CAMPAIGNERS have slammed a Senedd scrutiny committee report for failing to hold the government to account on plans to support children learning Welsh.

The Senedd's children, young people and education committee published its first report on the Welsh Language and Education Bill today.

The legislation is intended to provide a statutory basis for the Welsh government’s target of there being one million Welsh speakers by 2050 and ensuring that all children leave school as confident speakers of the language. 

According to Cymdeithas yr Iaith (the Welsh Language Society), the draft Bill is not strong enough to succeed in its aims and it has criticised the committee's report for not addressing those weaknesses.

Cymdeithas education chairman Toni Schiavone said: “Currently, 80 per cent of our children and young people leave school without being able to speak Welsh confidently. 

“Our concern is that this situation will persist even after the Bill has been passed by our Senedd, as it is not nearly strong enough at the moment to bring about the radical change needed.”

The language campaigners, who are organising a rally outside the Senedd in Cardiff Bay early in the new year, challenged members of the assembly to stand up for the 80 per cent of children leaving school unable to speak Welsh confidently by amending the Bill.

Children, young people and education committee chairwoman Buffy Williams said: “The committee is grateful for Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s submission and for its continued interest in our work.”

A recent YouGov poll found that 59 per cent believe schools in Wales should aim to educate all pupils to become confident speakers of their national language.