracy, and create unintended consequences for residents and businesses. Such an approach risks fostering division instead of cohesion.' The Labour Government's plans follow recommendations made by the Commission earlier this year to prevent the ongoing erosion of Welsh as a community language, particularly in rural and coastal areas where house prices have surged and the number of fluent Welsh speakers has fallen. But the Conservative Party says the response fails to address underlying issues such as poor housing supply, limited economic opportunity, and a lack of transparency in the planning system. 'Labour's track record on housing is weak,' said Mr Giffard. 'They've missed house-building targets repeatedly and left thousands on waiting lists. We have serious doubts about their ability to deliver these new policies effectively.' Welsh Labour has defended its stance, saying the Welsh language is part of the nation's shared cultural inheritance and that urgent action is needed to secure its future. A government spokesperson said the policies would be subject to consultation and that local authorities would retain flexibility in implementation. The Welsh Conservatives have called for a full impact assessment and greater clarity on how the measures would affect residents, developers, and small businesses. A public consultation is expected to launch later this year, with draft guidance and legislative changes potentially following in 2026. Background The Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities, chaired by academic Dr Simon Brooks, was tasked with identifying strategies to strengthen the use of the language in everyday life. Its final report warned that Welsh may 'disappear as a community language' from parts of Wales unless targeted intervention takes place. Key recommendations included linguistic impact assessments for housing developments, expanded language requirements for public services, and greater community control over land use. While supported by Plaid Cymru and Welsh language campaigners, the proposals have been labelled 'discriminatory' by some opposition politicians and property groups.
15-05-2025
- Business
Senedd unites to pass ‘truly historic' Welsh education bill
THE SENEDD unanimously passed a 'far-reaching, truly historic' bill aimed at transforming education as part of the ambition of reaching a million Welsh speakers by 2050. Senedd Members voted 50-0 in favour of the Welsh language education bill, which aims to ensure all pupils become confident Welsh speakers by the end of compulsory school. Mark Drakeford said the bill will open doors for pupils, offer job opportunities, provide access to the rich culture of the language and allow people to use Welsh in their everyday lives. The former First Minister, who is now responsible for the language, told the Senedd the bill would open a new chapter in the history of Welsh education. Under the bill, three school categories will be created – primarily Welsh; dual language; and primarily English, partly Welsh – with targets for each for a minimum of Welsh education. The bill would also put the target of reaching at least a million Welsh speakers on a legal footing and establish the National Welsh Language Learning Institute. Ministers' Cymraeg 2050 strategy also aims to double daily use of the language by 2050. Prof Drakeford said: 'The institute will be the focal point for Welsh learning and it will help in the process of planning to develop the education workforce. It will promote innovation and continuous improvement… and will help to raise standards in learning Welsh.' Finance secretary Mark Drakeford Cautioning change will not happen overnight, the finance secretary stressed the importance of embedding the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Tom Giffard, for the Conservatives, said his party would support the bill in the final vote because 'it's extremely important we achieve that target of a million Welsh speakers'. Mr Giffard, a former teaching assistant at a Welsh-language primary school, appeared to have a pop at Reform UK – the right-wing populist party headed by Nigel Farage. 'This is at risk in future,' he said. 'There are some parties currently outside this Senedd, or perhaps within it, who want to see us reverse that development that we see, and that is very concerning for me and will be concerning in future years.' Conservative MS Tom Giffard Cefin Campbell – an architect of the bill, which was part of Plaid Cymru's since-collapsed cooperation agreement with ministers – was heartened to see cross-party support. Plaid Cymru's shadow education secretary described the bill as 'truly historic' and an important milestone on the journey to a million Welsh speakers and beyond. Mr Campbell told the Senedd: 'Time will tell if this bill succeeds in its ambition to secure one million Welsh speakers by 2050. 'At the moment, you have to say that it looks like a mountain to climb, with the summit feeling very far away. But, one of the purposes of mountains is to climb them, so why not put our language boots on and go for it.' Plaid Cymru MS Cefin Campbell In closing, he invoked the words of Gwynfor Evans, Plaid Cymru's former president and first MP, who said: 'From Anglesey to Monmouth, speakers of Welsh are again a possibility.' Responding during the debate on May 13, Prof Drakeford thanked his Tory and Plaid Cymru counterparts for their support despite not agreeing with every word in the bill. He told Senedd Members: 'Everything I've heard this afternoon tells me that we have succeeded in bringing people together.' The Labour politician, who is standing down next May, added: 'When we can come together in this way, we can do important things, not just in Wales today but in the future Wales. 'In my view, we have as a Senedd succeeded in creating an important bill – a far-reaching bill that will enable all children to become confident Welsh speakers. And, from what I've heard, it appears we will pass the bill today unanimously and that is a powerful signal.' After completing its passage through the Senedd, the bill should receive royal assent in the months ahead with no legal challenge expected from the UK Government.
