Urgent support needed for Gaelic language – report

While MSPs backed the general principles of the legislation, the report said the committee “does not consider that, on its own, the bill will create the necessary conditions” to address the challenges facing the Gaelic and Scots languages.

Education committee convener Sue Webber said: “We have serious concerns about the future of Gaelic.

“While our committee has recommended that the Parliament backs the general principles of the bill, the Scottish government must do more to avoid it being purely symbolic.”

Ms Webber added: “We’re also concerned by the lack of clarity around what the obligations attached to this Bill mean for public bodies and local authorities regarding Gaelic and Scots.”

She added that the committee expected “clarity” on this and the other concerns raised as MSPs continued to scrutinise the legislation.

A Scottish government spokesman said: “The Scottish government is working to create a more secure future for Gaelic through a range of measures across broadcasting, education and the arts.

“The Scottish Languages Bill will make Gaelic an official language of Scotland and introduce standards for teaching Gaelic in schools, supported by almost £30m of Scottish government funding over the course of the current financial year.

“The government notes the committee’s recommendation and will continue to make progress with the strong support we provide for Gaelic and Scots.”