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 3
This Bill is at Stage 3 of the process to decide if it should become an Act.
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:
The Bill also makes changes to Gaelic language education. This includes:
Measures in the Bill to support the use of the Scots language include:
The Scottish Government has introduced the Bill to improve support for Scotland's indigenous languages, Gaelic and Scots.
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:
Tha am Bile cuideachd a’ dèanamh atharrachaidhean air foghlam Gàidhlig. Tha seo a’ gabhail a-steach:
Am measg nan ceumannan eile sa Bhile gus taic a chur ri cleachdadh na Scots tha:
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.
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:
The Bill maks chynges tae Gaelic leid education forby. This includes:
Measures in the Bill fur tae forder the yaise o the Scots leid include:
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
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
All Bills introduced in the Parliament must be accompanied by specific documents. For most Bills, this includes:
Explanatory Notes: this document provides an overview of what the Bill does, plus a more detailed explanation of individual provisions.
Policy Memorandum: this sets out the objectives of the Bill. It also lists any alternatives considered, details of consultations, and an assessment of the effects of the Bill on a range of areas.
Financial Memorandum: this sets out estimates of costs, savings, and any changes to revenues expected to result from the Bill.
Delegated Powers Memorandum: this is needed if a Bill gives powers to make subordinate legislation or allows Scottish Ministers to issue directions, guidance or codes of practice.
Statements on legislative competence: two short statements, one by the Presiding Officer and one by the Member introducing the Bill. “Legislative competence” means the powers the Parliament has to make law.
The Presiding Officer decided under Rule 9.12 of Standing Orders that, for the Bill as Introduced, a financial resolution was not required.
For each Bill, the Presiding Officer must decide if a 'Financial Resolution' is required. The main reasons a Bill would need a Financial Resolution are that:
If a Bill requires a Financial Resolution:
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.
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
Scottish Languages Bill - Part 2 (295KB, pdf) posted 22 January 2024
Scottish Languages Bill policy memorandum (266KB, pdf) posted 06 February 2024
A Keeling schedule is a schedule to a bill which reproduces the provisions of an earlier Act of Parliament and shows the effect of the bill on that Act. It is usually added as an appendix to the proposed amendment.
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)
The Bill was introduced on 29 November 2023
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.
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.
The lead committee for this Bill is the Education, Children and Young People Committee.
The lead committee will usually examine the Bill through evidence sessions. This will involve contributions from individuals and organisations, known as 'witnesses', with knowledge of the subject matter. The committee might also discuss the Bill in private sessions.
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
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
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
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
Correspondence from Claire Cullen, Head of Gaelic and Scots, Scottish Government, 14 May 2024
Letter from the Minister for Parliamentary Business, 12 December 2023
The lead committee published its Stage 1 report on 24 July 2024.
Scottish Languages Bill Stage 1 Report
Bile nan Cànan Albannach Aithisg Ìre 1
Scots Leids Bill - Stage 1 Report
The responses to the report (and translations) were published on 11 September 2024.
Scottish Government response to the Stage 1 report
If a Bill is relevant to more than one committee, 'secondary committees' may consider and report on the general principles of the Bill to the lead committee. Some Bills may also be considered by the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee or the Finance and Public Administration Committee.
Letter from the Convener to the Convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee of 5 June 2024
Letter from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic to the Convener of 17 May 2024
Letter from the Convener to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills of 13 May 2024
The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee published its report on 23 April 2024.
Read the report
Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills to the Convener, 19 March 2024
Letter from the Convener to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, 12 March 2024
A Stage 1 debate took place on 17 September 2024 to consider and decide on the general principles of the Bill.
See further details of the motion
The Bill ended Stage 1 on 17 September 2024
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.
On 13 November 2024, Parliament agreed motion S6M-15424, that consideration of the Scottish Languages Bill at Stage 2 be completed by 20 December 2024.
Ahead of Stage 2 proceedings, the Presiding Officer determined under Rule 9.12 of Standing Orders that, if certain Stage 2 amendments were to be agreed, a Financial Resolution would be required for the Bill.
Parliament agreed a Financial Resolution on 5 December 2024.
Read the minutes of the meeting (175KB, pdf) posted 05 December 2024
For each Bill, the Presiding Officer must decide if a 'Financial Resolution' is required. The main reasons a Bill would need a Financial Resolution are that:
If a Bill requires a Financial Resolution:
See further details of the motion
Letter from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, 24 October 2024
Documents with the amendments considered and debated at the meeting held on 11 December 2024.
Marshalled List of Amendments for Stage 2 (791KB, pdf) posted 06 December 2024
Groupings of Amendments for Stage 2 (954KB, pdf) posted 06 December 2024
A Stage 2 'Marshalled List' is a list of all the amendments that have been lodged at Stage 2 (or, if the Stage is mid-way through, all those still to be dealt with). They are listed in the order in which they will be called by the convener and then decided on.
A 'Groupings' list shows how the amendments that are listed in the Marshalled List have been grouped together for debate. Each group contains amendments that are related to each other, even if they are at different places in the Marshalled List.
The Bill ended Stage 2 on 11 December 2024
At Stage 3, MSPs can propose further amendments (changes) to the Bill. These are debated and decided on in the Debating Chamber. At this stage, all MSPs can vote on them. There is then a debate on whether to pass the Bill. If the Bill is not passed, it ‘falls’ and can't become law.
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 when the Stage 3 meeting date is agreed.
Once MSPs have decided on the amendments, they debate whether to pass the Bill.