Asked by: Kate Osamor (Labour (Co-op) - Edmonton and Winchmore Hill)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with Ofcom on recognising sign-presented British Sign Language content as distinct from sign-translated British Sign Language content within the Video-on-Demand Accessibility Code.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Department has regular discussions with Ofcom and accessibility representatives on the provision of sign-presented and sign-translated British Sign Language. The Media Act 2024 introduced new requirements for mainstream video-on-demand services to be made accessible to disabled people, including provision of signing. It is a matter for Ofcom, the independent regulator, to consult on, and publish a Code (the ‘Tier 1 Accessibility Code’) setting out these requirements and giving guidance.
Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to engage with the UKRI-funded Sciencewise study into the use of AI for British Sign Language.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
The government notes the Minderoo report and its recommendations, which are under consideration.
As part of HMG's commitment to supporting Deaf and disabled people, we are supporting the RNID and ScienceWise public dialogue project on AI and BSL called 'What is the future?’. This will explore opportunities, challenges and ethical issues of AI BSL translations, providing future recommendations for government and technology leaders including on how the Deaf community can be involved in and shape future AI-driven BSL tools.
The Disability Unit and Government Commercial Agency are part funders of this project and one member of the Government’s BSL Advisory Board (Ahmed Mudawi), will sit on the project’s Oversight Board. The BSL Advisory Board also has a technology subgroup focusing on AI.
It is vital that developments in the use of AI for BSL are closely monitored and that the UK Government continues to engage with the BSL Advisory Board and wider Deaf community on potential uses and risks, and how it could help improve the lives of Deaf people.
Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his department is taking to ensure engagement with the UKRI-funded Sciencewise study into the use of AI for British Sign Language.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
The government notes the Minderoo report and its recommendations, which are under consideration.
As part of HMG's commitment to supporting Deaf and disabled people, we are supporting the RNID and ScienceWise public dialogue project on AI and BSL called 'What is the future?’. This will explore opportunities, challenges and ethical issues of AI BSL translations, providing future recommendations for government and technology leaders including on how the Deaf community can be involved in and shape future AI-driven BSL tools.
The Disability Unit and Government Commercial Agency are part funders of this project and one member of the Government’s BSL Advisory Board (Ahmed Mudawi), will sit on the project’s Oversight Board. The BSL Advisory Board also has a technology subgroup focusing on AI.
It is vital that developments in the use of AI for BSL are closely monitored and that the UK Government continues to engage with the BSL Advisory Board and wider Deaf community on potential uses and risks, and how it could help improve the lives of Deaf people.
Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what consideration his department has given to the recommendations of the Minderoo report BSL is not for sale.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
The government notes the Minderoo report and its recommendations, which are under consideration.
As part of HMG's commitment to supporting Deaf and disabled people, we are supporting the RNID and ScienceWise public dialogue project on AI and BSL called 'What is the future?’. This will explore opportunities, challenges and ethical issues of AI BSL translations, providing future recommendations for government and technology leaders including on how the Deaf community can be involved in and shape future AI-driven BSL tools.
The Disability Unit and Government Commercial Agency are part funders of this project and one member of the Government’s BSL Advisory Board (Ahmed Mudawi), will sit on the project’s Oversight Board. The BSL Advisory Board also has a technology subgroup focusing on AI.
It is vital that developments in the use of AI for BSL are closely monitored and that the UK Government continues to engage with the BSL Advisory Board and wider Deaf community on potential uses and risks, and how it could help improve the lives of Deaf people.
Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what progress his department has made on updating its guidance for BSL procurement to consider advances in AI.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)
The Department recognises the opportunities presented by AI while ensuring that accessibility and quality remain central to the procurement of services. The Government Communications guidance on using BSL was also updated in October 2026 and provides advice on commissioning and quality assuring BSL content. We will continue to consider developments in AI alongside accessibility, quality and the needs of BSL users.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his department has made of the level of need for non police personnel vetted British Sign Language interpreters, and whether he has plans to increase this capacity.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The Ministry of Justice keeps demand for appropriately vetted British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters under review. Current contract management information does not indicate that the availability of interpreters holding Non-Police Personnel Vetting Level 3 (NPPV3) clearance is adversely affecting the fulfilment of BSL bookings.
The Department will continue to monitor demand and work with its supplier to address any capacity requirements that arise.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many British Sign Language interpreters have been approved by non police personnel vetting.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
There are currently 291 British Sign Language (BSL) professionals registered under the Ministry of Justice’s Visual and Tactile interpreting contract. Of these, 19 hold Non-Police Personnel Vetting Level 3 (NPPV3) clearance and 272 hold Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance. BPSS is the standard requirement, with higher clearance required where appropriate to the booking.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much the Disclosure and Barring Service spent on interpreters and related translation services in (1) 2022, (2) 2023, (3) 2024 and (4) 2025.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
Over the four years in question, the Disclosure & Barring Service spent £89,916.02 on interpreters and related translation services (including British Sign Language interpretation and translation plus other deafness support).
This breaks down as £16,413.69 in 2022; £24,730.10 in 2023; £21,093.70 in 2024; and £27,678.53 in 2025.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 10 September 2026, to Question 21087, on DEFRA: Equality, and of 9 July 2026, to Question 15238, on Ofwat: Equality, what were the titles of each of the short virtual EDI events that were undertaken by Cultural Calendar Club through Powered by Diversity.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2024
2025
To be clear, all sessions were online.
Asked by: Gregory Stafford (Conservative - Farnham and Bordon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the availability of British Sign Language interpreters in Accident and Emergency departments.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 8 September in response to Question 22049.