AMBITIOUS plans to almost double the number of Welsh speakers to one million by 2050 have been welcomed.

Yesterday, Tuesday, the Welsh Government announced the plan to drastically increase the number of people speaking the language.

The scheme focuses heavily on education, with the idea of making Welsh a central part of learning from nursery age upwards.

Officially unveiling the scheme in the Senedd yesterday, Blaenau Gwent AM and Welsh language minister Alun Davies said the language had to be seen as “more than just a communication skill you use when you need it in the workplace”.

“The Welsh language is more than that,” he said. “It’s a vital part of our culture and history as a nation.”

Plaid Cymru's Welsh language spokeswoman Sian Gwenllian described the policy as "a constructive first step".

"In order for it to succeed, the Welsh Government must show the necessary political will and leadership to achieve the aims over a sustained period of time," she said.

But she added targets around the number of youngsters being taught Welsh would have to be reviewed if the goal is to be achieved.

"The challenge to the language also stands side by side with the challenge of defeating poverty," she said.

"In order for the language to survive and thrive, the Welsh Government must ensure that appropriate economic and social conditions exist throughout our nation so that Welsh speakers can stay or return to Welsh speaking communities.

"The Welsh Government must therefore lead by example and ensure that new public sector jobs are created outside of the prosperous M4 corridor, and in those communities where Welsh is the language of everyday life."

Her counterpart with the Welsh Conservatives Suzy Davies also welcomed the proposal.

"People in Wales don’t have an homogenous relationship with its language and success will depend on persuading our different communities, different individuals why it is so valuable to be bilingual, to have skills in both our languages," she said.

"Clearly, the more pupils learn through the medium of Welsh, or hear and see more Welsh as a normal part of school life, the better the prospect of increasing fluency among the next generation of Welsh speakers."

And leader of the Assembly’s Ukip group Neil Hamilton also welcomed the plan, saying: “If we are to succeed in our ultimate objective, then we do have to convince people who don’t hear the Welsh language spoken on a daily basis at home or in their communities that this is worth making an effort to engage in.”

Meanwhile Heledd Gwyndaf, chairwoman of Welsh language campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith, said she believed it was "more than possible" to reach the target before 2050.

"In order to succeed, we need revolutionary steps in a number of fields, for example in planning the workforce, especially the education workforce," she said.

Saying "normalising" the use of Welsh was key to success, she added: "Nothing short of a revolution is needed in order to succeed."

Another campaign group, Parents for Welsh medium-Education, or RhAG, also welcomed the news.

Chairwoman Lynne Davies said: "We need to bridge the gap between aspiration and realising that aspiration.

"Working in partnership is the key, so let’s now ensure that everyone is seriously committed to achieving this in the coming years."

To view the full policy, dubbed Cymraeg 2050, announced yesterday visit gov.wales