Judicial review called over NS&I's Welsh language policy

Welsh language commissioner Meri Huws had asked NS&I to reconsider

A High Court judge is to decide if state-backed National Savings and Investment (NS&I) will have to resume using the Welsh language.

NS&I, famed for its premium bonds and savings accounts, announced in April it was discontinuing its Welsh-language policy citing low demand.

But Welsh language commissioner Meri Huws applied for a judicial review after NS&I rejected her request to reconsider its decision.

The case will be heard later this year.

NS&I said that its Welsh language policy was costly and under used by its customers

Ms Huws used powers under the 2011 Welsh Language Measure or Welsh law to apply for a judicial review into the matter.

It had followed NS&I's announcement that it would not continue with its Welsh-language policy.

It said that the policy was too costly and that not many customers corresponded in Welsh with NS&I.

NS&I had not consulted with the commissioner or the public over its plan.

Despite Ms Huws' request to reconsider the decision her request was rejected prompting her to ask for a judicial review.

The case will be heard sometime between November and the end of January.