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Scottish Languages Bill

The Bill gives the Gaelic and Scots languages official status in Scotland and makes changes to the support for the Gaelic and Scots languages in Scotland. This includes changes in relation to Gaelic and Scots education.

Tha am Bile a' toirt inbhe oifigeil do Ghàidhlig agus Scots ann an Alba agus a' dèanamh atharrachaidhean air an taic a chuirear ris a' Ghàidhlig agus Scots ann an Alba. Tha seo a' gabhail a-steach atharrachaidhean mu fhoghlam Gàidhlig agus Scots.

The Bill gies the Gaelic and Scots leids official staunin in Scotland and maks chynges tae the uphaudin o the Gaelic and Scots leids in Scotland. This includes chynges in relation tae Gaelic and Scots education.

This is a Government bill

The Bill was introduced on 29 November 2023 and is at Stage 2

Introduced: the Bill and its documents

Overview

Gaelic

The Bill requires Scottish Ministers to produce a Gaelic language strategy. This will replace the national Gaelic language plan currently produced by Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Other measures in the Bill to support the use of Gaelic include:

  • giving Scottish Ministers the power to set standards and give guidance for public authorities on promoting the use of Gaelic
  • requiring Bòrd na Gàidhlig to report on progress in relation to the Gaelic language strategy
  • requiring Bòrd na Gàidhlig to report on whether public authorities are complying with their duties to promote the use of Gaelic 
  • giving local authorities the power to make an area an “area of linguistic significance”. An area could be given this status if:
    • at least 20% of the area’s population has Gaelic language skills
    • the area has a historical connection with the use of Gaelic
    • the area provides Gaelic education or hosts other significant Gaelic activity.

The Bill also makes changes to Gaelic language education. This includes:

  • requiring Scottish Ministers to promote Gaelic education
  • giving Scottish Ministers the power to set standards and give guidance on Gaelic education
  • making clear that a local authority’s duty to provide education includes Gaelic education.

Scots

Measures in the Bill to support the use of the Scots language include:

  • requiring Scottish Ministers to produce a Scots language strategy and to report on progress in relation to that strategy
  • giving Scottish Ministers to the power to give guidance to public authorities on promoting the use of Scots
  • requiring Scottish Ministers to promote Scots language education in schools
  • giving Scottish Ministers the power to set standards and give guidance on Scots language education in schools.

Why the Bill was created

The Scottish Government has introduced the Bill to improve support for Scotland's indigenous languages, Gaelic and Scots.


Geàrr-chunntas

Gàidhlig

Tha am Bile a’ cur dleastanas air Ministearan na h-Alba ro-innleachd a chur ri chèile airson na Gàidhlig. Thig seo an àite a’ phlana nàiseanta airson na Gàidhlig a bhios Bòrd na Gàidhlig ag ullachadh.

Am measg nan ceumannan eile sa Bhile gus taic a chur ri cleachdadh na Gàidhlig tha:

  • a’ toirt a’ chumhachd do Mhinistearan na h-Alba inbhean a stèidheachadh agus stiùireadh a thoirt seachad airson ùghdarrasan poblach a thaobh mar a bhrosnaicheas iad cleachdadh na Gàidhlig
  • a’ cur dleastanas air Bòrd na Gàidhlig aithisg a dhèanamh mu adhartas le ro-innleachd na Gàidhlig
  • a’ cur dleastanas air Bòrd na Gàidhlig aithisg a dhèanamh a thaobh a bheil ùghdarrasan poblach a’ coileanadh nan dleastanasan a th’ orra gus taic a chur ri cleachdadh na Gàidhlig
  • a’ toirt a’ chumhachd do dh’ùghdarrasan poblach sgìre a dhèanamh na “sgìre Ghàidhlig shònraichte”. Dh’fhaodte an inbhe seo a thoirt do sgìre mas e ’s gu bheil:
    • comasan Gàidhlig aig co-dhiù 20% de shluagh na sgìre
    • ceangal eachdraidheil aig an sgìre ri cleachdadh na Gàidhlig
    • an sgìre a’ toirt seachad foghlam Gàidhlig no gu bheil gnìomhan brìoghmhor eile co-cheangailte ris a' Ghàidhlig a’ dol air adhart san sgìre.

