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Policy paper

British Sign Language 5-year plan: Department for Education – 1-year update, July 2026 (English and BSL versions)

Updated 15 July 2026

This was published under the 2024 to 2026 Starmer Labour government

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

© Crown copyright 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/british-sign-language-5-year-plan-department-for-education/british-sign-language-5-year-plan-department-for-education-1-year-update-july-2026-english-and-bsl-versions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0BHRdHDYyI



Progress and impact in the last 12 months

In line with the Opportunity Mission and Plan for Change priorities, the department has been communicating significant reforms to the curriculum and to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Given the direct impact of both on the BSL community, BSL content was treated as an essential component of consultation activity, not an optional addition. 

We also consulted on reforms to the Disabled Students’ Allowance criteria for funding assistive software. This policy directly affects BSL users and required careful consideration of both timing and framing. 

In all cases, BSL materials were planned and produced to launch alongside main announcements. This put significant demands on drafting, clearance and production teams working at pace to tight deadlines. 

A live BSL interpreter stood alongside the Secretary of State at the Schools White Paper launch on 23 February 2026. This was important for stakeholders in the room and a visible signal of the inclusion at the heart of the strategy. 

Improving the accessibility and navigability of BSL video content remains a priority for the year ahead.

We have also taken the following steps to embed BSL accessibility more systematically:

  • using Government Communication Service (GCS) guidance to identify where BSL translation or bespoke content would have most impact
  • establishing a Senior Responsible Owner and appointing 2 BSL Champions
  • engaging arm’s length bodies
  • joining a cross-government working group on consistent accessibility standards

Priorities for the next 12 months

The following actions are planned for the coming year: 

  • capturing and sharing lessons from this year’s consultations
  • supporting a visit to Doncaster School for the Deaf to connect students with Deaf Civil Service role models
  • conducting a departmental BSL accessibility review to identify gaps and improve website navigation
  • deepening engagement with the BSL Advisory Board’s education sub-group to prioritise translation based on public interest and safeguarding needs
  • embedding new GCS best practice guidance once published
  • improving procurement practice for BSL translation and interpretation services to ensure consistency, quality and value for money
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