Scottish Languages Bill: business and regulatory impact assessment

Sectors and Groups Affected

The proposed measures will affect the following sectors and bodies:

• Bòrd na Gàidhlig;
• Local Authorities;
• Other public bodies which have Gaelic language plans or otherwise make provision for Gaelic or Scots;
• Private and community organisations and initiatives on behalf of Gaelic in receipt of funding from the Scottish Government or Bòrd na Gàidhlig

The Bill modifies the role of Bòrd na Gàidhlig. The Bòrd currently develops the National Gaelic Language Plan as well as statutory guidance for both individual public body Gaelic Language Plans and Gaelic education. It is charged with monitoring and enforcing the implementation of individual Gaelic Language Plans. Through the Bill the duty to produce a National Gaelic Language Plan will be replaced by the duty upon Scottish Ministers to produce a Gaelic Language Strategy as well as standards and regulations. It will also fall upon Scottish Ministers to produce statutory guidance for Gaelic Language Plans and Gaelic education. Bòrd na Gàidhlig's role will become that of a monitoring body.

To address gaps in the provision of Gaelic education, local authorities will have to develop delivery plans outlining the extent of their provision. This will work towards ensuring that primary GME is supplemented by Gaelic medium early learning and childcare and Gaelic medium secondary schooling.

Through the measures for areas of linguistic significance, local authorities are able to designate specific areas within their districts which have a strong connection to Gaelic. Such a designation will allow for greater provision for Gaelic within an area of linguistic significance and ensure that this provision caters to the local circumstances of the language. The standards set by Scottish Ministers may be different for those areas. In their Gaelic language plans, relevant public authorities will have to include measures they will take to allow for a proportionate approach. The task of designation will be one that will incur a cost to local authorities.

There is unlikely to be any immediate significant impact on any sector or groups as a result of these regulation making powers. However there are likely to be impacts in future when Scottish Ministers lay regulations. The impact of any such changes will be quantified as part of the regulation making progress and assessed as required.