Increase In The Number Of Welsh Language Speakers

EDM number 1643 in 2017-19, proposed by Hywel Williams on 09/10/2018.

That this House welcomes the data published by the Office of National Statistics confirming that the number of Welsh speakers has risen to 874,700 from 726,600 in 2008; notes the Annual Population Survey asked 31,000 people about their ability to speak Welsh in 14,500 different households in the different council areas across Wales; further notes that the number of Welsh speakers for the population rose in every local authority except Flintshire and Torfaen; recognises that Gwynedd remains the area with the highest percentage of Welsh speakers; further recognises that the Welsh language is at the heart of Plaid Cymru's programme for government, with a pledge for unprecedented support to secure the future of the language; and calls on the UK and the Welsh Governments to encourage a greater use of Welsh and ensure that speakers have opportunities to use the language wherever they choose to do so.

This motion has been signed by a total of 15 MPs.