**Welsh Language Commissioner Unveils Five-Point Plan to Bolster Welsh Language Ahead of Senedd Elections**
As Wales approaches the pivotal 2026 Senedd Cymru election, the Welsh Language Commissioner, Efa Gruffudd Jones, has formally published a manifesto aimed at shoring up and expanding the role and presence of the Welsh language in civic life. Jones, who has been a vocal advocate for the Welsh language, is urging all political parties to commit to a set of five strategic priorities that she believes could profoundly strengthen the language’s position in Welsh society.
The Commissioner’s announcement on 20 June comes against the backdrop of the Welsh Government’s ambitious promise to reach one million Welsh speakers by 2050. However, census data from 2021 paints a mixed picture. The number of people aged three and over who identified as Welsh speakers stands at 538,000 – about 17.8% of the national population. This reflects a decrease of 24,000 since the 2011 census, highlighting both the scale of the challenge and the importance of immediate, coordinated action.
Acknowledging the financial constraints currently facing many organisations, Jones argues that these five priorities are nonetheless practical and achievable, with the potential to enact real change. The Welsh Language Commissioner’s office has particularly emphasised that the next Senedd term will be decisive for the future trajectory of the language, with landmark changes such as the Welsh Language and Education Bill and recommendations from the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities waiting in the wings.
In her statement, Jones said, “My ambition as Commissioner stretches beyond the basic requirements of my role as laid out in the Welsh Language Measure. I want to ensure the Commissioner’s office leads by example and becomes a more proactive force in Welsh language planning.” She called upon the Welsh Government, regardless of political configuration, to offer robust support not only for the work of the Commissioner, but for the wider ecosystem of organisations promoting the language.
The manifesto’s focus, Jones explained, is a direct response to the twin realities of need and constraint. “Public bodies are under great pressure, but this manifesto outlines five clear areas where targeted effort can make a genuine impact on day-to-day language use.” The priorities align with the Commissioner’s current strategic plan, and the office has committed to engaging with political parties over the coming months to advocate for their adoption.
Among the most significant of these five points is a proposal to extend Welsh language duties in public services by broadening Welsh language standards into priority areas. This, Jones believes, would ensure a larger proportion of essential public interactions could be conducted in Welsh, thus normalising the language’s use in daily life.
Community language planning features prominently, too. The Commissioner’s office wants to see strengthened promotional standards and a more coordinated approach to grassroots language initiatives, especially in communities where Welsh is most at risk of decline. By fostering a systematic framework for community action, the manifesto aims to support the resilience of Welsh-speaking heartlands.
In addition, the plan calls for the creation of a specialist unit within the Commissioner’s office, dedicated to boosting the use of Welsh in workplaces. This responds to concerns that the language is often relegated to the home or school and seldom used in professional environments, limiting opportunities for everyday use and development of fluency.
On the frontlines of health and social care, the Commissioner proposes a step change in clinical services, advocating for targeted investment to ensure Welsh-language provision becomes standard in key sectors. It is argued that being able to access care in one’s native language can be crucial for patient wellbeing, particularly in emotionally sensitive situations.
The final priority relates to education. The manifesto recommends the establishment of a mandatory, five-year Welsh language training framework for teachers, making it an integral element for all new educators in Wales. The intention is to ensure that the next generation of teachers is equipped to foster a bilingual learning environment across the country.
As Wales stands at what many consider a crossroads for its indigenous language, the Commissioner’s interventions aim to inspire real commitment from politicians as they craft their electoral promises. Only time will tell whether these proposals form the backbone of future language policy—but the challenge of reversing declining figures and invigorating Welsh public life with the language is now firmly under the spotlight.