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Reach of Welsh Language Commissioner to be extended as part of Labour-Plaid deal

22 Nov 2021 2 minute read
Aled Roberts, the Welsh Language Commissioner.

The reach of the Welsh Language Commissioner will be extended as part of a deal between Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru.

The First Minister Mark Drakeford and Leader of Plaid Cymru Adam Price have revealed the plan today in a wide-ranging cooperation agreement.

They have agreed to work with the Commissioner to implement Welsh language standards on public transport, and regulators in the health sector.

Standards will be implemented on public bodies currently outside the standards regime as well as on water companies. Work will also be begun on implementing standards in the housing sector.

The post of the Welsh Language Commissioner was created by the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011, which came into effect on 1 April 2012.

There are two principles that underpin the work of the Commissioner, which are that Welsh should not be treated less favourably than the English language in Wales, and that people should be able to live their lives in Wales through the medium of Welsh if they so wish.

‘Reduce obstacles’ 

In the agreement it says the parties will: “Work with the Welsh Language Commissioner to reduce obstacles in setting Welsh Language Standards; streamline the process for implementing standards, without weakening their impact; implement standards on public transport;
regulators in the health sector; newly established public bodies currently outside the standards regime and water companies; and begin work on implementing standards on housing associations, which will be completed in the Senedd term.”

It adds: “We are committed to the full implementation of the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 and will develop a list to prioritise the further rollout of standards under its schedules beyond the term of this agreement.”


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Grayham Jones
2 years ago

The first thing is to stop second homes in wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 and take all second homes of incomers and give them to young welsh people who can’t get on the housing market because of incomers we in wales have got to stop being little Englanders and and be proud to be welsh it’s time for a new wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Mr Williams
Mr Williams
2 years ago

I ask the Commissioner to please look at the dreadful mispronunciation of Welsh place names in our businesses and public services. E.g. one place where this needs looking at is the Arrive bus number 12 from Llandudno to Rhyl have a computer programmed announcement system that tells which stop is coming up. The places are so badly pronounced. It is also encouraging visitors and even locals to mispronounce them. In my school I try desperately to teach the youngsters I teach to say correctly our places like Abergele (instead of Ab-y-geli), Rhyl (instead of Ryl), Prestatyn (instead of Prystatyn), Rhuddlan… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Mr Williams

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