Commentary on Sections Part 1 – Promotion and Facilitation of Use of the Welsh Language Section 2 - Reporting on targets in the Welsh language strategy
16.This section formalises the accountability role of the Senedd in relation to the target of a million Welsh speakers and the other targets in the Welsh language strategy. This section aligns with the provision in section 78 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 for the Welsh Ministers to report annually on how their proposals have been implemented in the Welsh language strategy.
17.At least once every 5 years the report under section 78(8) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 must include an analysis of the situation of the Welsh language, which includes the elements listed in section 2(1)(a) to (f). The analysis is also required to assess the likelihood of Welsh language strategy targets being achieved, with reference to the criteria that are set to measure progress against the targets (section 1(1)(g)).
18.Following such an analysis, and if the Welsh Ministers conclude that a target is unlikely to be achieved, section 2(2) to (4) places a duty on the Welsh Ministers to lay before the Senedd a statement explaining the reasons for this, and set out the further steps they will take to achieve the target.