British Sign Language 5-year plan: Scotland Office (English and BSL versions)
Published 21 July 2025
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/british-sign-language-5-year-plan-scotland-office/british-sign-language-5-year-plan-scotland-office-english-and-bsl-versions
BSL version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvWuDmHpyvY
Statement of intent
The Scotland Office has created this statement of intent to highlight its role and aims to use British Sign Language (BSL) in its communications.
The Scotland Office recognises the importance of the BSL Act and the need for inclusivity in government communications. Over the next 5 years we will seek opportunities to integrate BSL into our communications where possible and appropriate.
The nature of the work of the office will limit the range of occasions where the use of BSL will be beneficial. Unlike departments that deliver direct services to the public, such as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), we have relatively few opportunities for direct communication.
However we will build on our first steps of producing content that celebrates aspects of the deaf community in Scotland and seek out further proactive case studies to highlight.
We will also use our social media channels to promote and amplify relevant content using BSL that is created by other government departments.
The department aims to ensure that our communications are increasingly visible to everyone in Scotland and the UK. The Scotland Office communications department also aims to increase our efforts on inclusivity in celebration of the deaf community in Scotland.
Next steps
The Scotland Office looks to create more social media content with the use of BSL, at an appropriate time. For example, during a specific week of visibility with the intention of increasing volumes year on year.
We will use our channels to amplify content created by other government departments, and, where appropriate, the Scottish Government. Our Instagram and Facebook channels - UKGovScotland - have relatively high subscribers and will assist in getting UK government information to more people in Scotland. As the volume of content created by other departments increases we will in turn increase our sharing.
Our department will aim to include visits and engagement with the deaf community.