WIREDGOV

First Minister Carwyn Jones has recently launched a four week consultation on the draft regulations that will make up the first set of Welsh Language Standards.

The first set of standards will be laid before the Assembly in March 2015 and will cover County Borough Councils and County Councils, National Park Authorities and Welsh Ministers.

The standards aim to:

• Improve the services Welsh-speakers can expect to receive from organisations in Welsh
• Increase the use people make of Welsh-language services
• Make it clear to organisations what they need to do in terms of the Welsh language
• Ensure that there is an appropriate degree of consistency in terms of the duties placed on bodies in the same sectors.

Launching the consultation, First Minister said:  

“The introduction of the Standards will be an important milestone.  Not only will they create clear legal rights but they will also improve services and provide more opportunities for people to receive and use Welsh language services across Wales.

“In drafting the regulations we have listened to the views of members of the public, to the organisations that will be subject to them and the Welsh Language Commissioner.  This four week consultation is a further opportunity for everyone with an interest in the standards to have their say before they are laid before the Assembly next March.  I hope people across Wales get involved and share their views with us.”

The consultation on the draft regulations closes on 5 December 2014.

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