Ulster Scots Language

(asked on 11th May 2021) - View Source

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the undertaking in paragraph 24 of Annex A to the New Decade New Approach document of 9 January 2020 that the UK will recognise Ulster Scots as a national minority under the Framework Convention for National Minorities, if he will confirm that it remains Government policy to continue to recognise Ulster Scots speakers as a linguistic minority.


Answered by
Robin Walker Portrait
Robin Walker
This question was answered on 17th May 2021

The Government is continuing work to deliver on its commitment in New Decade, New Approach to recognise Ulster Scots as a national minority under the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

The Northern Ireland Executive is primarily responsible for supporting and promoting language and culture, including Ulster Scots. To this end, the New Decade, New Approach agreement also contains important commitments from the Executive to progress. The Government welcomes the recent establishment by the Executive of the new Translation Hub in this regard.

We are continuing to work with the Executive to ensure the full delivery of the important New Decade, New Approach language, identity and culture commitments at the earliest possible opportunity.

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