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British Sign Language Week
20 March 2025
Lead MP
Jen Craft
Thurrock
Lab
Responding Minister
Sir Stephen Timms
Tags
Taxation
Word Count: 12225
Other Contributors: 15
At a Glance
Jen Craft raised concerns about british sign language week in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The lead MP asks the Minister to work with her, the British Deaf Association and the National Deaf Children’s Society to build a pathway ensuring that parents of deaf children have access to relevant BSL lessons no matter where they grow up.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
There are 87,000 first-language signers in the UK for whom British Sign Language represents culture, community and belonging. However, support to learn BSL is based on a postcode lottery with 90% of deaf children born to hearing parents facing inadequate access to fluent sign language teachers.
Alison Hume
Lab
Scarborough and Whitby
Highlights inadequate support for deaf children in north Yorkshire, advocating for qualified teachers of the deaf.
Amanda Hack
Lab
North West Leicestershire
Emphasises the importance of early years British Sign Language provision for deaf children, highlighting its role in socialising and removing barriers. Calls for more accessible sign language classes and recognition of families' right to learn BSL.
Chris Vince
Lab/Co-op
Harlow
Says the issue is about accessibility, and notes that Government consultations often overlook BSL interpretation. Acknowledged the importance of accessibility in political engagement and declared his intention to make sure constituents can have access to their MP in BSL.
Clive Jones
LD
Wokingham
Applauds the hon. Member for Thurrock's campaigning on behalf of the deaf community, stressing that all deaf and hearing-impaired individuals have a basic human right to full participation in society. The Liberal Democrats have a history of advocating for BSL, including fighting for its legal recognition and supporting measures to improve access to services. The speaker is concerned about delays in implementing GCSE qualifications and asks the Minister not to scrap these plans.
The hon. Friend agrees that delays exist around what a qualification would look like but suggests the Minister provides an update on progress to ensure new BSL signers are confident and highlights employment challenges faced by BSL first-language speakers.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
In Northern Ireland, there are two sign languages: British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language. Schools have incorporated some basic sign language, but there is a need for more integration in society. He discussed issues related to BSL services in healthcare and mentioned the inadequacy of the NHS 111 BSL service, highlighting both progress and areas where more is needed. Inquired about the possibility of implementing a 24/7 video system for police forces on mainland England, similar to that used in Northern Ireland for those with hearing issues.
Matt Turmaine
Lab
Watford
There are still issues with BSL interpreter availability, including the placement of interpreters at televised events which can make it difficult for BSL users to follow events on TV.
Matt Vickers
Con
Stockton West
Celebrated the contributions of the deaf community and BSL users, highlighting challenges faced by local organisations in providing adequate services. He spoke about means of communication and highlighted the role of MeSign in tackling isolation, pointing out that provision of BSL in Government services was woeful.
Mims Davies
Con
East Grinstead and Uckfield
The MP acknowledges the importance of BSL and highlights her work as a former Minister in improving accessibility for deaf people. She also mentions that while progress has been made, there is still more to do, including reporting annually under the British Sign Language Act 2022. Asked the Minister to ensure collaboration with devolved nations to prevent a postcode lottery regarding access to BSL education.
Julie Minns
Lab
Carlisle
Discussed the importance of BSL for over 150,000 people in the UK, emphasizing the need for better accessibility to public services and utilities through video relay access.
Minns
Lab
Carlisle
Asked utility companies in her constituency whether they have taken measures to ensure BSL interpretation for those who need it.
Noah Law
Lab
St Austell and Newquay
My constituent Sarah has been unable to afford a British Sign Language course for her son, which costs up to £400. She welcomes the prospect of a GCSE in BSL but raises concerns about affordability in non-devolved areas like Cornwall.
Rachel Taylor
Lab
North Warwickshire and Bedworth
Acknowledges the importance of BSL as a communication tool for the deaf community based on her previous work experience with the Royal National Institute for Deaf People.
Acknowledged the issues raised and mentioned that Cornwall will have devolved control over adult skills funding from 2025-26, providing a chance for local decision-making on BSL courses. Also discussed ongoing work to finalise GCSE assessment arrangements.
Tessa Munt
LD
Wells and Mendip Hills
The hon. Lady supports teaching British Sign Language in schools, recognising its potential to address speech, language and communication difficulties among young people.
Government Response
Sir Stephen Timms
The Minister for Social Security and Disability
Government Response
The Minister acknowledged the need for further work to make BSL accessible for everyone who needs it, apologised for delays in publishing the BSL version of the Green Paper, and committed to annual publication of British Sign Language reports. He also discussed the role of Lead Ministers for Disability in reviewing progress on the BSL Act. Welcomed the innovative arrangement mentioned by Jim Shannon and expressed willingness to meet representatives of devolved nations to collaborate. Discussed ongoing work on GCSE assessment arrangements, including a technical consultation set to launch in the next few weeks. Highlighted advancements in AI for BSL interpretation and discussed ethical considerations around such technology. Mentioned launching a 12-week consultation on mandatory disability pay gap reporting, including a BSL version of the document.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.