Striking the right balance: have your say on the Welsh Language

20 Sep 2017 02:16 PM

The Welsh Government is hosting a series of public events to discuss proposals for a Welsh Language Bill.

The government’s White Paper, 'Striking the right balance: proposals for a Welsh Language Bill', outlines a range of proposals that aim to strike the right balance between promoting the Welsh language and regulating compliance with Welsh language duties.

Recommendations in the White Paper include:

Establishing a Welsh Language Commission to organise and coordinate work to promote the Welsh language across all parts of Wales.
Making it clearer to people, public bodies and businesses who they can turn to if they want to develop their use of the Welsh language.
Giving greater clarity for Welsh speakers as to which services bodies must provide in Welsh, and to work to increase the use of those services.
Helping bodies develop their capacity to deliver services in Welsh.
Streamlining the processes involved in making and imposing Welsh Language Standards, and removing the bureaucracy involved in handling complaints of bodies’ non-compliance with Standards to ensure people receive a quick remedy.
The Welsh Government to be responsible for imposing Standards on bodies through regulations and compliance notices. The Welsh Language Commission to be responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Standards.
Removing the restrictions in the current legislation so Standards could be placed on any body, so long is it is within the Assembly’s power to do so.

Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language Alun Davies said:

“We are very clear of our responsibility as a Government to ensure the legislative framework is appropriate to deliver on the ambition for the language. However, everyone has a part to play, and we want all those who have an interest in the language to contribute to this discussion.

“We know that language policy needs to be rooted in consensus and democratic strength. Together, by renewing our energy, adapting to an ever changing landscape, we can enable the Welsh language to grow – a living language for all that unites us as a nation.”