Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Act 2025

(Introduced by section 5)

SCHEDULE 1 E+W TYPES OF WELSH LANGUAGE USER AND COMMON REFERENCE LEVELS

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 1 in force at 7.9.2025, see s. 56(2)

The Table reproduces (in relation to the Welsh language) the summary of the common reference levels contained in Appendix 1 to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment - Companion Volume (2020), which updates the 2001 Common European Framework of Reference for Languages developed by the Council of Europe (and referred to in European Council Resolution 14757/01 on the promotion of linguistic diversity and language learning in the framework of the implementation of the objectives of the European Year of Languages 2001).

TABLE 1

Types of Welsh language user	Common reference levels	General characteristics
Proficient Welsh language user	C2	Can understand virtually all types of text. Can summarise information from different oral and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
	C1	Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express themselves fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
Independent Welsh language user	B2	Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with users of the target language quite possible without strain on either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
	B1	Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
Basic Welsh language user	A2	Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (for example, very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of their background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
	A1	Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce themselves and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where someone lives, people they know and things they have. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

Prospective

(Introduced by section 38)

SCHEDULE 2 E+W NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING WELSH

PART 1 E+W STATUS

Status E+W

1 (1) The Learning Welsh Institute is not to be regarded as a servant or agent of the Crown or as enjoying any status, immunity or privilege of the Crown.

(2) The property of the Learning Welsh Institute is not to be regarded as the property of the Crown or property held on its behalf.

Commencement Information

I2 Sch. 2 para. 1 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)

PART 2 E+W MEMBERSHIP

Members E+W

2 (1) The members of the Learning Welsh Institute are—

(a) a person appointed by the Welsh Ministers as its chair;

(b) at least 6 and no more than 10 other persons appointed by the Welsh Ministers;

(c) its chief executive (see paragraph 6);

(d) at least 1 but no more than 2 other members of the Learning Welsh Institute’s staff appointed by the chief executive and the non-executive members.

(2) In this Schedule—

(a) the chair and the members of the Learning Welsh Institute appointed under sub-paragraph (1)(b) are referred to collectively as “non-executive members”;

(b) the chief executive and members of the Learning Welsh Institute appointed under sub-paragraph (1)(d) are referred to collectively as “executive members”.

(3) The Welsh Ministers may appoint one of the members appointed under sub-paragraph (1)(b) as deputy chair.

(4) The Welsh Ministers may amend sub-paragraph (1), by regulations, to substitute a different number for any of the numbers specified; but the number of non-executive members must always exceed the number of executive members.

(5) In appointing a non-executive member, the Welsh Ministers must have regard to the desirability of appointing persons who—

(a) possess experience of a matter, and have demonstrated ability in a matter, relevant to the exercise of the Learning Welsh Institute’s functions, and

(b) have a range of skills and experience.

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 2 para. 2 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)

Disqualification from non-executive membership E+W

3 A person is disqualified from being a non-executive member if the person is—

(a) a member of the Learning Welsh Institute’s staff,

(b) a Member of the Senedd,

(c) a member of the House of Commons or the House of Lords,

(d) a member of a local authority,

(e) a person employed in the civil service of the State, or

(f) the holder of an office, or a member of a body or a member of staff of a body, specified by the Welsh Ministers by regulations.

Commencement Information

I4 Sch. 2 para. 3 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)

Non-executive membership terms E+W

4 (1) A non-executive member holds office for such period, and on such terms and conditions, as may be specified in the terms of appointment, but this is subject to sub-paragraphs (2) to (4) and paragraph 5.

(2) The period of office specified in the terms of appointment of a non-executive member may not exceed 5 years.

(3) A person who has held office as a non-executive member may be reappointed as a non-executive member once only (and sub-paragraph (2) applies in relation to the reappointment).

(4) The Learning Welsh Institute may, with the approval of the Welsh Ministers—

(a) pay‍ remuneration, expenses and allowances to its non-executive members;

(b) pay pensions to, or in respect of, persons who have been non-executive members and amounts for or towards provision of pensions to, or in respect of, persons who have been non-executive members.

