Written question WQ97923

I know that local authorities throughout Wales are committed to delivering their Welsh in Education Strategic Plans and are making progress in many areas. Increasing Welsh language proficiency is a priority, although achieving this will take time. Careful, strategic and co-ordinated planning is needed to ensure local authorities’ new 10-year WESPs deliver on their commitments. How local authorities set out to increase Welsh language proficiency in their areas differs according to several factors. Whilst I’m clear that these local variations must be respected, I also want to see all children having the opportunity to become Welsh speakers. This is what the Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Act 2025 sets out to do. The Act’s overall objective is that all pupils leave statutory education as independent and confident Welsh speakers – that is, by 2050, level B2 of the CEFR in terms of oracy.