A report published by the British Parliament revealed that Welsh MPs have claimed thousands of pounds to learn foreign languages.
MP Stephen Crabb, who is Conservative MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire, and MP Nia Griffiith, who is Labor MP for Llanelli, have spent more than £2,000 respectively on learning the languages.
Since 2001, the House of Commons has approved funding to enable MPs to receive training “consistent with their parliamentary duties”. This training includes learning a new language or developing existing skills.
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The service is organized by the Learning and Development team and courses are delivered by approved training providers.
(Photo: Philip Coburn)
Between 2020 and 2021, data shows that 15 MPs across the UK have spent funds on language learning, which ranges from £75 to £8,244.03 and ends in a total of £33,931.13 £.
In the financial year 20/21, MP Stephen Crabb spent £2,329.00 of taxpayers’ money to learn French. Nia Griffith MP spent £3,822.84 learning Polish.
Here’s how they compare to the rest of the MPs who applied for funding:
2020-21
The details of the 20/21 financial year are presented below:
| deputy : | Language: | Cost: |
| Antoine Higginbotham | Russian | £350.00 |
| Bob Seely, MP | Russian | £1,598.73 |
| Christian Wakeford, MP | Hebrew | €2,106.09 |
| Daniel Kawczynski MP | Polish | £8,244.03 |
| Greg Clark, MP | German | €1,131.73 |
| Nia Griffith MP | Polish | £3,822.84 |
| Rosena Allin-Khan MP | Polish | £234.01 |
| MP for Royston Smith | Arab | £2,792.13 |
| Sara Britcliffe, MP | Spanish | £75.00 |
| Stuart Anderson MP | Punjabi | £4,058.88 |
| MP Thangam Debbonaire | Arab | £3,411.17 |
| MP Tony Lloyd | Spanish | £1,302.03 |
| Stephen Crabb | French | £2,329.00 |
| Andre Percy | French | £2,123.50 |
| Helen Grant | French | £352.00 |
Total: £33,931.13
In response to WalesOnline’s question about the funding request, MP Nia Griffith said: “I decided to make the effort to learn Polish because I was meeting Polish residents in Llanelli who needed help , but who had difficulty with English.
“I was able to use the Polish I learned to help Polish voters in many different areas, including applying for permanent status and dealing with employment issues, as well as disseminating information about things such as Covid vaccinations.
“Although before becoming an MP I taught French for many years, so I was able to study Polish at home, it is a very different and difficult language, and so the lessons were very useful for me. make sure I can pronounce things correctly and use the right words to explain some complicated issues.”
WalesOnline has approached MP Stephen Crabb for a comment.
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