Ceredigion MP Mark Williams has expressed concern about the 5% fall in the number of Welsh speakers in Ceredigion.

While there were signs of promise from the Census data, particularly in the number of children and young adults who were able to speak Welsh, Mr Williams is concerned that this is being offset by a lack of jobs and affordable housing in Ceredigion, which is forces Welsh speaking youngsters to move outside of Ceredigion to seek work.

Mr Williams said: “These figures are particularly concerning because they show that, despite an increase in children and young adults speaking Welsh, it indicates that pressure on housing and employment in Ceredigion is forcing young people who have received Welsh medium education out of Ceredigion.

“Whilst this does largely explain the fall here in Ceredigion it also highlights the need for the Welsh Government to greatly invest in housing and jobs in rural areas like ours, so that our young people are not forced out of our area to find work.”