Kate Forbes

MSPs have voted for the general principles of the Scottish Languages Bill.

The bill would allow parents to apply for Gaelic early learning and childcare. Powers in the bill would also help to ensure that Gaelic-medium primary pupils are able to continue their Gaelic education in secondary school.

For Scots it would “encourage the increase of the language’s provision within Scotland’s school curriculum”.

Other provisions include the adoption of Scots and Gaelic as official languages and the establishment of areas of linguistic significance in Gaelic communities. This would allow ministers to focus grant funding in areas where Gaelic is most fragile.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes was appointed as Scotland’s first cabinet secretary for Gaelic in May, signalling the Scottish government’s determination to preserve the language as a “vital part” of the country’s culture.

Ms Forbes 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.”