A central government decision to cut all funding for Cornish language development has drawn widespread criticism from across the county.

The Government has provided up to £150,000 a year to support the Cornish language, including paying for a range of educational activities, since it was recognised under the Charter for Regional and Minority Languages in 2003.

At the end of last year Cornwall Council was asked by the Government to submit a bid for funding for the current financial year, which was supported by MPs George Eustice and Sarah Newton, as well as Cornish members of the House of Lords, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP.

Cornwall Council has now received a formal letter from the Department of Communities and Local Government stating that it was not providing any further funding to support the development of the Cornish language – despite the recognition of the Cornish people as a national minority in April 2014.

Julian German, the council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Culture, said: “The Cornish language is a great source of pride for Cornwall and is part of what makes Cornwall and the Cornish unique. Over the last five years use of the language has increased and this is reflected in street names, signage and on mainstream and social media. Just as importantly, it supports our local and visitor economy as the increase in the use of the language in marketing and tourism has proved.

“The Government’s decision not to support Cornish with any funding whatsoever goes against the international agreements they have signed up to and that makes no sense at all. Cornwall has received funding from Government for a number of years and all we asked for was to continue at this level of funding.”

“The Prime Minister makes a point of telling us how much he loves Cornwall and the devolution deal highlights the Government’s recognition of our unique culture and heritage. However, when it comes to backing those statements up, the Government just doesn’t deliver for Cornwall.”

The decision has also angered Malcolm Bell, head of Visit Cornwall, who said: “The Cornish language is an essential part of the Cornwall brand.”

Loveday Jenkin, deputy leader of Mebyon Kernow, the party for Cornwall, said: “In 2002, the Cornish language was recognised through the Council of Europe’s Charter for Regional and Minority Languages and, in April 2014, central government also recognised the Cornish as a national minority through the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

“Through these treaties, central government gave a commitment to support Cornish identity, culture and language.

“It is therefore absolutely shameful that they have pulled the plug on vital funding for the language, reneging on their obligations, and showing their total disrespect for Cornwall’s national language.

“It is also extremely sad that local Conservative MPs, some of whom even took their parliamentary oaths in Cornish, have failed to fight for the language.”

She added: “I would appeal to all supporters of the language to lobby central government and local MPs by writing hundreds and hundreds of letters to them – all in Cornish.”

And a spokesperson from pressure group Kernow Matters to Us added; "It is well known that the Conservatives have little time for Cornwall other than to view it as a holiday resort and second homes venue with an extractive economy.

"This latest news is just confirmation of that and the widespread condemnation of the decision from all sectors of the community in Cornwall is evidence enough that a huge mistake has been made and that Cornwall continues to lose out under direct Westminster rule."

Councillor Jenkin has called on one and all to sign the petition supporting Cornish language funding on the Parliament website at: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/128474