DCMS does not currently have plans to establish a statutory Cornish Language Commissioner.

Consistent with the Government’s ambitious devolution agenda and its belief that local communities are best placed to identify and deliver the support needed in their areas, Cornwall Council, with the support of UK Government, is leading efforts to strengthen and promote the Cornish language. This locally led approach ensures that measures are tailored to Cornwall’s unique cultural and linguistic heritage, while enabling the language to flourish for future generations.

This Government is committed to protecting minority languages and granting Part III recognition to Cornish under the Council of Europe’s European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages was a significant step in recognising and protecting a unique part of culture and heritage in the UK.

Consistent with the Government’s devolution agenda and its belief that local communities are best placed to identify and deliver the support needed in their areas, Cornwall Council, with the support of UK Government, is leading efforts to strengthen and promote the Cornish language. This locally led approach ensures that measures are tailored to Cornwall’s unique cultural and linguistic heritage, while enabling the language to flourish for future generations.

Following recent communication with all areas to understand devolution ambitions across England, we will be confirming next steps for devolution, including Cornwall, shortly.

The UK Government is committed to protecting minority languages and continues to support the Cornish language and culture through a range of measures from education to broadcasting and in international forums like the British-Irish Council.

At present, the Government does not have plans for a specific working group on the use of Cornish in local courts, administrative proceedings and legal documentation.

The study of languages is compulsory under the national curriculum at key stages 2 and 3 for all maintained schools, and for academies from 2028, following the passing of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act. Decisions about language provision are made locally by schools and academy trusts, enabling them to respond to the needs of their pupils and communities. The government recognises the importance of local language and cultural heritage, but has not assessed the merits of placing a statutory duty on Cornwall Council to provide Cornish language instruction in maintained primary schools and academies, and does not have plans to introduce a new ring-fenced funding stream for Cornish-medium education.

The study of languages is compulsory under the national curriculum at key stages 2 and 3 for all maintained schools, and for academies from 2028, following the passing of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act. Decisions about language provision are made locally by schools and academy trusts, enabling them to respond to the needs of their pupils and communities. The government recognises the importance of local language and cultural heritage, but has not assessed the merits of placing a statutory duty on Cornwall Council to provide Cornish language instruction in maintained primary schools and academies, and does not have plans to introduce a new ring-fenced funding stream for Cornish-medium education.

The BBC has a duty to reflect the diversity of the United Kingdom, both in its output and services. As set out in the recent Charter Review Green Paper, it is this Government’s ambition for the BBC to tell a unifying national story that represents all communities across the UK, and to drive growth in the nations and regions. This includes supporting the sustainability of minority language broadcasting and local media.

The Media Act ensures that, for the first time, indigenous and minority languages - including Cornish – form part of the public service remit for television in the UK, including for the BBC. It is for Ofcom, the independent regulator, to monitor compliance.

The Charter Review is considering a range of measures to ensure the BBC can continue to serve all audiences, including how it continues to support Minority Language Broadcasting.

Decisions about which languages to offer at GCSE in England are taken by four independent awarding organisations: AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel and WJEC. These organisations have the freedom to create a Cornish GCSE based on subject content set by the department. This decision would be informed by several factors, including the level of demand from schools, and the proportion of the UK population who speak the language.

I thank my hon. Friend for the question. The Government are very committed to protecting and supporting our minority languages, which are a vital part of the cultural fabric of our country. When we launched the charter review, it was intended to give space to consider how the BBC can best support minority language broadcasting, including Cornish, and I would be delighted to arrange a meeting for him.

Meur ras ha myttin da, Madam Deputy Speaker. In the consultation on the renewal of the BBC’s royal charter, the Government will consider how the BBC provides a range of content and services that represents all audiences and brings communities together. Does the Secretary of State agree that Cornish language and media content should be specifically included in the new charter? Will she meet me to discuss how the renewed charter can support the case for a Kernow public service media platform?

The Multiplex Licence (Broadcasting of Programmes in Gaelic) Order 1996 was repealed in 2011. As a result, Gaelic language broadcasting generally, and services currently broadcast wholly or mainly in Cornwall, are no longer required to meet the criteria of the Multiplex Licence (Broadcasting of Programmes in Gaelic) Order 1996.

Regarding Cornish and Gaelic programming, the Media Act 2024 once commenced, will for the first time make clear in legislation the importance of the provision of these indigenous regional and minority languages as part of the modernised public service remit for television. It will be for Ofcom, the independent regulator, to monitor compliance.

In terms of the provision of the broadcasting of television programming in Scottish Gaelic in Scotland, the 1996 Order was replaced with the current arrangement between the BBC and MG ALBA for the carriage of BBC Alba. The BBC report on its provision of Scottish Gaelic programming in its annual report, and Ofcom annually reports on the amount of first run hours of Gaelic television programming aired on BBC Alba.

Additionally, the BBC has a broader obligation under its Royal Charter to reflect, represent and serve the diverse communities of all the UK’s nations and regions, including support for Minority Language Broadcasting across its services.

Meanwhile, support for Irish Gaelic programming is facilitated through support from the Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund (ILBF) and the Nimux programme which extends the coverage of TG4, the Irish Gaelic public service channel, across Northern Ireland.

The UK Government recognises Cornish as a minority language under Part II of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and under the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

There are no statutory requirements for the Home Office to provide official documents in Cornish. Responsibility for promoting and supporting the Cornish language sits with Cornwall Council, with UK-wide policy oversight led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Cornish is not currently a legally recognised formal language under UK law. Any translations or bilingual materials would be a matter of voluntary policy or local practice. Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.

The government is committed to promoting economic growth in all parts of the country including coastal communities. It has introduced a new, targeted approach to support regional growth, tackle deprivation, and restore pride to communities. These new programmes are just one component of the government’s strategy, which also includes the publishing of the Industrial Strategy; and the expansion of devolution.

MHCLG Area Teams will continue to work with local stakeholders to understand challenges and opportunities from across all communities, reflecting these into the relevant government departments and policy teams.

On 19 May, Defra launched the “Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund” that will invest £360 million over the next 12 years to help support the UK fishing industry and revitalise coastal communities. Defra will be engaging with stakeholders to understand how to target this funding where it matters most.

MHCLG will continue to work with Cornwall Council and its partners to encourage the further development of Cornish culture and heritage. This will follow up work including the funding of £500,000 for Cornish language and culture as part of Cornwall’s Devolution Deal in 2023.

The Department has no current plans to authorise the use of Cornish language signs on trunk roads at entry points into Cornwall or on traffic signs within Cornwall.

Even if local authorities believe they have an exceptional need to translate English traffic signs into other languages, there is no provision for this in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD).

The Department has no current plans to authorise the use of Cornish language signs on trunk roads at entry points into Cornwall or on traffic signs within Cornwall.

Even if local authorities believe they have an exceptional need to translate English traffic signs into other languages, there is no provision for this in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD).

The government recognises the importance of protecting and celebrating the unique cultural heritage and minority languages which exist in the UK. We note the request for greater recognition and protection for the Cornish language and we continue to support Cornish language and culture through a range of measures – from our work to ensure that indigenous and minority languages - including Cornish - form part of the public service remit for television in the UK through the Media Act 2024; to funding of £500,000 for Cornish language and culture work as part of Cornwall’s Devolution Deal.