02-05-2025
- Politics
New Mayor for Pembroke elected at AGM
THE WELSH Government set out plans to introduce laws on homelessness, building safety, environmental governance, greyhound racing and visitor accommodation. Julie James, who is counsel general, the Welsh Government's chief legal adviser, updated the Senedd on ministers' plans for new laws with only a year to go until the next election. Ms James told the Senedd a bill would be introduced to make homelessness support more accessible and person-centred, helping people find long-term housing quickly. She said the Welsh Government would bring forward a long-awaited environmental governance bill, establishing a new governance body and setting biodiversity targets. Giving a statement on the legislative programme on April 29, Ms James said a law would also be drafted centred on the accountability of Senedd Members. The bill would introduce a system of recall, giving voters the opportunity to remove misbehaving politicians between elections, and seek to address deliberate deception. With plans to bring in a tourism tax already afoot, the Welsh Government will also introduce a new licensing system for accommodation providers to set safety standards. The counsel general said ministers would legislate to ban greyhound racing, fulfilling a commitment made as part of a £100m budget deal with the Liberal Democrats. She stated a bill would also be brought forward to fundamentally reform building safety, with another aimed at modernising and simplifying planning law. The former solicitor suggested proposals for reform of taxis and the devolved tribunal system would be squeezed out due to a legislative logjam ahead of the next election. Conservative MS Tom Giffard Tom Giffard, the Conservatives' shadow counsel general, accused the Welsh Government of being 'out of ideas' and delivering 'everything but' the people's priorities. Mr Giffard criticised long NHS waiting lists and ministers' record on the Welsh economy, with the highest unemployment rate and lowest take-home pay in the UK. He said: 'What has been the Welsh Government's response to this? Introducing 20mph … limits up and down Wales … and creating 36 new and costly Senedd politicians.' The Tory said the Scottish Government has introduced 58 bills since 2021, including 15 in 2024 alone, with Welsh ministers lagging on 17 during this Senedd term He asked: 'What on earth has this Welsh Government been doing?' Accusing her opposite number of failing to listen, Ms James responded: 'Well, that was really amusing, thank you very much, it's always nice to be cheered up on a Tuesday … yes, I am absolutely being patronising, I'm responding to the patronising speech I just heard.' Describing plans for a homelessness bill as the most radical anywhere in western Europe, she said: 'The very idea that that's not innovative, new and progressive is for the birds.' Heledd Fychan, for Plaid Cymru, warned of instability within the Welsh Government – with Wales having had three different First Ministers in little over a year. Plaid Cymru MS Heledd Fychan The Senedd Member expressed concerns about ministers shelving plans to overhaul council tax and create a more gender-equal Senedd. Warning of gaps in environmental governance since Brexit, with Wales lagging the rest of the UK, Ms Fychan welcomed plans to 'leapfrog' the other nations. Pressed about tribunal reform being ditched, Ms James said ministers expect to publish a draft bill before the May 2026 election 'but we won't have time to get it through the Senedd'. She told the Senedd the draft bill would be 'ready to go' for an incoming Welsh Government: 'It's not where I'd have liked to have been but it's not the worst-possible scenario.' Conservative Mark Isherwood raised his backbench British Sign Language bill, introduced after he won a ballot, calling for assurances that legislative time will be made available. Ms James replied: 'It isn't … in my statement today because it's not a government bill – it's your bill – but the government will absolutely work with you to make sure it goes through.' Her predecessor Mick Antoniw, who resigned last year, criticised the opposition for failing to put forward many – if any – of their own ideas for legislation in response to the statement.
