Covid-19

Lilian Greenwood Excerpts
Monday 16th March 2020

(4 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Matt Hancock Portrait Matt Hancock
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That is a matter that the Education Secretary is considering.

Lilian Greenwood Portrait Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab)
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Seventy per cent. of people over the age of 70 are living with hearing loss, so it is welcome that most public health messaging on TV is subtitled. However, for those whose first language is British Sign Language, reading written English can be really difficult, and much of the public health messaging is inaccessible. Given the seriousness of this fast-moving situation, will the Secretary of State ensure that all press conferences featuring a Minister, the chief medical officer or the chief scientific adviser have a BSL interpreter present? Also, how is he ensuring that the communication needs of those with hearing problems are being met when they require health treatment?