Part 7: Language Requirements for Public Sector Workers Section 77: English language requirements for public sector workers
In order to improve the quality of service provided by public authorities, such as the NHS and the Police, the Government believe that workers who regularly speak to the public as part of their role must be able to speak fluent English. Fluent English is defined in this section as a sufficient command of spoken English that enables workers, employed when or after this duty comes into effect, to perform their role effectively. The duty will only apply to public authorities defined in section 78, and such authorities should consider the applicable code of practice under section 80 when deciding how to comply with the duty. The section also requires such public authorities to operate procedures for handling complaints about breaches of the duty, and to have regard to the applicable code of practice under section 80 when deciding whether those procedures are adequate.