Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Act 2025

A Welsh Government Bill, introduced by Jeremy Miles MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language. The Business Committee has remitted the Bill to the Children, Young People and Education Committee.

 

On 17th September 2024, the First Minister wrote (PDF 107KB) to the Llywdd informing the Committee that under SO 24.4(ii) Mark Drakeford MS, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language was now the Member in Charge of the Bill.

 

 

 

About the Bill

 

The Bill included provision for:

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>>>provide a statutory basis to the target of one million Welsh speakers by 2050, as well as other targets relating to the use of the language;

>>>place a duty on the Welsh Ministers to review Welsh language standards;

>>>establish a standard method for describing Welsh language ability, and place a duty on the Welsh Ministers to draw up a Code that will establish a standard method for describing the characteristics of Welsh language users based on the common reference levels of the European Common Reference Framework for Languages;

>>>create statutory language categories for schools, together with Welsh language learning goals that are attached to the categories, and a specific minimum amount of Welsh language education required by Primarily English Language, partly Welsh schools;

>>>create a chain of accountability between linguistic planning carried out at school level, at local authority level, and at national level;

>>>establish a statutory body, the National Welsh Language Learning Institute (‘yr Athrofa Dysgu Cymraeg Genedlaethol’).

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BillStageAct

 

An explanation of the various stages of Senedd Bills is available in the Guide to the Stages of Public Bills and Acts.

 

Record of Passage in the Welsh Parliament

The following table sets out the dates for each stage of the Bill’s passage through the Senedd.

 

¬¬¬Publication of Act

The Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Act 2025 has been published and can be assessed through the Welsh Government’s Law Wales website.

 

The relevant Law Wales web page will also provide updated information on the Act, including any revised Explanatory Memorandum prepared by the Welsh Government following Royal Assent, together with details of any subordinate legislation made under the Act.

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¬¬¬Date of Royal Assent (7 July 2025)

Royal Assent (PDF 158KB) was given on 7 July 2025.

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¬¬¬Post Stage 4 (10 June 2025)

 

The Counsel General and Minster for Delivery wrote (PDF 223KB) to the Llywydd to advise that they would not be referring the Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Bill to the Supreme Court under Sections 112 and 114 of the Government of Wales Act 2006.

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¬¬¬Stage 4 (13 May 2025)

Stage 4 proceedings took take place in plenary on 13 May 2025

 

Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Bill, as passed (PDF 372KB)

 

Llywydd’s statement in accordance with section 111A(3) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (PDF 154KB)

 

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¬¬¬Stage 3 (20 February 2025 – 6 May 2025)

Following the completion of Stage 2 proceedings, Stage 3 commenced on 20 February 2025.

 

The Senedd agreed on 29 Aprill 2025 under Standing Order 26.36, that the order for consideration for Stage 3 proceedings would be: Sections 1 – 5; Schedule 1; Sections 6 – 38; Schedule 2; Sections 39 – 57; Long title.

 

Stage 3 proceedings on the Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Bill took place on Tuesday 6 May 2025

 

Notice of Amendments (PDF 119KB) – 22 April 2025

Notice of Amendments (v2) (PDF 824KB) – 22 April 2025

Notice of Amendments (v2) (PDF 132KB) – 23 April 2025

Notice of Amendments (v3) (PDF 131KB) – 23 April 2025

Welsh Government: Purpose and effect table (PDF 63.1KB) – 23 April 2025

Welsh Government: Purpose and effect table (PDF 63.7KB) – 24 April 2025

Notice of Amendments (PDF 137KB) – 24 April 2025

Welsh Government: Purpose and effect table (PDF 463.9KB) – 24 April 2025

Notice of Amendments (PDF 83.5KB) – 28 April 2025

Marshalled List of Amendments (PDF 243KB) – 29 April 2025

Grouping of Amendments (PDF 97.1KB) – 30 April 2025

 

A revised Explanatory Memorandum was laid on 28 April 2025

 

Revised Statement of Policy Intent (PDF 406KB) - 28 April 2025

 

Bill as amended at Stage 3 (PDF 373KB)– 8 May 2025 (Amendments to the Bill since the previous version are indicated by sidelining in the right margin.)

Printing Changes to the Bill as amended at Stage 3 (PDF 109KB)

 

 

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¬¬¬Stage 2 (15 January 2025 – 19 February 2025)

Stage 2 consideration took place in Committee on 13th and 19th February 2025.

 

The Children, Young People and Education Committee agreed on 9 January 2025, under Standing Order 26.21, that the order of consideration for Stage 2 proceedings would be:

 

Sections 1-5; Schedule 1; Sections 6-36; Schedule 2; Sections 37-55 and Long Title.

