Labour MP Jen Craft has announced the formation of the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Sign Language (BSL), the first of its kind within any of the UK’s parliaments, aiming to “bring the voice of BSL signers directly to Westminster.” This groundbreaking announcement was made on 12 March 2025, marking a significant step forward for the UK’s deaf community.
The newly established APPG is set to campaign vigorously for families to learn sign language as a means to communicate effectively with their deaf children. This initiative is directly linked to the 'BSL in Our Hands' campaign launched by the British Deaf Association (BDA), which will serve as the group’s secretariat.
Craft articulated the motivations behind creating the APPG, expressing her commitment to support those with hearing impairments. “My husband and I use British Sign Language at home as part of our toolkit to help her communicate, confident in the evidence,” she remarked, emphasizing the importance of BSL for developing language and communication skills. "I am thrilled to chair the new All Party Group and want it to be a strong force for change in government policy.”
The APPG has ambitious plans, including addressing various pressing concerns affecting the deaf community, such as the future of deaf education. To commemorate Sign Language Week, the group intends to host a debate at Westminster Hall on 20 March 2025, highlighting the significance of BSL and its integration within UK society.
Katie Lam, Conservative MP for Weald of Kent and currently acting as the APPG’s treasurer, shared her enthusiasm as well, stating, “MPs and peers of all parties have committed to working together to promote British Sign Language as an indigenous language of the UK and show people a bit of BSL in Parliament.” Lam underscored the bipartisan effort to support the UK’s deaf community and expand communication access.
The launch of the APPG follows the passage of the British Sign Language Act, which received royal assent in April 2022, after extensive campaigns led by former Labour MP Rosie Cooper and organizations like the BDA. This legislative framework has formally recognized BSL’s status, paving the way for more inclusive policies and practices.
Rebecca Mansell, Chief Executive of the BDA, expressed pride and optimism about the group’s formation, stating, “Deaf people want to make a full and active contribution to society, to shape the policies and services... and to remove the barriers to our contributing to a stronger and more inclusive United Kingdom.” She believes the APPG is “a major step on the road to full equality of opportunity” for the deaf population.
The creation of the APPG on British Sign Language is not just another parliamentary group; it’s reflective of the growing recognition of the rights and needs of deaf individuals within the UK. This initiative will work alongside the existing APPG on Deafness, which is chaired by Derby North MP Catherine Atkinson, integrating efforts to raise awareness and improve conditions for the deaf and hard-of-hearing sectors.
By bringing these issues to the forefront of parliamentary discussions, the APPG aims to promote awareness, education, and advocacy surrounding BSL and the deaf community's needs and aspirations. This new chapter signals to the deaf community and allies alike — their voices matter, and they will be heard.
Craft’s leadership, paired with enthusiastic participation from diverse political affiliations, signals hope for effective change and enhanced visibility for British Sign Language. There's excitement around how these efforts will shape future policies and practices, enabling not just linguistic engagement but also fostering social cohesion within our communities.