BSL Act 2022

Also called British Sign Language Act 2022, BSL Act, BSL (Scotland) Act 2015

The Act recognised BSL as a language of England, Wales and Scotland. It did not give anyone a new right to an interpreter. Both halves matter.

What it is

The British Sign Language Act 2022 is a short Act of the UK Parliament, passed in April 2022 after a private member's bill by Rosie Cooper MP and a long campaign led by the British Deaf Association. Section 1 recognises BSL as a language of England, Wales and Scotland. Section 2 requires the Secretary of State to report periodically on what government departments have done to promote and facilitate BSL. Section 3 requires guidance on the promotion and facilitation of BSL.

Scotland already had the British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015, which goes further by requiring a national BSL plan and plans from public bodies. Northern Ireland is not covered by the 2022 Act; a Sign Language Bill covering BSL and Irish Sign Language has been long promised.

Who it can help

Deaf BSL users, in the sense that the state has formally recognised their language, that departments must now account for what they do about it, and that the status of BSL in public life has a legal footing it lacked. Campaigners describe it as a foundation rather than a finish.

It does not help a Deaf person who has just been refused an interpreter at an outpatient appointment. The Act creates no individual right and no duty on a hospital, a council or an employer. Those duties come from the Equality Act 2010, the Accessible Information Standard in England and, at work, Access to Work. A person told "the BSL Act means you must provide this" has been given a wrong argument for a right claim; use the right argument.

How it works

The Act's mechanism is reporting and guidance. Government departments report on their use of BSL in public communications, and the guidance is meant to spread good practice across public bodies. A BSL advisory board of Deaf people was set up to inform that work. Because the Act contains no enforceable duties, its practical effect depends on what departments choose to do and on the political pressure the reports create.

Contrast Scotland, where public bodies including councils, health boards and colleges must publish BSL plans and where the national plan sets targets.

Getting started

If you are Deaf and want something from a service, base the request on the Equality Act's reasonable adjustments duty and, in the NHS in England, on the Accessible Information Standard. Mention the BSL Act as context if it helps, not as the legal basis.

If you are a public body, read the guidance issued under section 3 and ask the obvious question: which of our public communications, our website, our announcements, our consultations, exist in BSL, and which should. If you are in Scotland, find your organisation's BSL plan; it is meant to be public.

Where to get help

The Act itself is on legislation.gov.uk. The British Deaf Association led the campaign and explains what comes next. RNID covers the practical rights that sit alongside it. Deaf Action and the Scottish Government cover the Scottish Act. Signature for BSL qualifications.