Local authorities should use the reorganisation of local government to expand the use of Welsh as the language of work.  This is claimed by Dyfodol i’r Iaith, as local authorities in Wales present their plans for merger this month to the Minister for Local Government.

Heini Gruffudd, Chair of Dyfodol i’r Iaith said, “The reorganisation presents a golden opportunity to expand Welsh as the language of work. Gwynedd has set an example of how to do this, and councils should now merge according to their linguistic makeup.”

“This means that it is appropriate for Ynys Môn, Gwynedd, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire to be part of an arrangement which will make Welsh the language of most workers of the new local authorities in their area,  extending from the coast of south Wales to the north Wales coast.”

“This would give thousands of Welsh workers the chance to use the language daily, and this would have a positive effect on the use of Welsh by everyone who deals with these councils.”

He added, “Expanding the use of Welsh should be one of the main priorities in the reorganisation.”