Petition · past parliament
All Government forms, publications in English or English/Welsh languages only.
Closed
143 signatures
What the petition asks
All Government forms and publications should be printed in English or English/Welsh languages only.
The public sector is estimated to spend 140 million a year on translation services.
The public sector is estimated to spend 140 million a year on translation services.
Local councils spend at least £25m; the police £21m; the courts system spends more than £10m without accounting for the cost of legal aid; and the NHS - a conservative estimate is £55m.
The Human Rights Act only requires translation if someone is arrested or charged with a criminal offence.
Translating is not only expensive it is doing harm because it reinforces the language barrier which separates communities from the rest of Britain and hinders integration.
The Human Rights Act only requires translation if someone is arrested or charged with a criminal offence.
Translating is not only expensive it is doing harm because it reinforces the language barrier which separates communities from the rest of Britain and hinders integration.
Timeline
| 2 Dec 2016 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 2 May 2017 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
143
Status
Closed
Opened
2 Dec 2016
Closed
2 May 2017
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.