LegalizeReform history
Scottish Languages Act 2025
3 versions
· 2025-07-31
2025-11-30
Scottish Languages Act 2025
2025-08-01
Scottish Languages Act 2025
Changes on 2025-08-01
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@
- (1) The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 is modified as follows.
- (2) After section 2B (as inserted by [section 5](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/5/enacted)[(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/5/3/enacted)) insert—
- (2) After section 2B (as inserted by [section 5](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/5/2025-08-01)[(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/5/3/2025-08-01)) insert—
> (2C)
> (1) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations specify standards and requirements relating to promoting, facilitating and supporting the use of the Gaelic language which are to apply to relevant public authorities in exercising their functions.
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@
- (1) The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 is modified as follows.
- (2) After section 2C (as inserted by [section 6](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/6/enacted)[(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/6/2/enacted)) insert—
- (2) After section 2C (as inserted by [section 6](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/6/2025-08-01)[(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/6/2/2025-08-01)) insert—
> (2D) In exercising its functions, a relevant public authority must have regard to—
> (a) promoting, facilitating and supporting the use of the Gaelic language,
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@
- (1) The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 is modified as follows.
- (2) After section 2F (as inserted by [section 7](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/7/enacted)[(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/7/2/enacted)) insert—
- (2) After section 2F (as inserted by [section 7](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/7/2025-08-01)[(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/7/2/2025-08-01)) insert—
> (2G)
> (1) The Bòrd must, as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each reporting period, prepare and publish a report setting out progress made in the reporting period in respect of the objectives and targets included in the national Gaelic language strategy published under section 2A.
@@ -607,16 +607,16 @@
##### 16
- (1) The Education (Scotland) Act 2016 is modified in accordance with subsections [(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/16/2/enacted) and [(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/16/3/enacted).
- (2) After section 6A (as inserted by [section 15](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/15/enacted)[(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/15/3/enacted)) insert—
- (1) The Education (Scotland) Act 2016 is modified in accordance with subsections [(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/16/2/2025-08-01) and [(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/16/3/2025-08-01).
- (2) After section 6A (as inserted by [section 15](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/15/2025-08-01)[(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/15/3/2025-08-01)) insert—
> (6B)
> (1) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations specify the standards and requirements to which an education authority must conform in discharging its functions—
> (a) relating to Gaelic learner education and Gaelic medium education in its provision of school education, and
> (b) relating to the teaching of the Gaelic language in its provision of further education.
> (2) Regulations under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/42/1/enacted) may make different provision for different purposes and different areas (including different parts of the area of an education authority).
> (3) In preparing regulations under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/42/1/enacted), the Scottish Ministers must consult—
> (2) Regulations under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/42/1/2025-08-01) may make different provision for different purposes and different areas (including different parts of the area of an education authority).
> (3) In preparing regulations under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/42/1/2025-08-01), the Scottish Ministers must consult—
> (a) Bòrd na Gàidhlig,
> (b) education authorities,
> (c) the body known as Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta),
@@ -637,11 +637,11 @@
- (4) The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 is modified in accordance with subsection (5).
- (5) In [section 7A](#p01608) (as inserted by [section 9](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/9/enacted)[(6)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/9/6/enacted)), after subsection (2) insert—
> (3) Where the authority required to prepare a Gaelic language plan under this Act is an education authority, the Scottish Ministers may give a direction to that authority relating to the application of the standards and requirements specified in regulations made under [section 6B](#p01871) of the Education (Scotland) Act 2016 to the preparation of the plan.
> (4) The Scottish Ministers may vary or revoke a direction given under subsection (3).
> (5) An education authority must comply with a direction given to it under subsection (3).
- (5) In [section 7A](#p01608) (as inserted by [section 9](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/9/2025-08-01)[(6)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/9/6/2025-08-01)), after subsection (5) insert—
> (6) Where the authority required to prepare a Gaelic language plan under this Act is an education authority, the Scottish Ministers may give a direction to that authority relating to the application of the standards and requirements specified in regulations made under [section 6B](#p01871) of the Education (Scotland) Act 2016 to the preparation of the plan.