Tha am Bile cuideachd a’ dèanamh atharrachaidhean air foghlam Gàidhlig. Tha seo a’ gabhail a-steach:

  • a’ cur dleastanas air Ministearan na h-Alba foghlam Gàidhlig a chur air adhart
  • a’ toirt a’ chumhachd do Mhinistearan na h-Alba inbhean a stèidheachadh agus stiùireadh a thoirt seachad mu fhoghlam Gàidhlig
  • a’ dèanamh soilleir gu bheil an dleastanas a tha air ùghdarras poblach foghlam a thoirt seachad a’ gabhail a-steach foghlam Gàidhlig.

Scots

Am measg nan ceumannan eile sa Bhile gus taic a chur ri cleachdadh na Scots tha:

  • a’ cur dleastanas air Ministearan na h-Alba ro-innleachd Scots a chur ri chèile agus aithisg a dhèanamh mu adhartas leis an ro-innleachd sin
  • a’ toirt a’ chumhachd do Mhinistearan na h-Alba stiùireadh a thoirt seachad do dh’ùghdarrasan poblach air a bhith a’ cur air adhart cleachdadh na Scots
  • a’ cur dleastanas air Ministearan na h-Alba foghlam Scots a chur air adhart anns na sgoiltean
  • a’ toirt a’ chumhachd do Mhinistearan na h-Alba inbhean a stèidheachadh agus treòrachadh a thoirt seachad air foghlam Scots anns na sgoiltean. 

Carson a chaidh am Bile a chruthachadh

Tha Riaghaltas na h-Alba air am Bile a thoirt a-steach gus leasachadh a thoirt air an taic a thathar a’ cur ri cànanan dùthchasach na h-Alba, Gàidhlig agus Scots.


Owerview

Gaelic

The Bill requires Scottish Ministers tae pit thegither a Gaelic leid straitegy. This will tak the place o the national Gaelic leid plan producit by Bòrd na Gàidhlig the noo.

Ither measures in the Bill fur tae forder the yaise o Gaelic include:

  • gien Scottish Ministers the pooer tae set staunarts and gie guidance fur public authorities on forderin the yaise o Gaelic
  • requirin Bòrd na Gàidhlig tae report on progress in relation tae the Gaelic leid straitegy
  • requirin Bòrd na Gàidhlig tae report on whither public authorities are complyin wi their duties tae forder the yaise o Gaelic
  • gien local authorities the pooer tae mak an area an “area o muckle linguistic mense”. An area could be gied this status gin:
    • at least 20% o the area’s population has Gaelic leid skills
    • the area has a historical connection wi the yaise o Gaelic
    • the area provides Gaelic education or is hame tae ither mensefou Gaelic ongauns

The Bill maks chynges tae Gaelic leid education forby. This includes:

  • requirin Scottish Ministers tae forder Gaelic education
  • gien Scottish Ministers the pooer tae set staunarts and gie guidance on Gaelic education
  • makkin clear that a local authority’s duty tae provide education includes Gaelic education.

Scots

Measures in the Bill fur tae forder the yaise o the Scots leid include:

  • requirin Scottish Ministers tae pit thegither a Scots leid straitegy and tae report on progress in relation tae thon straitegy
  • gien Scottish Ministers the pooer tae gie guidance tae public authorities on forderin the yaise o Scots
  • requirin Scottish Ministers tae forder Scots leid education in schuils
  • gien Scottish Ministers the pooer tae set staunarts and gie guidance on Scots leid education in schuils.

Bill as Introduced

Scottish Languages Bill as introduced (2MB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023

Accompanying Documents

Explanatory Notes (178KB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023

Policy Memorandum (514KB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023

Financial Memorandum (342KB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023

Delegated Powers Memorandum (186KB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023

Statements on legislative competence (155KB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023

Accompanying Documents (print versions)

Explanatory Notes (251KB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023

Policy Memorandum (479KB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023

Financial Memorandum (566KB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023

Delegated Powers Memorandum (278KB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023

Statements on legislative competence (210KB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023

Financial Resolution

The Presiding Officer has decided under Rule 9.12 of Standing Orders that a financial resolution is not required for this Bill.

Additional information from the Scottish Government at introduction

Keeling schedules

Keeling schedule - Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 (1MB, pdf) posted 12 December 2023

Keeling schedule - Part 2 of the Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (720KB, pdf) posted 12 December 2023

Illustration of proposed changes made to previous Acts by the Bill as introduced.

Translated information from the Scottish Government

Gaelic translated information

Keeling schedule - Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 (729KB, pdf) posted 22 January 2024

Keeling schedule - Part 2 of the Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (524KB, pdf) posted 22 January 2024

Scottish Languages Bill policy memorandum (305KB, pdf) posted 06 February 2024

Scots translated information

Scottish Languages Bill - Part 2 (295KB, pdf) posted 22 January 2024

Scottish Languages Bill policy memorandum (266KB, pdf) posted 06 February 2024

Research on the Bill

The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSPs in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.

