New Welsh language law could carry £5,000 penalty

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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MOBILE phones, energy and water companies in Wales could face a penalty of up to £5,000 in future for failing to supply proper services in Welsh.

Proposed new laws published yesterday will establish for the first time legally enforceable standards of services through the Welsh language.

A new Welsh language commissioner will be appointed to police the new standards, with the powers to investigate complaints.

This includes grievances from Welsh speakers who believe their freedom to use Welsh with one another has been prevented.

The proposed measure by the Assembly Government would also confirm the official status of the language in Wales.

All public sector services, like the Assembly, councils, NHS, police, and universities will be covered by the legislation.

So too will private sector companies in energy or water businesses, post office and Royal Mail, bus and rail transport, telecommunications, education and training.

Anyone providing a public service receiving £400,000 of taxpayers’ money a year could be made to comply.

The new commissioner will draw up the standards on the use of Welsh and these could vary where Welsh is less prevalent in parts of Wales.

Failing to meet the standards could be punishable by fines, or action for contempt of court.

A special tribunal will hear any appeals against the imposition of standards.

The measure follows a two-year wrangle between the Assembly Government and Westminster over acquiring law-making powers to fulfil key pledges of the One Wales coalition deal between Labour and Plaid Cymru.

The independent commissioner is expected to be appointed early next year.

The move will abolish the existing Welsh Language Board.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “This proposed measure will answer the call for Welsh speakers to have the right to receive services in Welsh.”

Menna Machreth, chair of the language pressure group Cymdeithas yr Iaith said: “The government promised rights for everyone to access services in Welsh, but they are not contained in this first draft of the measure.

“Welsh is in real danger as a living language – people must understand that. By the end of this decade, Welsh language communities could be extinct – that’s the harsh reality.”

Conservative heritage spokesman Paul Davies said: “We are determined to ensure this new legislation does not erect barriers to businesses in Wales which would damage competitiveness.

“Nor must it discriminate against English speakers.”

[Lounge Lizard]

So are Kellogs going to start printing their Corn Flake boxes in Welsh, and Cadburys theur chocolate wrappers ?

[Darren Bent]

I wonder if there is any welsh speakers who can't read or speak English.

[NWpostie]

I am 100% English but can speak a bit of Welsh due living in Wales for some years, this Law is stupid, If I was a business, I would sell elsewhere if operating in Wales is put in the "too difficult" tray, utility companies and businesses may well withdraw, causing an economic impact in Wales, Jobs are few enough as it is, just look at Quebec when they introduced French Language Law 101, many Businesses and skilled (English) people left and moved to Ontario, this caused some economic problems for Quebec until the Canadian government provided Federal funding, the Welsh assembly will expect the UK to bail them out with Job creation programs, to that I will say Cachau Bant !*






(fcuk off)*

[NWpostie]

I wonder if there is any welsh speakers who can't read or speak English.

none at a guess, every Welsh person can speak English, some in West Wales can be really rude enough to switch to Welsh if an English speaker come in, that Welsh fascism for you.

[Pinky 1]

[Spartacus]

Made Royal mail do an attendance procedure interview in Welsh once for one of our Welsh speakers.

Won as well, shows how far back I'm going.