The British Sign Language (BSL) Bill was introduced to the House of Commons as a private members’ bill on 16 June 2021 by Rosie Cooper. The BSL Bill gained cross-party and Government support before passing its second and third reading in the House of Commons and Lords without any difficulties. It received royal assent on 28 April 2022.
The BSL Act will help remove barriers faced by the D/deaf community in daily life and is a further welcome step towards a more inclusive and accessible society.
The BSL Act will recognise BSL as a language of England, Wales and Scotland in its own right.
The Act also creates a duty on the Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to regularly report on what each relevant government department has done to promote or facilitate the use of British Sign Language in its communications with the public.
The Act further places a requirement on the DWP Secretary of State to issue guidance to departments on the promotion and facilitation of BSL. The guidance will be developed together with D/deaf BSL signers.
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