 

Notice of amendments (v3) (PDF 170KB) – 15 January 2025

Welsh Government: Purpose and effect table (PDF 421KB)  – 16 January 2025

Notice of amendments (v2) (PDF 112KB) – 3 February 2025

Welsh Government: Purpose and effect table (PDF 200KB) – 4 February 2025

Notice of amendments (v3) (PDF 202KB) – 5 February 2025

Marshalled List of Amendments (PDF 330KB) – 7 February 2025

Grouping of Amendments (v2) (PDF 99KB) – 10 February 2025

 

As amended at Stage 2 (PDF 474KB) (Amendments to the Bill since the previous version are indicated by sidelining in the right margin.)

Printing Changes to the Bill as amended at Stage 2 (PDF 110KB)

 

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¬¬¬Financial Resolution

In accordance with Standing Order 26.68 the Presiding Officer indicated that a financial resolution was required for this Bill.  Further information about financial resolutions is available in section 3 of the Guide to the scrutiny stages for Public Bills.

 

A Financial Resolution was agreed in Plenary on 14 January 2025.

 

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¬¬¬Stage 1 (15 July 2024 – 15 January 2025)

The Children, Young People and Education Committee considered its approach to Stage 1 consideration on 17 July 2024.

 

Report

The Children, Young People and Education Committee laid (PDF 2.7MB) its report on 13 December 2024. There was a debate on the general principles in plenary on Tuesday 14 January.

The Committee received a response (PDF 219KB) from the Welsh Government on 13 January 2025.

 

Consultation

The consultation closed on 11 October 2024; all responses are available.

 

Engagement

 

During the 2024 National Eisteddfod in Pontypridd, the Children, Young People and Education Committee took the opportunity to seek the views of children, young people and adults on the Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Bill. The Committee held a drop in session where members of the public could talk directly to the Committee Chair and Clerk. This was also accompanied by a graffiti wall where people could share their views. A summary note from this engagement has been published (PDF 161KB).

 

A survey was conducted to gather the views of children and young people who attend English-medium schools in Wales on learning Welsh at schools. An analysis of the survey findings is available (PDF 157KB).

 

 

Oral Evidence Schedule (PDF 58KB)

 

Bill Summary (PDF 609KB)

 

Glossary (PDF 117KB)

 

Committee dates

The Children, Young People and Education Committee considered the Bill on the following dates:

Date and Agenda	Purpose of meeting	Transcript	Senedd.TV
17 July 2024	Consideration of Approach to Stage 1 Scrutiny (Private)
19 September 2024	Oral evidence session	Transcript	View meeting
26 September 2024	Oral evidence Sessions	Transcript	View meeting
2 October 2024	Oral evidence Sessions	Transcript	View meeting
9 October 2024	Oral evidence Sessions	Transcript	View meeting
17 October 2024	Oral evidence Sessions	Transcript	View meeting
24 October 2024	Oral evidence Sessions	Transcript	View meeting
28 November 2024	Private discussion
4 December 2024	Private discussion

 

The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee considered the Bill on the following dates:

 

Date and Agenda	Purpose of meeting	Transcript	Senedd.TV
21 October 2024	Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language	Transcript	View meeting

                  

The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its report on 11 December 2024. The Welsh Government responded to the report on 13 January 2025.

The Finance Committee considered the Bill on the following dates:

 

Date and Agenda	Purpose of meeting	Transcript	Senedd.TV
23 October 2024	Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language	Transcript	View meeting

The Finance Committee laid its report on 13 December 2024. The Welsh Government responded to the report on 13 January 2025.
                            

Correspondence
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>>>Letter to the Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language – 15 November 2024 (PDF 368KB)

>>> Letter to the Chair of Finance Committee from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language – 12 November 2024 (PDF 225KB)

>>> Letter to the Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language – 16 October 2024 (PDF 181KB)

>>>Letter to the Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language – 11 October 2024 (PDF 357KB)

>>>Letter from the Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language -10 October 2024 (PDF 80KB)

>>>Letter from the Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language - 20 September 2024 (PDF 182KB)

>>>Letter to the Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee from the Llywydd – 17 September 2024 (PDF 111KB) 

>>>Letter to the Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee from the Chair of the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee – 13 September 2024 (PDF 100KB)

>>>Letter from the Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee to the Chair of the Culture, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations - 05 August 2024 (PDF 122KB)

 

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¬¬¬Bill introduced (15 July 2024)

Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Bill, as introduced (PDF 447KB)

 

Explanatory Memorandum (PDF 1.85MB)

 

Statement of Policy Intent (PDF 428KB)

 

Presiding Officer’s Statement 15 July 2024 (PDF 216KB)

 

Business Committee’s Report on the timetable for consideration of the Bill (PDF 27KB)

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Contact information

Clerk: Naomi Stocks

Phone:0300 200 6565

 

e-mail: seneddchildren@senedd.wales