Commencement Information

I5 Sch. 2 para. 4 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)

Removal etc. of members E+W

5 (1) The Welsh Ministers may remove a non-executive member from office if they are satisfied that—

(a) the person is unfit to remain a member, or

(b) the person is unable or unwilling to exercise the functions of a member.

(2) The Welsh Ministers may suspend a non-executive member from office by notice if it appears to them that there may be grounds for exercising the power in sub-paragraph (1).

(3) A suspension by notice under sub-paragraph (2) has effect—

(a) for a period specified in the notice, or

(b) if no period is specified in the notice, until further notice is given by the Welsh Ministers to the suspended person.

(4) A non-executive member may resign by giving notice to the Welsh Ministers.

(5) A person ceases to be a non-executive member if that person becomes disqualified (see paragraph 3).

(6) A person ceases to be chair or deputy chair (as the case may be) if that person ceases to be a non-executive member.

(7) A person ceases to be an executive member upon ceasing to be a member of staff.

(8) A person suspended from office under this paragraph may not participate in the proceedings of the Learning Welsh Institute, or the proceedings of its committees or sub-committees, during the period in which the suspension has effect.

Commencement Information

I6 Sch. 2 para. 5 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)

PART 3 E+W STAFF

Chief executive E+W

6 (1) The Learning Welsh Institute must have a chief executive.

(2) The first chief executive is to be appointed by the Welsh Ministers‍.

(3) The person appointed under sub-paragraph (2) is to be appointed on such terms and conditions (including terms and conditions as to remuneration, expenses, allowances and pension) as the Welsh Ministers may determine.

(4) But where the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246) apply in relation to the person appointed under sub-paragraph (2) the appointment and the determination of that person’s terms and conditions under sub-paragraph (3) must be made in accordance with those Regulations.

(5) Subsequent appointments are to be made by the non-executive members on such terms and conditions (including terms and conditions as to remuneration, expenses, allowances and pension) as they may determine.

(6) But the non-executive members may not agree terms and conditions as to remuneration, expenses, allowances or pension of the chief executive‍ without the approval of the Welsh Ministers.

(7) The chief executive is a member of staff.

(8) Service as the chief executive is not service in the civil service of the State.

Commencement Information

I7 Sch. 2 para. 6 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)

Other staff E+W

7 (1) The Learning Welsh Institute may appoint other members of staff.

(2) A member of staff appointed under this paragraph may be appointed on such terms and conditions (including terms and conditions as to remuneration, expenses, allowances and pension) as the Learning Welsh Institute determines.

(3) But the Learning Welsh Institute may not agree terms and conditions as to remuneration, expenses, allowances or pension of members of staff without the approval of the Welsh Ministers.

(4) Service as a member of staff appointed under this paragraph is not service in the civil service of the State.

Commencement Information

I8 Sch. 2 para. 7 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)

PART 4 E+W DELEGATION

Committees and sub-committees E+W

8 (1) The Learning Welsh Institute may establish committees and sub-committees.

(2) A committee established under this paragraph may establish sub-committees.

(3) A committee or sub-committee established under this paragraph may consist of persons who are not members of the Learning Welsh Institute or members of its staff, but those persons do not have the right to vote at meetings of the committee or sub-committee (as the case may be).

(4) The Learning Welsh Institute may pay such remuneration, expenses and allowances as determined by the Welsh Ministers to any person who—

(a) is a member of a committee or of a sub-committee established under this paragraph, but

(b) is not a member of the Learning Welsh Institute, nor a member of its staff.

Commencement Information

I9 Sch. 2 para. 8 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)

Delegation E+W

9 (1) The Learning Welsh Institute may delegate any of its functions to any one or more of—

(a) its committees,

(b) its sub-committees (whether established under paragraph 8(1) or (2)),

(c) its members, or

(d) its members of staff.