> (7) The Scottish Ministers may vary or revoke a direction given under subsection (6).
> (8) An education authority must comply with a direction given to it under subsection (6).
.
@@ -649,9 +649,9 @@
##### 17
- (1) The Education (Scotland) Act 2016 is modified in accordance with subsections [(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/17/2/enacted) to [(6)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/17/6/enacted).
- (2) After section 6B (as inserted by [section 16](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/16/enacted)[(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/16/2/enacted)) insert—
- (1) The Education (Scotland) Act 2016 is modified in accordance with subsections [(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/17/2/2025-08-01) to [(6)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/17/6/2025-08-01).
- (2) After section 6B (as inserted by [section 16](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/16/2025-08-01)[(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/16/2/2025-08-01)) insert—
> (6C)
> (1) The Scottish Ministers must give guidance to Scottish public authorities relating to—
@@ -676,9 +676,9 @@
- (6) Section 16 is repealed.
- (7) The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 is modified in accordance with [subsection (8)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/17/8/enacted).
- (8) [Section 9](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/9/enacted) and the italic heading immediately preceding it are repealed.
- (7) The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 is modified in accordance with [subsection (8)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/17/8/2025-08-01).
- (8) [Section 9](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/9/2025-08-01) and the italic heading immediately preceding it are repealed.
#### Production of school education resources in Gaelic
@@ -799,7 +799,7 @@
,
- (c) in subsection (8), after paragraph (a) (as inserted by [section 4](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/4/enacted)[(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/4/3/enacted)[(b)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/4/3/b/enacted)) insert—
- (c) in subsection (8), after paragraph (a) (as inserted by [section 4](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/4/2025-08-01)[(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/4/3/2025-08-01)[(b)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/4/3/b/2025-08-01)) insert—
> (b) make further provision about the matters which an education authority must include in its Gaelic language plan under subsection (4A),
> (c) make different provision for different—
@@ -1040,7 +1040,7 @@
> (1A) An education authority need not comply with the duty imposed by subsection (1) if—
> (a) it has published a report under section 13(4) following a previous request under section 7(1),
> (b) the relevant assessment area for the previous request is the same as the relevant assessment area for the further request,
> (c) the previous request and the further request either both request an assessment of the need for GMPE or both request an assessment of the need for GMELC, and
> (c) the previous request and the further request either both request an assessment ff the need for GMPE or both request an assessment of the need for GMELC, and
> (d) the further request is received within the period of 2 years beginning with the day on which the previous request was received.
> (1B) Despite subsection (1A), the Scottish Ministers may, in such cases as they consider appropriate, direct an education authority to comply with the duty imposed by subsection (1) in relation to the further request.
> (1C) The Scottish Ministers must consult the education authority before giving a direction under subsection (1B).
@@ -1380,9 +1380,9 @@
- (1) The Scots language has official status within Scotland.
- (2) [Subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/26/1/enacted) is given legal effect by the provisions in this Act conferring functions on the Scottish Ministers and other persons in relation to promoting, facilitating and supporting the use of the Scots language.
- (3) [Subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/26/1/enacted) does not affect—
- (2) [Subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/26/1/2025-08-01) is given legal effect by the provisions in this Act conferring functions on the Scottish Ministers and other persons in relation to promoting, facilitating and supporting the use of the Scots language.
- (3) [Subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/26/1/2025-08-01) does not affect—
- (a) the operation of any other enactment or rule of law,
@@ -1426,7 +1426,7 @@
- (b) lay a copy of the strategy before the Scottish Parliament.
- (7) Subsection [(6)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/34/6/enacted) must be complied with before the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day this section comes into force.
