4 The Welsh Language

Welsh and English are the official working languages of the Welsh Parliament and the Welsh Government. Around 600,000 people living in Wales speak Welsh, and the Welsh Government has ambitions to increase that to 1m by 2050.

The Welsh language has been intrinsic to Welsh politics. It often underpinned national identity and – as such – has long been closely linked with Plaid Cymru, although all four Labour first ministers have been Welsh speakers.

Devolution has had a positive impact on the Welsh language, creating more opportunities for the language to be used in political debate and the drafting of law. Initiatives to support the language, such as the 2050 Agenda and the 2011 Welsh Language Measure, have undoubtedly proven beneficial to it.