Written question WQ99593
- Asked by
- Mike HedgesLabour
- To be answered by
- Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 5 days
Question
Will the Cabinet Minister provide an update on early steps to implement the British Sign Language (Wales) Act 2026, and set out timeframes for meeting key duties within the Act, including a) publishing the national strategy, b) guidance for public bodies, and c) the appointment of a national adviser?
Answer
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality (Sioned Williams)
The British Sign Language (BSL) (Wales) Act requires Welsh Ministers to publish a national BSL strategy and guidance by 29th October 2027, within 18 months of the Act coming into force. Early implementation work on both is already underway, including engagement with the Welsh Government BSL Stakeholder Group. We are beginning preparatory work to support the development of statutory guidance for public bodies. The Act requires Welsh Ministers to appoint a BSL adviser and we are expecting to appoint the adviser by early 2027, so that they can support the development and implementation of duties under the Act.