- (7) Subsection [(6)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/34/6/2025-08-01) must be complied with before the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day this section comes into force.
- (8) The Scottish Ministers—
@@ -1434,7 +1434,7 @@
- (b) may revise it as they consider appropriate.
- (9) Subsections [(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/34/2/enacted) to [(6)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/34/6/enacted) and [(8)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/34/8/enacted) apply in relation to any revised Scots language strategy as they apply in relation to the first Scots language strategy.
- (9) Subsections [(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/34/2/2025-08-01) to [(6)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/34/6/2025-08-01) and [(8)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/34/8/2025-08-01) apply in relation to any revised Scots language strategy as they apply in relation to the first Scots language strategy.
#### Reporting on Scots language strategy
@@ -1492,9 +1492,9 @@
- (b) developing and encouraging Scots culture.
- (2) In exercising its functions, a relevant public authority must have regard to any guidance given by the Scottish Ministers under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/30/1/enacted).
- (3) In preparing guidance under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/30/1/enacted), the Scottish Ministers must consult—
- (2) In exercising its functions, a relevant public authority must have regard to any guidance given by the Scottish Ministers under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/30/1/2025-08-01).
- (3) In preparing guidance under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/30/1/2025-08-01), the Scottish Ministers must consult—
- (a) persons with an interest in the promotion of—
@@ -1506,7 +1506,7 @@
- (c) such other persons as they consider appropriate.
- (4) The Scottish Ministers must publish any guidance given under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/30/1/enacted).
- (4) The Scottish Ministers must publish any guidance given under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/30/1/2025-08-01).
- (5) In this section “*Scots culture*” includes the traditions, ideas, customs, heritage and identity of those who speak or understand the Scots language.
@@ -1560,9 +1560,9 @@
- (1) The Scottish Ministers may give guidance to education authorities relating to Scots language education in schools.
- (2) In exercising its functions relating to school education, an education authority must have regard to any guidance given by the Scottish Ministers under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/30/1/enacted).
- (3) In preparing guidance under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/32/1/enacted), the Scottish Ministers must consult—
- (2) In exercising its functions relating to school education, an education authority must have regard to any guidance given by the Scottish Ministers under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/30/1/2025-08-01).
- (3) In preparing guidance under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/32/1/2025-08-01), the Scottish Ministers must consult—
- (a) persons with an interest in the promotion of the Scots language,
@@ -1570,7 +1570,7 @@
- (c) such other persons as they consider appropriate.
- (4) The Scottish Ministers must publish any guidance given under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/32/1/enacted).
- (4) The Scottish Ministers must publish any guidance given under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/32/1/2025-08-01).
#### Standards relating to Scots language education
@@ -1578,11 +1578,11 @@
- (1) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations specify the standards and requirements to which an education authority must conform in discharging its functions relating to Scots language education in the schools under its management.
- (2) Regulations under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/33/1/enacted) may make different provision for different purposes and different areas (including different parts of the area of an education authority).
- (3) Regulations under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/33/1/enacted) are subject to the negative procedure.
- (4) In preparing regulations under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/33/1/enacted), the Scottish Ministers must consult—
- (2) Regulations under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/33/1/2025-08-01) may make different provision for different purposes and different areas (including different parts of the area of an education authority).
- (3) Regulations under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/33/1/2025-08-01) are subject to the negative procedure.
- (4) In preparing regulations under [subsection (1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/33/1/2025-08-01), the Scottish Ministers must consult—
- (a) education authorities,
@@ -1654,7 +1654,7 @@
- (b) otherwise are subject to the negative procedure.
- (4) In this section and [section 48](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/48/enacted) the following expressions have the meanings given by section 135(1) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980—
- (4) In this section and [section 48](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/10/section/48/2025-08-01) the following expressions have the meanings given by section 135(1) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980—
- “*area,*” in relation to an education authority,
2025-07-31
Scottish Languages Act 2025
original version
Text at this date