(2) A committee of the Learning Welsh Institute may delegate any function exercisable by it to—

(a) a sub-committee of the Learning Welsh Institute (whether established under paragraph 8(1) or (2)),

(b) a member of the Learning Welsh Institute, or

(c) a member of the Learning Welsh Institute’s staff.

(3) A sub-committee (whether established under paragraph 8(1) or (2)) may delegate any function exercisable by it to—

(a) a member of the Learning Welsh Institute, or

(b) a member of the Learning Welsh Institute’s staff.

(4) The Learning Welsh Institute may—

(a) direct a committee or sub-committee that it may not delegate a function specified in the direction;

(b) direct a committee or sub-committee to vary or revoke any delegation specified in the direction;

(c) direct a committee to vary or revoke any direction given by the committee under sub-paragraph (5).

(5) A committee of the Learning Welsh Institute that has delegated a function to a sub-committee may—

(a) direct the sub-committee that it may not delegate the function;

(b) direct the sub-committee to vary or revoke any delegation of that function made by it.

(6) A function is delegated under this paragraph to the extent and on the terms specified by the person making the delegation, but this is subject to any direction under sub-paragraphs (4) and (5).

(7) The delegation of a function under this paragraph does not prevent the Learning Welsh Institute (or the committee or sub-committee, as the case may be) from exercising the function in question.

(8) The delegation of a function under this paragraph does not affect the Learning Welsh Institute’s responsibility for exercising the function in question.

Commencement Information

I10 Sch. 2 para. 9 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)

PART 5 E+W PROCEDURE ETC.

Procedure E+W

10 (1) The Learning Welsh Institute must make rules to regulate its own procedure (including quorum).

(2) The rules must provide that a meeting of the Learning Welsh Institute does not constitute a quorum unless a majority of the members present are non-executive members.

(3) The Learning Welsh Institute must make rules to regulate the procedure of its committees and sub-committees (including quorum).

(4) The Learning Welsh Institute, its committees and sub-committees may determine their own procedure (including quorum), subject to any rules made by the Learning Welsh Institute under sub-paragraph (3).

Commencement Information

I11 Sch. 2 para. 10 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)

Validity of proceedings and acts E+W

11 The following do not affect the validity of proceedings and acts of the Learning Welsh Institute (or of its committees and sub-committees)—

(a) any vacancy in the membership of the Learning Welsh Institute, or

(b) any defect in the appointment of a member.

Commencement Information

I12 Sch. 2 para. 11 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)

Seal E+W

12 If the Learning Welsh Institute has a seal, it must be verified by the signature of—

(a) a member of the Learning Welsh Institute authorised for that purpose, or

(b) a member of the Learning Welsh Institute’s staff authorised for that purpose.

Commencement Information

I13 Sch. 2 para. 12 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)

Evidence E+W

13 A document purporting to be duly executed under the seal of the Learning Welsh Institute or to be signed on behalf of the Learning Welsh Institute is to be received in evidence and, unless the contrary is proved, taken to be so executed or signed.

Commencement Information

I14 Sch. 2 para. 13 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)

PART 6 E+W FINANCIAL MATTERS

Finance E+W

14 The Welsh Ministers may make payments by grant or loan to the Learning Welsh Institute of such amounts, and at such times, and on such conditions as the Welsh Ministers determine.

Commencement Information

I15 Sch. 2 para. 14 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)

Accounting officer E+W

15 (1) The chief executive of the Learning Welsh Institute is its accounting officer.

(2) If the chief executive is unable to discharge the responsibilities as accounting officer, the Learning Welsh Institute must nominate a member of its staff to be the accounting officer for as long as the chief executive is unable to discharge the responsibilities.

(3) If the office of chief executive is vacant, the Learning Welsh Institute must nominate a member of its staff to be the accounting officer for as long as the office of chief executive remains vacant.

(4) The accounting officer has, in relation to the accounts and finances of the Learning Welsh Institute, the responsibilities specified for the time being by the Welsh Ministers.