02-05-2025
- Politics
Quacking good fun returns for RNLI duck race
THE WELSH Government set out plans to introduce laws on homelessness, building safety, environmental governance, greyhound racing and visitor accommodation. Julie James, who is counsel general, the Welsh Government's chief legal adviser, updated the Senedd on ministers' plans for new laws with only a year to go until the next election. Ms James told the Senedd a bill would be introduced to make homelessness support more accessible and person-centred, helping people find long-term housing quickly. She said the Welsh Government would bring forward a long-awaited environmental governance bill, establishing a new governance body and setting biodiversity targets. Giving a statement on the legislative programme on April 29, Ms James said a law would also be drafted centred on the accountability of Senedd Members. The bill would introduce a system of recall, giving voters the opportunity to remove misbehaving politicians between elections, and seek to address deliberate deception. With plans to bring in a tourism tax already afoot, the Welsh Government will also introduce a new licensing system for accommodation providers to set safety standards. The counsel general said ministers would legislate to ban greyhound racing, fulfilling a commitment made as part of a £100m budget deal with the Liberal Democrats. She stated a bill would also be brought forward to fundamentally reform building safety, with another aimed at modernising and simplifying planning law. The former solicitor suggested proposals for reform of taxis and the devolved tribunal system would be squeezed out due to a legislative logjam ahead of the next election. Conservative MS Tom Giffard Tom Giffard, the Conservatives' shadow counsel general, accused the Welsh Government of being 'out of ideas' and delivering 'everything but' the people's priorities. Mr Giffard criticised long NHS waiting lists and ministers' record on the Welsh economy, with the highest unemployment rate and lowest take-home pay in the UK. He said: 'What has been the Welsh Government's response to this? Introducing 20mph … limits up and down Wales … and creating 36 new and costly Senedd politicians.' The Tory said the Scottish Government has introduced 58 bills since 2021, including 15 in 2024 alone, with Welsh ministers lagging on 17 during this Senedd term He asked: 'What on earth has this Welsh Government been doing?' Accusing her opposite number of failing to listen, Ms James responded: 'Well, that was really amusing, thank you very much, it's always nice to be cheered up on a Tuesday … yes, I am absolutely being patronising, I'm responding to the patronising speech I just heard.' Describing plans for a homelessness bill as the most radical anywhere in western Europe, she said: 'The very idea that that's not innovative, new and progressive is for the birds.' Heledd Fychan, for Plaid Cymru, warned of instability within the Welsh Government – with Wales having had three different First Ministers in little over a year. Plaid Cymru MS Heledd Fychan The Senedd Member expressed concerns about ministers shelving plans to overhaul council tax and create a more gender-equal Senedd. Warning of gaps in environmental governance since Brexit, with Wales lagging the rest of the UK, Ms Fychan welcomed plans to 'leapfrog' the other nations. Pressed about tribunal reform being ditched, Ms James said ministers expect to publish a draft bill before the May 2026 election 'but we won't have time to get it through the Senedd'. She told the Senedd the draft bill would be 'ready to go' for an incoming Welsh Government: 'It's not where I'd have liked to have been but it's not the worst-possible scenario.' Conservative Mark Isherwood raised his backbench British Sign Language bill, introduced after he won a ballot, calling for assurances that legislative time will be made available. Ms James replied: 'It isn't … in my statement today because it's not a government bill – it's your bill – but the government will absolutely work with you to make sure it goes through.' Her predecessor Mick Antoniw, who resigned last year, criticised the opposition for failing to put forward many – if any – of their own ideas for legislation in response to the statement.
