Minister says protecting Gaelic needs ‘urgent action’ as Bill passes first phase

Plans to boost the Scots and Gaelic languages in areas of Scotland where they are traditionally used have been passed at the first phase in Holyrood.

On Tuesday, MSPs voted in favour of the general outlines of the Scottish Languages Bill, which, if passed, will allow parents to apply for Gaelic early learning and childcare.

The Bill, which has now passed stage one, will also help ensure that Gaelic medium primary pupils can continue their education in secondary school.

It is hoped this will encourage the increase of the language’s provision within Scotland’s school curriculum.

Other provisions included within the Bill are the adoption of both Scots and Gaelic as official languages in Scotland, and the establishment of areas of linguistic significance in Gaelic communities, allowing ministers to focus grant funding in areas where Gaelic is most fragile.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, who was appointed as Scotland’s first cabinet secretary for Gaelic in May, said: “The situation of Gaelic requires urgent action. The Scottish Languages Bill is a major opportunity to protect Scotland’s indigenous languages.

“While we have finally started to turn the tide on Gaelic’s 50-year decline, I recognise that we need to go further, faster if the language is to survive.

“That is why we are exploring ways to work collaboratively across Parliament to strengthen this legislation in its second stage and ensure that Gaelic and Scots continue to be spoken in their traditional areas while also sustaining the growth we see across the country.”