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South Wales Argus
05-08-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Vision for future outlined by Welsh Language Commissioner
Efa Gruffudd Jones spoke at the Wrecsam National Eisteddfod today (Monday, August 4) and shared her plans for the next five years. Her recently published strategic plan focuses on children and young people, health and care, and the workplace as priority areas for action. Ms Jones said: "I have stated on several occasions that my ambition as Commissioner goes beyond a narrow interpretation of what is expected of me by the Welsh Language Measure, and I am keen to lead an organisation that does more and contributes more significantly to wider language planning work. "What has been outlined in our strategic plan and manifesto clearly shows the direction we want to take and our ambition in terms of the language." The commissioner presented her vision during a panel event in the Cymdeithasau pavilion. Deio Owen, president of the National Union of Students Cymru, welcomed the focus on younger generations. Mr Owen said: "It is disappointing to see statistics that are constantly published showing a decline in the number of Welsh speakers. "But that doesn't equate to using the language consistently. "I welcome the commissioner's intentions to prioritise children and young people and also the workplaces as young people have access to Welsh throughout their school days." The panel included representatives from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, the National Union of Students Cymru, and Wrexham University.
Business News Wales
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Business News Wales
Welsh Language Commissioner To Outline Vision for the Next Five Years
At the Wrecsam National Eisteddfod Welsh Language Commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones is set to outline her vision for the next five years while also looking forward to the next term of the Senedd. Her five-year strategic plan published earlier in the year identified children and young people, health and care, and Welsh in the workplace as three priorities to address from now until the end of her term as Commissioner. She also recently published a manifesto with clear priorities that she hopes all parties will consider adopting before the Senedd Cymru election in 2026. According to Efa Gruffudd Jones, there is a crucial period ahead of us in the context of the Welsh language: 'I have stated on several occasions that my ambition as Commissioner goes beyond a narrow interpretation of what is expected of me by the Welsh Language Measure, and I am keen to lead an organisation that does more and contributes more significantly to wider language planning work. 'What has been outlined in our strategic plan and manifesto clearly shows the direction we want to take and our ambition in terms of the language. I am keen to work to strengthen Welsh language provision and services in our priority areas, working closely with key partners. 'The Eisteddfod week offers a chance to continue those collaborative discussions and hopefully I will have the opportunity to discuss with many of our partners in the field.' Joining Efa to consider the Commissioner's priorities will be representatives from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, the National Union of Students Cymru and Wrexham University as well as the Deputy Welsh Language Commissioner, Osian Llywelyn. Broadcaster and presenter Iwan Griffiths will chair the event. According to one of the panel members, Deio Owen, president of the National Union of Students Cymru and one of the youth trustees of Urdd Gobaith Cymru, these areas need to be addressed: 'It is disappointing to see statistics that are constantly published showing a decline in the number of Welsh speakers. Having said that, from my experience young people's attitudes are certainly very positive towards the language and the Commissioner's recent research supports that. But that doesn't equate to using the language consistently. 'I welcome the Commissioner's intentions to prioritise children and young people and also the workplaces as young people have access to Welsh throughout their school days but what happens then when they enter the world of work or when they continue their studies? I look forward to contributing to the discussion at the Eisteddfod and having the opportunity to contribute more broadly as the conversation continues, hopefully, in the months ahead.' The five priorities outlined in the manifesto are as follows: Language duties – increase the number of Welsh language services available to the public by extending Welsh language standards to priority areas Community language planning – extend the Commissioner's influence by strengthening the promotion standards as a framework for the co-ordination of intensive community language planning Workplaces – establish a specialist unit in the Welsh Language Commissioner's office to increase the use of Welsh in workplaces Health and clinical care service – transform clinical care in Welsh through intensive investment and action in priority areas The education workforce – establish a five-year Welsh language training framework as a mandatory element of training as a teacher in Wales The Welsh Language Commissioner will have a stand at the Wrecsam National Eisteddfod and anyone is welcome to drop in for a chat or to ask a question. A series of activities will be held there throughout the week.
South Wales Argus
21-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Welsh Language commissioner publishes manifesto for 2026
Welsh Language Commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones launched the document ahead of the 2026 Senedd Cymru election, urging all political parties to support its proposals. She has proposed extending Welsh language standards to priority areas, creating a specialist unit to increase the use of Welsh in the workplace and ensuring compulsory Welsh language training for the education workforce. Ms Jones said: "My ambition as commissioner goes beyond a narrow interpretation of what is expected of me and set out in the Welsh Language Measure, and I am keen to lead a body that does more and contributes more significantly to wider language planning work. "The next few years are extremely important for the Welsh language as the Welsh Language and Education Bill is delivered and as the recommendations of the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities are implemented."
Wales Online
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Welsh Language Commissioner sets out five priorities in manifesto ahead of Senedd election
Welsh Language Commissioner sets out five priorities in manifesto ahead of Senedd election Efa Gruffudd Jones is calling on all political parties to adopt the proposals Efa Gruffudd Jones believes the forthcoming Senedd term will be pivotal for the language (Image: Welsh Language Commissioner ) The Welsh Language Commissioner has unveiled a manifesto, setting out key priorities she hopes all political parties will commit to ahead of the 2026 Senedd Cymru election. In the manifesto, unveiled on Friday, June 20, Efa Gruffudd Jones said she wanted to see an increase in the number of Welsh language services available to the public and establish a specialist unit to increase the use of the language in workplaces. Despite acknowledging the financial pressures organisations are under, Jones said she had identified five areas of focus that could make a "real difference to strengthening the position of the Welsh language". The proposals come as the current Welsh Labour Government have set out a target to reach one million Welsh speakers by 2050. However, according to the last census (2021), the number of people in Wales aged three and above who consider themselves to be Welsh speakers stands at 538,000 - 17.8% of the population, which is actually down 24,000 since the previous census (2011). Read more in our report on Welsh beyond the numbers However, the Welsh Language Commissioner believes the forthcoming Senedd term will be pivotal for the language. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here . Efa Gruffudd Jones said: "My ambition as Commissioner goes beyond a narrow interpretation of what is expected of me and set out in the Welsh Language Measure, and I am keen to lead a body that does more and contributes more significantly to wider language planning work. Article continues below "As a result this manifesto calls for action and guidance from the Welsh Government, whatever its political makeup, and support to facilitate the work of other key partners, including the Welsh Language Commissioner. "The next few years are extremely important for the Welsh language as the Welsh Language and Education Bill is delivered and as the recommendations of the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities are implemented. "I am fully aware of the pressures on our public bodies and that is the reason for setting out five specific priorities in this manifesto. "They follow the path outlined in our strategic plan and I am convinced that these are areas where difference can be made in the use of the language. "We will now look to have discussions with the parties in order to present our manifesto and our rationale for setting out our priorities. "The hope is that the parties will be ready to adopt our proposals and for those to be adopted before the election next year." Article continues below The five priorities outlined in the manifesto are as follows: Language duties - increase the number of Welsh language services available to the public by extending Welsh language standards to priority areas. Community language planning – extend the Commissioner's influence by strengthening the promotion standards as a framework for the co-ordination of intensive community language planning. Workplaces - establish a specialist unit in the Welsh Language Commissioner's office to increase the use of Welsh in workplaces. Health and clinical care service - transform clinical care in Welsh through intensive investment and action in priority areas. The education workforce - establish a five-year Welsh language training framework as a mandatory element of training as a teacher in Wales.