02-05-2025
- Politics
Welsh Government sets out plans for new laws
THE WELSH Government set out plans to introduce laws on homelessness, building safety, environmental governance, greyhound racing and visitor accommodation. Julie James, who is counsel general, the Welsh Government's chief legal adviser, updated the Senedd on ministers' plans for new laws with only a year to go until the next election. Ms James told the Senedd a bill would be introduced to make homelessness support more accessible and person-centred, helping people find long-term housing quickly. She said the Welsh Government would bring forward a long-awaited environmental governance bill, establishing a new governance body and setting biodiversity targets. Giving a statement on the legislative programme on April 29, Ms James said a law would also be drafted centred on the accountability of Senedd Members. The bill would introduce a system of recall, giving voters the opportunity to remove misbehaving politicians between elections, and seek to address deliberate deception. With plans to bring in a tourism tax already afoot, the Welsh Government will also introduce a new licensing system for accommodation providers to set safety standards. The counsel general said ministers would legislate to ban greyhound racing, fulfilling a commitment made as part of a £100m budget deal with the Liberal Democrats. She stated a bill would also be brought forward to fundamentally reform building safety, with another aimed at modernising and simplifying planning law. The former solicitor suggested proposals for reform of taxis and the devolved tribunal system would be squeezed out due to a legislative logjam ahead of the next election. Conservative MS Tom Giffard Tom Giffard, the Conservatives' shadow counsel general, accused the Welsh Government of being 'out of ideas' and delivering 'everything but' the people's priorities. Mr Giffard criticised long NHS waiting lists and ministers' record on the Welsh economy, with the highest unemployment rate and lowest take-home pay in the UK. He said: 'What has been the Welsh Government's response to this? Introducing 20mph … limits up and down Wales … and creating 36 new and costly Senedd politicians.' The Tory said the Scottish Government has introduced 58 bills since 2021, including 15 in 2024 alone, with Welsh ministers lagging on 17 during this Senedd term He asked: 'What on earth has this Welsh Government been doing?' Accusing her opposite number of failing to listen, Ms James responded: 'Well, that was really amusing, thank you very much, it's always nice to be cheered up on a Tuesday … yes, I am absolutely being patronising, I'm responding to the patronising speech I just heard.' Describing plans for a homelessness bill as the most radical anywhere in western Europe, she said: 'The very idea that that's not innovative, new and progressive is for the birds.' Heledd Fychan, for Plaid Cymru, warned of instability within the Welsh Government – with Wales having had three different First Ministers in little over a year. Plaid Cymru MS Heledd Fychan The Senedd Member expressed concerns about ministers shelving plans to overhaul council tax and create a more gender-equal Senedd. Warning of gaps in environmental governance since Brexit, with Wales lagging the rest of the UK, Ms Fychan welcomed plans to 'leapfrog' the other nations. Pressed about tribunal reform being ditched, Ms James said ministers expect to publish a draft bill before the May 2026 election 'but we won't have time to get it through the Senedd'. She told the Senedd the draft bill would be 'ready to go' for an incoming Welsh Government: 'It's not where I'd have liked to have been but it's not the worst-possible scenario.' Conservative Mark Isherwood raised his backbench British Sign Language bill, introduced after he won a ballot, calling for assurances that legislative time will be made available. Ms James replied: 'It isn't … in my statement today because it's not a government bill – it's your bill – but the government will absolutely work with you to make sure it goes through.' Her predecessor Mick Antoniw, who resigned last year, criticised the opposition for failing to put forward many – if any – of their own ideas for legislation in response to the statement.
