British Sign Language (BSL) fourth report, May 2025 to April 2026
A report which details what the government is doing to promote and facilitate the use of British Sign Language (BSL) in its communications with the public.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
Documents
Details
This report covers British Sign Language (BSL) usage in government communications.
The British Sign Language (BSL) Act 2022 legally recognises BSL as a language of England, Scotland and Wales, but not Northern Ireland, where equality law is devolved.
It requires the government to report on the use of BSL by the ministerial departments named in the schedule to the BSL Act, in their public communications.
This fourth report includes:
- an introduction
- context and background
- case studies of good practice
- information on what the government will do to increase the use of BSL in its communications
It also includes details about the number of BSL translations made by relevant ministerial departments during the reporting period, including:
- public announcements about policy or about changes to the law in BSL
- publications – plans, strategies, consultation documents or consultation responses in BSL
- press conferences, social media or government website use to publicise activities or policies in BSL
This report is compiled by the Disability Unit, part of the Cabinet Office.
This fourth report reports the data for the period between 1 May 2025 and 30 April 2026.
The first BSL report was published on 31 July 2023.
The second BSL report was published on 17 December 2024 and was voluntary.
The third BSL report was published on 21 July 2025.