BREAKING: British Sign Language (BSL) Bill passes second reading in Commons

A Bill to recognise British Sign Language (BSL) as an official language moved one step closer to becoming law on Friday, when MPs emphatically supported the proposals at its second reading.

The Commons voted to progress the Private Members’ Bill, introduced by Labour MP Rosie Cooper in June, onto its committee stage in a debate which lasted almost two and a half hours.

Speaking at the start of the debate, Ms Cooper – who is a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA) – said: “Today is a momentous day for many Deaf people – a day they thought would never come.

“Hearing children of Deaf parents grow up fast. They have to shoulder the responsibility well beyond their years, and that is not fair.

“It’s an understatement to say that Deaf cultural values have shaped the person I am today […] Today, this Bill is my way of paying it forward.”

Several MPs went on to contribute to the debate, with many signing their thanks to Ms Cooper for bringing the Bill forward.

West Ham MP Lyn Brown referenced the story of a daughter interpreting her Deaf father’s terminal cancer diagnosis and said: “I just don’t think I could have done it and to think about that happening to be an experience of those within the Deaf community often, it’s just tragic.”

Meanwhile Caroline Nokes MP, chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, drew attention to the accessibility of government information, adding: “Perhaps we could look at GOV.UK and how we can make sure that the information, of which there is an enormous amount, […] could have BSL overlaid on it.”

In a contribution referencing Deaf access to the NHS, Lilian Greenwood MP – chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Deafness, said: “A video relay service to contact the NHS would have allowed BSL users to speak to health professionals remotely through a video call with a registered BSL interpreter, but rather than commissioning a national service, the NHS failed to make provision.

“My hope is that [the guidance in the Bill is] designed and informed by lived experience [and] will provide both NHS England, local health commissioners and providers with the obligation they need to provide such a service.”

The work of EastEnders actress and Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose Ayling-Ellis was also referenced in the debate, with Marco Longhi MP saying: “If her dancing skills alone didn’t inspire us to try harder, her awareness raising the importance of access to British Sign Language certainly did.”

Elsewhere, Conservative MP Peter Aldous commended the work of constituents Daniel and Ann Jillings, who have campaigned for a GCSE in British Sign Language.

“But nearly three years on, we’re still waiting. It was Dan’s ambition to sit the BSL GCSE alongside his other GCSEs, but it now looks as if as if he will have left school [by then].

“This is a great Bill that will deliver so much for the deaf community […] We need to get on with it and get it on the statute book as quickly as possible,” he said.

Following the contributions from MPs across the House, the second reading was put to a vote, and passed unopposed.

It’s passed! #BSLBill #BSLActNow pic.twitter.com/zfBzJlPkjp

— Signalise (@SignaliseCoop) January 28, 2022

Commenting on its passing, David Buxton, Chair of the British Deaf Association who have led the BSL Act Now campaign, said: “Deaf people in Britain never gave up hope that their language would one day be not only recognised in law, but also protected and promoted so that Deaf people are finally able to access information and services and achieve their potential on an equal basis with their fellow hearing citizens.

“I now call upon Ministers and MPs to do everything their can to get the British Sign Language Bill to Royal Assent in this parliamentary session.”

Mark Atkinson, Chief Executive of RNID, added: “This is a momentous day for the Deaf community where we celebrate moving a massive step closer to full legal recognition for BSL.

“We are thrilled that the Bill has been approved in principle by MPs and will now move onto the next stages of the legislative process.

“The Bill includes important mechanisms which will provide government departments and public services with guidance explaining how they are required to meet the needs of BSL users. This will help ensure BSL users are fully included in society.

“We celebrate with the Deaf community today and we hope parliamentarians will now give Rosie Cooper all the support she needs to get this Bill passed into legislation and give BSL and deaf people the recognition they deserve.”

Lindsay Foster, Executive Director at sign language qualifications body Signature, said it is “a great day for Deaf people across the UK”.

“We are proud to have played a part in the campaign, which today has made a huge step in the right direction to breaking down communication barriers for all, which the sector has pulled together to achieve.

“We look forward to continuing working with colleagues across the sector to get this through the final stages and this along with the continued positive developments towards GCSE in BSL will make a significant difference to so many people’s lives.”

Susan Daniels of the National Deaf Children’s Society said it was “a historic day for British Sign Language users everywhere”.

“With their language now well on the way to being recognised in law, they can feel jubilant, valued and optimistic about the future.

“There are also thousands of deaf children who use sign language and they will be very excited too. It’s another big step towards a society where they’re truly included.

“What’s important now is that we keep up this momentum and have more days like this. Until every deaf child gets the support they’re entitled to and the same opportunities as everyone else, the fight will be far from over.”

Marcus Hawthorn, Chief Executive of NRCPD – which regulates British Sign Language interpreters – added: “Today was a momentous step forward towards getting BSL recognised in law and establishing the advisory council to advise government on promoting BSL.

“All credit to Rosie Cooper MP and David Buxton leading the campaign. The debate today widely recognised the additional provision required for quality BSL interpreting and translation across all public services, something that registered interpreters and translators, and Deaf clients, will all value and NRCPD is committed to.

“There is still much work to do and NRCPD will continue to support the Bill through Parliament within the #BSLActNow Campaign, and in due course the work of the advisory council.

“Ultimately, we hope, this Bill will go a long way towards total inclusion for Deaf people.”

On her Bill passing the latest stage in the Commons, Rosie Cooper MP said she is “delighted” it has “passed this huge hurdle”.

“Deaf people have been waiting for 230 years for the legal recognition of BSL, and that goal is now in sight.

“I am glad the Government have agreed to support this Bill, which I hope will allow it safe passage to be made into law.”

The Bill will now be examined line-by-line by a group of MPs, who may suggest amendments when reporting back to the House in another debate.

Liam O’Dell’s full thread of live coverage of the Commons proceedings can be found on Twitter.

Photo: ParliamentLive.tv

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is an award-winning Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.