On 5 December 2025, the United Kingdom notified the Council of Europe that it will apply Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages to the Cornish language.

This decision significantly strengthens the protection and promotion of the Cornish language. By applying Part III of the Charter, the UK authorities undertake to implement 36 promotional measures covering, for example, teaching in or of Cornish and the possibility to submit documents and applications in the language to authorities. In addition, the measures cover provisions for the use of Cornish in media, cultural activities, economic and social life, and cross-border cooperation.

This is a welcomed addition, especially as the United Kingdom similarly extended its undertakings in 2020 by applying Part III of the Charter to the Manx Gaelic language.

The Committee of Experts of the Charter encourages states parties to regularly review their level of commitment under the Charter so as to reflect improvements in the situation of their regional or minority languages.

The Treaty Office notification can be consulted here.