Policy paper

British Sign Language (BSL) 5-year plan: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

This plan sets out how the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs plans to improve the use of BSL in its communications in the next 5 years. Includes an annual progress update.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Disability Unit and Office for Equality and Opportunity
• Published: 21 July 2025
• Last updated: 15 July 2026 — See all updates

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

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

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British Sign Language 5-year plan: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (English and BSL versions)

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Details

The BSL Act 2022 requires that named ministerial government departments must report on how they are promoting or facilitating the use of BSL in their communications with the public. 

In July 2025, all ministerial departments published a 5-year BSL plan, setting out how they plan to improve the use of BSL within their departments.

These were published alongside the third BSL report, which summarises work being done across the government to improve the use of BSL.  

Departments have been asked to update on their progress every year for the duration of the 5-year plan.

Published 21 July 2025

Last updated 15 July 2026 — Show all updates

1. 15 July 2026

   Added an update covering the first reporting year of the BSL 5-year plan (2025 to 2026).

2. 21 July 2025

   First published.