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.
The Bill is at Stage 1
Contents
Introduced
The Scottish Government introduces the Bill and accompanying documents to the Parliament which publishes the Bill.
The Bill was introduced on 29 November 2023
Bill as introduced
Scottish Languages Bill (2MB, 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.
Related information from the Scottish Government on the Bill
Explanatory Notes
Scottish Languages Bill explanatory notes (178KB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023
Scottish Languages Bill explanatory notes (print version) (251KB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023
Explanation of the Bill
Policy Memorandum
Scottish Languages Bill policy memorandum (514KB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023
Scottish Languages Bill policy memorandum (print version) (479KB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023
Why the Bill is being introduced
Translated versions of the Policy Memorandum are available at the bottom of this page.
Financial Memorandum
Scottish Languages Bill financial memorandum (342KB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023
Scottish Languages Bill financial memorandum (print version) (566KB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023
How much the Bill is likely to cost
Delegated Powers Memorandum
Scottish Languages Bill delegated powers memorandum (186KB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023
Scottish Languages Bill delegated powers memorandum (print version) (278KB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023
Information on the powers the Bill gives the Scottish Ministers and others to make “secondary legislation” (usually regulations) and to the Scottish Ministers (such as to make guidance).
Statements on Legislative Competence
Scottish Languages Bill legislative competence (155KB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023
Scottish Languages Bill legislative competence (print version) (210KB, pdf) posted 29 November 2023
Statements on whether the Bill is within the Parliament’s “legislative competence” (if the Parliament has the power to make the changes to the law proposed by the 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
Scottish Parliament research on the Bill
Read the research done by the Scottish Parliament on specific parts of the Bill:
Scottish Languages Bill - research briefing (EN)
Bile nan Canan Albannach - Pàipear-ullachaidh (GA)
Scottish Leids Bill - Pàipear-ullachaidh (SC)