WQ86728 (w) Tabled on 16/11/2022

What discussions have been held between the Welsh Government and the National Eisteddfod in terms of securing the future of the festival in the context of the impact of Brexit and inflation on the costs of hosting the Eisteddfod?

Answered by Minister for Education and the Welsh Language | Answered on 28/11/2022

We are in regular contact with the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol to discuss the long-term security of the Eisteddfod.   They have faced significant challenges in re-establishing the traditional festival due to the pandemic, as well as facing a significant rise in the cost of hosting the Eisteddfod.

In 2021, we provided additional funding of £200K to the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol (from the COVID-19 Response Fund) to support specific functions in preparing for  the Ceredigion and  Llŷn  and Eifionydd  eisteddfodau in 2022 and 2023, along with additional funding of £600k to contribute to the significant increase in costs for staging the Festival. 

We allocated a capital grant of £800k (£640k in 2021-22 and £160k in 2022-23) to ensure the Eisteddfod could buy stalls - as they could not be hired from suppliers for the Ceredigion Eisteddfod.  This investment will mean that the Eisteddfod can save around £200k a year and therefore provide an additional means for them to restore their structures and services.

We have also increased the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol's core grant this year by £300k to ensure the Eisteddfod has the resources necessary to stage future Eisteddfodau in a time that remains uncertain and difficult.