(5) The responsibilities that may be specified under this paragraph include (among other things)—

(a) responsibilities in relation to the signing of the accounts;

(b) responsibilities for the appropriateness and regularity of the finances of the Learning Welsh Institute;

(c) responsibilities for the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of the use of the Learning Welsh Institute’s resources;

(d) responsibilities owed to the Welsh Ministers, Senedd Cymru or its Public Accounts Committee.

Commencement Information

I16 Sch. 2 para. 15 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)

Accounts E+W

16 (1) The Learning Welsh Institute must—

(a) keep proper accounts and proper records in relation to them, and

(b) prepare a statement of accounts for each financial year.

(2) Each statement of accounts must comply with any direction given by the Welsh Ministers as to—

(a) the information to be included in the statement;

(b) the manner in which the information is to be presented;

(c) the methods and principles according to which the statement is to be prepared;

(d) additional information that is to accompany the statement.

(3) No later than 31 August after the end of each financial year, the Learning Welsh Institute must submit its statement of accounts for that financial year to—

(a) the Auditor General for Wales, and

(b) the Welsh Ministers.

Commencement Information

I17 Sch. 2 para. 16 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)

Audit E+W

17 (1) This paragraph applies in relation to each statement of accounts submitted to the Auditor General for Wales by the Learning Welsh Institute under paragraph 16(3)(a).

(2) The Auditor General for Wales must—

(a) examine, certify and report on the statement of accounts;

(b) provide a copy of the certified statement of accounts and report to the Learning Welsh Institute.

(3) The Auditor General for Wales must, before the end of the period of 4 months beginning with the day the statement of accounts is submitted (“the 4-month period”), lay before Senedd Cymru—

(a) a copy of the certified statement of accounts and report, or

(b) if it is not reasonably practicable to comply with paragraph (a), a statement to that effect.

(4) Where a statement is laid under sub-paragraph (3)(b), the Auditor General must lay before Senedd Cymru a copy of the certified statement of accounts and report as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of the 4-month period.

(5) In complying with sub-paragraph (2), the Auditor General for Wales must examine and report on whether, in the opinion of the Auditor General, the expenditure to which the accounts relate has been incurred lawfully and in accordance with the authority governing that expenditure.

Commencement Information

I18 Sch. 2 para. 17 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)

Examination into use of resources E+W

18 (1) The Auditor General for Wales may carry out examinations into the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which resources have been used in discharging the Learning Welsh Institute’s functions.

(2) But that does not entitle the Auditor General for Wales to question the merits of the Learning Welsh Institute’s policy objectives.

(3) Before carrying out an examination the Auditor General for Wales must—

(a) consult Senedd Cymru, and

(b) take into account the views of Senedd Cymru as to whether or not an examination should be carried out.

(4) The Auditor General for Wales must—

(a) as soon as is reasonably practicable, publish a report of the results of an examination carried out under this paragraph, and

(b) lay a copy of the report before Senedd Cymru.

Commencement Information

I19 Sch. 2 para. 18 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)

Register of interests E+W

19 (1) The Learning Welsh Institute must establish and maintain a register of the interests of its members.

(2) The Learning Welsh Institute must publish entries recorded in the members’ register of interests.

Commencement Information

I20 Sch. 2 para. 19 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)

Supplementary powers E+W

20 (1) The Learning Welsh Institute may do anything it considers—

(a) appropriate for the purposes of, or in connection with, its functions, or

(b) incidental or conducive to the exercise of those functions.

(2) The Learning Welsh Institute may (among other things)—

(a) acquire or dispose of land or other property;

(b) enter into contracts;

(c) invest sums;

(d) accept gifts of money, land or other property.

(3) But the Learning Welsh Institute may not borrow money without the approval of the Welsh Ministers.

Commencement Information

I21 Sch. 2 para. 20 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)

PART 7 E+W CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENT

Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32) E+W

21 In section 148 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (meaning of “Welsh public records”), in subsection (2), after paragraph (k), insert—

“(kza) the National Institute for Learning Welsh,”.

Commencement Information

I22 Sch. 2 para. 21 in force at 1.8.2027, see s. 56(3)