Policy paper

Department for Culture, Media and Sport British Sign Language (BSL) 5-year plan: 1-year update, July 2026

An annual progress update on how the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has used BSL in its communications.

• From: Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Disability Unit and Office for Equality and Opportunity
• Published: 15 July 2026

This was published under the 2024 to 2026 Starmer Labour government

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

British Sign Language 5-year plan: Department for Culture, Media and Sport – 1-year update, July 2026 (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 15 July 2026