Ulster Scots Language: Finance

(asked on 13th December 2022) - View Source

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if the Government will take steps to provide funding to help increase the level of understanding of Ulster-Scots language.


Answered by
Steve Baker Portrait
Steve Baker
Minister of State (Northern Ireland Office)
This question was answered on 20th December 2022

The Government firmly believes that Northern Ireland’s tapestry of identities and cultures is a strength of the Union, and is proud of its strong track record of delivering for the Ulster Scots. The Government has already met its specific funding commitments to support Ulster Scots broadcasting set out in New Decade, New Approach, which was referred to in my answer of 21 November, UIN 85057.

In addition to this New Decade, New Approach funding and the recognition of the Ulster Scots as a National Minority, the Government has delivered the Identity & Language (NI) Act which will establish a specific Commissioner for the benefit of the Ulster Scots. We also secured agreement for the BBC Framework Agreement to include a specific clause that provides a clear commitment to BBC output in the Ulster Scots language.

The Government will continue this important work to support linguistic diversity across the UK.

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