A Mid Wales Senedd member said the latest Welsh Language numbers are a "massive wake up call."

Data released this week shows that the number of Welsh speakers in Powys has fallen by 2.1 per cent over the past decade.

Powys witnessed a significant drop in the number of children aged three to 15 who could speak Welsh – falling by 7.0 per cent over the past decade, compared with a Welsh average of more than the 5.7 per cent drop.

Welsh speakers aged 16-64 in Powys stayed level contrasting with the national increase of 0.3 per cent across Wales.

Meanwhile, in the age category of 65 plus, Powys saw a 2.9 per cent drop, which echoed a national decline of 2.3 per cent across Wales over the past decade.

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Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru’s Member of the Senedd for Mid & West Wales, expressed his concern over the figures and said the decline was the result of Welsh Government policy.

"Figures for the Welsh language across Mid & West Wales are hugely disappointing and clearly raise significant concerns,” said Mr Campbell.

“Questions must be asked about the extent the Labour Welsh Government has provided effective leadership on Welsh language issues over recent years, particularly in growing Welsh medium education.

“This decline has happened on their watch since they took responsibility for language planning when they disbanded the Welsh Language Board over 10 years ago.

“In Powys, the significant fall of 7 per cent in the ability of 3-15-year olds to speak Welsh highlights a failure over the past decade of delivering purposeful Welsh medium education in the county.

“We need to act urgently to halt this decline - and while there has been some progress made in Welsh medium education in the county, it clearly does not go far enough.”

“This is a massive wake-up call for everyone concerned with the future of the language, and if we are serious about meeting the target of creating a million Welsh speakers by 2050 then it's time for Welsh Government and local authorities to work together as a matter of priority to address the issue before we reach the point of no return."