Operational

Awarding grants, loans and contracts

When we publish invitations to tender for a contract, we will state in the invitation that tenders may be submitted in Welsh, and that a tender submitted in Welsh will be treated no less favourably than a tender submitted in English.

We will ensure that a tender for a contract submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than a tender submitted in English (including, amongst other matters, in relation to the closing date for receiving tenders, and in relation to the timescale for informing tenderers of decisions).

When we inform a tenderer of a decision in relation to a tender, we will do so in Welsh if the tender was submitted in Welsh.

When we invite applications for a grant or loan, we will state in the invitation that applications may be submitted in Welsh and that any application submitted in Welsh will be treated no less favourably than an application submitted in English.

We will ensure that applications for a grant or loan submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English (including, amongst other matters, in relation to the closing date for receiving applications and in relation to the timescale for informing applicants of decisions).

When we inform an applicant of a decision in relation to an application for a grant or loan, we will do so in Welsh if the application was submitted in Welsh.

IT services

Computer software for checking spelling and grammar in Welsh will be provided to all staff with the provision of software such as Cysgliad across business areas, and the ability to use Microsoft office programmes through the medium of Welsh.

Whenever possible, we will modify our existing information and communications technology systems to ensure that they enable us to provide information and services in Welsh and operate in accordance with this scheme.

Intranet and internal communications

The interface of the department’s intranet is in English as we are a UK-wide organisation. However, Welsh language content on the Intranet should be produced bilingually for staff in Wales where relevant. When Welsh text is used on the intranet, it will be fully functional and treated no less favourably than its English language counterpart. Our standard practice is that the Welsh text will come first, followed by the English version.

The UK Statistics Authority’s Welsh Language Team will maintain a designated page which provides services and supporting material to promote the Welsh language and to assist staff in using the Welsh language in the workplace. This page will be updated at regular intervals.

Receiving visitors to offices and sites in Wales

We will ensure that materials displayed at our reception areas in Wales are fully bilingual.

We will ensure that staff at the reception who are able to provide a Welsh language reception service wear a Work Welsh badge to convey that.

Staffing

All of our workplaces that have contact with the public in Wales need access to sufficient and appropriately skilled Welsh speakers to enable those workplaces to deliver a full service in Welsh. Where the ability to speak Welsh is essential or desirable for a post, this will be specified in the job description and advertisement for the post.

Staff will be encouraged to learn Welsh or improve their ability to use Welsh in the workplace.

We will identify and assess the areas where Welsh language skills are necessary.

We will undertake audits annually to establish the number, ability level and location of staff that can speak, read and write in Welsh (including staff that are learning Welsh).

The results of these two exercises will be compared to identify business areas where there is a shortage of Welsh speaking staff.

We will respond to any shortages through our recruitment and training activities.

We will consider the possibility of transferring staff able to speak Welsh to fill those posts where the ability to speak Welsh is desirable or essential.

For our offices outside Wales, we will seek information on the Welsh language skills of job applicants and existing staff.

Recruitment

Where Welsh language skills are considered necessary for job vacancies, this will be stated clearly in the job requirements and advertisements.

Posts that require skills in the Welsh language will be identified in a way that is easy, effective and accurate. The UK Statistics Authority’s Welsh Language Team will support the Recruitment Team in creating a framework to help managers plan their teams and determine whether they require staff with certain Welsh language skills, and to which proficiency levels those skills should be.

Information packs and application forms will be provided in Welsh and English for all our jobs where Welsh language skills are necessary.

Skills in the Welsh language may range from a courtesy level, where the postholder can pronounce Welsh names and recognise basic greetings, to those of a high proficiency.

We will ensure that we have Welsh-speaking staff in attendance at any recruitment fairs in which we participate in Wales.

Courses offered to staff

Our staff in Wales will be encouraged to learn or improve their ability to speak Welsh and we will support those who wish to do so. Priority will be given to those who have extensive and regular contact with the public, or who regularly deal with Welsh speakers as part of their work.

We will fund this training and allow staff to attend courses during work hours.

For our offices outside Wales, we will support and fund training for staff who, as part of their duties, have extensive and regular contact with the public in Wales and who wish to learn Welsh, or improve their Welsh.

We will develop the ability of our Welsh speaking staff to operate in Welsh by providing vocational training in Welsh.

Considering the effects of the department’s policy decisions on the Welsh language

The UK Statistics Authority’s Welsh Language Team will ensure that all business areas are made aware of the Welsh language requirements set out in this scheme when it comes to forming internal policy decisions that will be relevant to our work in Wales and use of the Welsh language within the organisation.