Policy paper

British Sign Language (BSL) 5-year plan: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

This plan sets out how Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) plans to improve the use of BritishBSL Sign Language (BSL) in its communications in the next 5 years. Includes an annual progress update.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Disability Unit and Office for Equality and Opportunity
Published
21 July 2025
Last updated
15 July 2026 — See all updates

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

British Sign Language 5-year plan: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office – 1-year update, July 2026 (English and BSL versions)

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British Sign Language 5-year plan: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (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. 

EachIn ministerialJuly department2025, hasall beenministerial askeddepartments topublished produce a 5-year BSL plan, setting out how they plan to improve the use of BSL within their departments.

These arewere published alongside the third BSL report, which summarises work being done across the government to improve the use of BSL.  

Departments willhave bebeen asked to update on progress against their 5-yearprogress planevery inyear for the fourthduration BSLof report.the This5-year is due to be published in July 2026.plan.

Updates to this page

Published 21 July 2025
Last updated 15 July 2026 — Show all updates

  1. Added an update covering the first reporting year of the BSL 5-year plan (2025 to 2026).

  2. First published.

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