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Census 2011: Welsh speaking areas declining Census 2011: Welsh speaking areas declining
(about 1 hour later)
There has been a fall in the number of places where over half the population can speak Welsh, the latest figures from the 2011 census show.There has been a fall in the number of places where over half the population can speak Welsh, the latest figures from the 2011 census show.
There were 157 council wards with over 50% of Welsh speakers in 2011, compared to 192 in 2001.There were 157 council wards with over 50% of Welsh speakers in 2011, compared to 192 in 2001.
Census figures released in December showed an overall drop of 2% in the number of people who speak Welsh to 19% of the population in Wales.Census figures released in December showed an overall drop of 2% in the number of people who speak Welsh to 19% of the population in Wales.
Ward-by-ward breakdowns have now been revealed.Ward-by-ward breakdowns have now been revealed.
According to the data released on Wednesday, Llanrug in Gwynedd was the electoral division with the highest proportion of Welsh speakers - 88% - in 2011. When the first census figures on the use of the Welsh language were released last month they suggested Welsh was now a minority language in two heartlands, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.
The figures also show that there were fewer places where at least 70% of people speak Welsh, down from 59 - or 7% - to 49, which is 6%. The href="http://wales.gov.uk/topics/statistics/headlines/population2013/2011-census-welsh-language-data-small-areas/?lang=en" title="Click through to website" >latest figures released on Wednesday back this up, showing that there were no council wards in the two counties in 2011 where more than 70% of the population could speak Welsh - a key target for the Welsh government.
Apart from one ward in Conwy, all the communities where 70% of people speak Welsh were in Gwynedd or on Anglesey. Overall there were fewer places where at least 70% of people speak Welsh, down from 59 in 2001 - or 7% - to 49 in 2011, which is 6%.
Apart from one ward in Conwy, all the places where 70% of people speak Welsh were in Gwynedd or on Anglesey.
'Great concern'
Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Society) said that in the Welsh government's language strategy, there was a target by 2011 to halt the decline in the number of communities where Welsh is spoken by over 70% of the population.
Chair Robin Farrar said the figures showed ministers had "failed".
"These results are obviously a matter of great concern, especially the situation in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion where no communities with over 70% Welsh speakers remain," he said.
"Communities of that type are absolutely essential for the language - the international evidence is completely clear.
"The language and its communities face a crisis, and the government needs new policies to ensure that the language and its communities thrives."
The census data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that Llanrug in Gwynedd was the electoral division with the highest proportion of Welsh speakers - 88% - in 2011.
The Churchstoke ward in Powys where 4.3% of people speak Welsh, has the lowest proportion. It's on the border with England, near Montgomery.
Just two areas, Monmouthshire and Cardiff, have seen a percentage increase in Welsh speakers over the last decade.
There were 881 wards, or electoral divisions, at the time of both the 2011 and 2001 censuses.There were 881 wards, or electoral divisions, at the time of both the 2011 and 2001 censuses.
Shock at decline The Welsh government said it recognised the need to do more to "promote and facilitate" the use of the Welsh language.
When the first census figures on the use of the Welsh language were released last month there was shock among politicians and organisations at the decline over the last decade. "Our Welsh Language Strategy identifies the key areas that we need to focus on, to help ensure the language's sustainability," a spokesperson said.
The statistics suggested Welsh was now a minority language in two heartlands, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. "The census figures will be used to inform current and future work on the Welsh language and we look forward to working with those who have an interest in the language, to secure its future."
The latest figures back this up, showing that there were no places in Carmarthenshire in 2011 where more than 70% of the population could speak Welsh.
That has fallen from five such council wards in 2001.
Just two areas, Monmouthshire and Cardiff, have seen a percentage increase in Welsh speakers over the last 10 years.
More to follow.