Transparency data

BSL Advisory Board meeting summary: 10 September 2025 (including BSL version)

Updated 3 November 2025

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

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British Sign Language (BSL) version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY9KgC2SXE0

Attendees 

  • Minister for Social Security and Disability, Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP

BSL Advisory Board

  • Craig Crowley MBE FRSA, Co-chair of BSL Advisory Board
  • Alex Gowlland, Deputy Director of Disability Unit (DU), Cabinet Office, Co-chair
  • Jo Atkinson
  • Teri Devine
  • Catherine Drew
  • Abigail Gorman
  • Ahmed Mudawi
  • Richard Platt
  • Kate Reed 
  • Sylvia Simmonds
  • Sam Stocken
  • Mangai Sutharsan
  • Martin Thacker 

Other attendees 

  • Tabitha Jay, director in the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
  • 2 civil servants representing the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) 
  • 5 civil servants representing the Disability Unit (DU)

Apologies

  • Vicki Ashmore
  • Zoe Fudge Ajadi
  • Gaye Hampton
  • Richard MacQueen
  • Erin McCluskey

Summary of discussion

Welcome and introductions

Co-chairs welcomed the attendees and explained that the Home Office and Minister Kinnock were no longer able to attend. Alex Gowlland explained that board recruitment is ongoing. A representative of DU gave an update on the Departmental BSL 5-year action plans that were published in July.

Derbyshire has one of the largest Deaf communities in England, which has led to the development of innovative access measures. These include:

  • the use of SignVideo by all officers, described as having an ‘interpreter in their pocket’
  • the delivery of police presentations in schools that are accessible to Deaf students
  • the piloting of Video Relay Services (VRS) and Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) for 101 calls

In discussion, the board expressed strong support for extending Derbyshire’s model nationally to promote consistency across the UK. They agreed that Deaf awareness training for officers is essential, though securing funding continues to be a barrier. Members also recognised that while the PLOD scheme has been valuable, more work needs to be done to standardise and nationalise this scheme to support a potential national rollout.  

Subgroup updates

Health and social care subgroup

Jo Atkinson presented 3 main recommendations from the subgroup’s report, which will be published later in the autumn.  

The minister emphasised the importance of removing barriers more broadly to increase employment and improve equality. He welcomed the subgroup’s report as an important contribution to improving health and social care.

Education subgroup

The subgroup provided an update on their meeting with the Department for Education’s Minister for Early Education. 

Employment subgroup

The subgroup raised concerns about Deaf employment rates, which currently stand at around 30%. Members also shared evidence highlighting the strong economic benefits of investing in BSL provision, particularly within the NHS. 

In response, the minister acknowledged these concerns and noted the ongoing reforms to Access to Work, while stressing the government’s commitment to reducing the disability employment gap.

Discussion with DWP

Disability Advisory Panel

A DWP representative presented on the establishment of the new Disability Advisory Panel, which is intended to embed lived experience into DWP policy. 

The Panel will be chaired by Zara Todd and recruitment of members is currently underway, with applications being made available in BSL, Easy Read, and Braille. 

The Panel is initially designed to run for 12 months. 

In discussion, the board emphasised the importance of:

  • avoiding duplication with the BSL Advisory Board
  • ensuring accessibility and representation
  • drawing on lessons from devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales

PIP Assessment Review

A DWP representative updated the board on the preparatory phase of the PIP Assessment Review (Timms Review), highlighting a strong commitment to co-production, transparency, and accessibility. 

The recruitment of co-chairs and panel members is currently underway. 

Any other business

The board discussed the next meeting date. The co-chairs thanked the board members for their contributions and the meeting concluded.

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