(Title Image: Welsh Government, crown copyright)
Culture Committee
Impact of Covid-19 on the Welsh language (pdf)
Published: 1st December 2020
- Committee praises Welsh language organisations’ adaptability in the face of changing circumstances, with some events successfully held online.
- Big uplift in people interested in learning Welsh online, but Committee warns that online activities can’t fully replace in-person activities.
- Hundreds of jobs could be/are set to be lost in organisations such as Urdd Gobaith Cymru and Mentrau Iaith.
Many Welsh language organisations are reliant on holding regular events. The cancellation of the major Welsh language festivals (Urdd & National eisteddfodau) has had a negative economic impact on the communities due to host them, as well as suppliers and employees.
Despite being given £3.1million in Welsh Government support, Urdd Gobaith Cymru say they’ve lost £14million so far, resulting in half their staff potentially being laid off when activities resume. Mentrau Iaith hasn’t made any permanent redundancies yet, but up to 300 staff are on furlough, with some returning to work when childcare reopened.
The Committee recommended that funding – which has been cut in response to the Covid-19 pandemic – is restored to levels which wouldn’t detract from the Cymraeg 2050 policy.
One of the few positives to arise from the pandemic concerning Welsh was a greater digital reach. Many festivals which were cancelled face-to-face moved online and had high levels of engagement, such as the Urdd’s Eisteddfod T, National Eisteddfod AmGen and Tafwyl.
Additionally, more people have signed up for the Centre for Learning Welsh’s online taster courses during 2020 than the previous three years combined.
The biggest problem has been internet connectivity, which disproportionately affected rural areas and, subsequently, groups like Young Farmers’ Club. Face-to-face events were, however, still seen as important – particularly to avoid excluding older groups and those without internet or technology access.
The Committee applauded how organisations quickly adapted to changing circumstances but concluded that it wasn’t enough in itself to sustain Welsh-use in the community, as social activities remain a core reason for the existence of such organisations.