Scottish Languages Bill - research briefing (EN)

Bile nan Canan Albannach - Pàipear-ullachaidh (GA)

Scottish Leids Bill - Pàipear-ullachaidh (SC)

The Bill was introduced on 29 November 2023

Stage 1: general principles

At Stage 1, the Bill is given to a lead committee. This is usually the committee whose remit most closely relates to the subject of the Bill. The lead committee will consider and report on the Bill. Other committees may also examine the Bill and report to the lead committee. Finally, there is a debate and vote by all MSPs on the general principles of the Bill. If the general principles are not agreed to, then the Bill ‘falls’ and can’t become law.

Timetable for Stage 1

On 20 March 2024, Parliament agreed motion S6M-12567, that consideration of the Scottish Languages Bill at Stage 1 be completed by 20 September 2024.

Lead committee examines the Bill

The lead committee for this Bill is the Education, Children and Young People Committee.

Call for views (closed)

Submit your views in English

The Education, Children and Young People Committee ran a call for views between 22 January and 8 March 2024.

Read a summary of responses to the short survey

Read the responses to the detailed call for views

Cuir a-steach do bheachdan sa Ghàidhlig

Chùm Comataidh Foghlam, Clann agus Òigridh co-chomhairle air gairm bheachdan eadar 22 Faoilleach agus 8 Màrt 2024.

Leugh geàrr-chunntas de na freagairtean air an t-suirbhidh ghoirid

Leugh freagairtean dhan ghairm bheachdan mionaideach

Submit yer views in Scots

The Education, Bairns and Young Fowk Committee ran a caw fur views atween 22 Januar and 8 Mairch 2024.

Read the summary o responses tae the short survey

Read the responses tae the detailed caw fur views

British Sign Language

The Committee ran a call for views between 22 January and 8 March 2024.

Read responses to the British Sign Language (BSL) version of the call for views

Meetings

Correspondence: lead committee

Response to ECYP Committee on staffing and resources - follow up to evidence session on 1 May 2024

Correspondence from Claire Cullen, Head of Gaelic and Scots, Scottish Government, 14 May 2024

Scottish Languages Bill 12 December 2023

Letter from the Minister for Parliamentary Business, 12 December 2023

Stage 1 report by the lead committee

Work by other committees

Finance and Public Administration Committee

Finance and Public Administration Committee Correspondence

Scottish Languages Bill Financial Memorandum - Letter of 5 June 2024

Letter from the Convener to the Convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee of 5 June 2024

Scottish Languages Bill Financial Memorandum - Letter of 17 May 2024

Letter from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic to the Convener of 17 May 2024

Scottish Languages Bill Financial Memorandum - Letter of 13 May 2024

Letter from the Convener to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills of 13 May 2024


Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee

Meetings

Report

The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee published its report on 23 April 2024.

Read the report

Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee Correspondence

Scottish Languages Bill response from the Scottish Government

Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills to the Convener, 19 March 2024

Scottish Languages Bill

Letter from the Convener to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, 12 March 2024


Stage 1 Debate and decision

A Stage 1 debate took place on 17 September 2024 to consider and decide on the general principles of the Bill.

  • Motion title: Scottish Languages Bill
  • Text of motion: That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Scottish Languages Bill.
  • Submitted by: Kate Forbes
  • Date lodged: Monday, 16 September 2024
  • Motion reference: S6M-14484
  • Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, 17 September 2024

See further details of the motion


Parliament agreed the general principles of the Bill

The Bill ended Stage 1 on 17 September 2024

Stage 2: changes to the Bill

At Stage 2, MSPs can propose changes to a Bill. These are called 'amendments'. Any MSP can suggest amendments but only members of the Stage 2 committee can decide on them. 

Daily list of amendments

MSPs can currently submit amendments ("changes") to the Bill.  A daily list of amendments will be published each day that amendments are lodged or withdrawn by MSPs. Following the deadline for amendments, the Marshalled List and Groupings of Amendments will be published to replace the daily lists.

The deadline for amendments will be added once the Stage 2 meeting date has been confirmed.

Stage 2 Correspondence

Scottish Languages Bill

Letter from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, 24 October 2024

Bill as amended at Stage 2

The Bill as amended will be published following Stage 2 proceedings.