Not supporting Urdd "undermines target of one million speakers"

Not giving financial support to the Urdd movement is not consistent with the Welsh Government's target of reaching one million Welsh speakers - that's the view of Plaid Cymru's Culture Spokesperson, Sian Gwenllian MS.

Ms Gwenllian was responding to the news that 80 full-time jobs were under threat at the Urdd, Europe's largest youth organization.

In a letter to Welsh Government Minister for the Welsh Language, Eluned Morgan, Sian Gwenllian MS warned that "not responding with real investment in the organization, in order to secure its long-term future, would be inconsistent with your Government's target of securing one million Welsh speakers by 2050. ”

The Member of the Senedd for Arfon added:

"This is a target that I and my party support, but it is not possible for us to support a position of doing nothing when one of the most important organizations in Wales faces such challenges."

"As she approaches her 100th birthday, shouldn't the Urdd be rewarded with long-term stability as a thank you for her contribution to the survival of the language?"

The Welsh Government is expected to publish further details on arts and culture spending next week and Plaid Cymru will continue to press for investment that supports the Welsh language.