Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Minister showcases UK’s disability action at UN conference in New York [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 15 June 2023.

The UK’s Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, set out his ambition to make the UK the most accessible place in the world for disabled people to live and work at a UN conference in New York.

Speaking on the first day of COSP16, the Minister addressed the high-level gathering in a major speech, outlining the UK’s plan to ensure the voices of disabled people are properly heard to help grow the economy for everyone.

The Minister hailed the UK’s commitment to disability rights and inclusion at the 16th Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP16) this week.

Addressing COSP16, Minister for Disabled People, Health & Work, Tom Pursglove MP, said:

“The global context of numerous humanitarian and economic crises, plus the continuing impact of the pandemic, means disability inclusion risks falling further down the agenda.

“The UK remains committed to championing disability rights and inclusion globally.

“Following the launch of our international Disability Inclusion and Rights Strategy last year, the UK is focussed on embedding its principles across our huge diplomatic and development network.”

The Minister took part in a series of bilateral meetings and roundtable discussions with his international counterparts from the USA, Canada, Germany, Norway and other nations at the UN’s headquarters, as part of a global agenda to strengthen international collaboration for the rights of disabled people.

In the UK, the Government is working to achieve this through a number of important reforms across government, including the forthcoming Disability Action Plan, which will be consulted on with disabled people and stakeholders later this year.

These reforms will help to deliver the Prime Minister’s priority of creating better-paid jobs and opportunities for everyone across the country.

During the conference, the Minister delivered the UK national statement to the global representatives in which he vowed to promote: “the full, active, and meaningful participation of disabled people in our work”.

He also took part in a discussion on life-changing Assistive Technology (AT), of which the UK is at the forefront thanks to the AT2030 programme run by Global Disability Innovation Hub. It develops new inclusive technologies with the potential to enhance the lives of millions of people.

At a side event co-hosted with the Canadian delegation, the Minister discussed inclusion strategies and plans to improve the social and economic inclusion of disabled people, reducing poverty and increasing accessibility.

At another side event co-hosted with German representatives, he discussed how to close the digital divide to ensure disabled people can benefit from innovation by investing in initiatives that promote digital accessibility.

Additional Information
- The full text of Minister Pursglove’s national statement can be found here: The UK will continue to promote the full, active and meaningful participation of disabled people in our work: Minister Pursglove statement at the General Assembly – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted in December 2006 and it entered into force on 3 May 2008. Article 40 of the Convention stipulates that “The States Parties shall meet regularly in a Conference of States Parties in order to consider any matter with regard to the implementation of the present Convention.”
- Since 2008, 15 sessions of the Conference of States Parties have been held at United Nations Headquarters, New York.
- The Ministerial segment of COSP is a high-level gathering of decision-makers. Ministers participate in a range of events and bilateral meetings, with the aim of strengthening international political commitment for the rights of disabled people.
- The COSP16 is being held this year in an in-person format at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This is the first fully in-person COSP since the beginning of the pandemic.
June 16, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Emergency convoy leaves UK with vital flood equipment for Ukraine [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 15 June 2023.

An emergency convoy of lorries carrying donated flood equipment, including pumps and temporary barriers has today (Thursday 15 June) left the UK for Ukraine, following the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in the Kherson region last week.

Equipment donated by the Environment Agency will offer a significant capability to pump water out of flooded areas and protect from further flooding in Southern Ukraine. Alongside, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is leading a major relief programme in the area following the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and considerable amounts of flood water causing danger to life.

Donated equipment includes three high volume pumps, six mobile pumps that can be used to pump water out of affected areas, and 15km of temporary barriers, which can be used to deflect water and protect critical infrastructure. Environment Agency high volume pumps have the capacity to remove 1750 litres per second from affected sites.

The UK government has moved quickly to bolster its support to Ukraine as it deals with severe flooding from the dam breach, which is expected to last for weeks and leave many in need of food, water and basic supplies. Flooding from the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam is having an untold impact on over 42,000 people in the Kherson area. The floods have submerged an estimated 100,000 hectares of agricultural area, important for grain and oil seed production, and vital for maintaining supplies to the global South. This compounds an already dire situation, as so much of Ukraine’s agricultural land has been mined and destroyed as part of Russia’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier this week, an additional convoy of life-saving equipment set off from Ashford in Kent, organised by the Home Office, the National Fire Chiefs’ Council and supported by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

The convoy, which left from Kent Fire and Rescue Service, included 19 rescue boats and more than 2,000 items of flood recovery equipment including helmets, life jackets, throw lines and pumps. It is expected to arrive in L’viv, Ukraine, in the coming days.

Today’s deployment follows the announcement on 10 June that the UK government is giving an extra £16million in humanitarian support as Ukraine deals with the aftermath of the destruction of the Nova Kakhova dam. This builds on our existing humanitarian support of £220 million which is allowing partners, such as the Ukraine Red Cross, to help evacuate civilians affected by the flooding.

Alongside this the UK-led Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine has already delivered two specialist rescue boats, search and rescue equipment, and trauma medicine to Kherson to assist the ongoing rescue operations by the State Emergency Services.

Environment Agency Chief Executive, John Curtin said:

The images coming from Kherson following the devastation around the Nova Kakhovka Dam are heart-breaking. We can only begin to imagine the impact on communities of this flooding. We stand ready to do whatever we can to help our Ukrainian colleagues save lives and support their recovery efforts.

The equipment we have sent includes large pumps that will have a real effect on removing flood water from affected areas and our barriers can help protect critical sites like hospitals and schools from further floods.

Environment Secretary, Thérèse Coffey said:

I am pleased we are sending pumps, boats and other equipment to help the humanitarian response to the dam destruction devastation causing flooding and driving Ukrainians out of their homes and villages.

Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire, Chris Philp said:

This donation is a testament to our ongoing support of Ukrainian services and aid organisations, which are in desperate need of equipment following the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam.

I am immensely proud that we are once again supporting the recovery efforts in Ukraine by donating a further convoy of life-saving equipment, including 19 rescue boats.

This aid package is part of the UK’s total support for Ukraine which so far totals £1.5 billion in economic and humanitarian support, which has paid for the delivery of more than 11 million medical items as well as food supplies, ambulances, and shelter kits. Additionally, we are providing military support in the form of air defence missiles and training for Ukrainian recruits and pilots.

The Prime Minister has met with President Zelenskyy in Moldova, Hiroshima and Chequers to discuss how best the UK will continue to support Ukraine against Russia’s aggression.

The UK is also set to host the Ukraine Recovery Conference later this month, which will bring together governments and industry leaders to develop a concerted multi-sector plan to help Ukraine to recover from Russia’s illegal invasion.

June 16, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Ukraine Recovery Conference will help in Ukraine’s recovery – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 June 2023.

Ambassador Holland tells the 2023 Struga Conference on the Economic and Environmental Dimension of the OSCE that the Ukraine Recovery Conference will help unlock the potential of the private sector for Ukraine’s recovery.

Mr Chair, we have heard much today about economic and environmental issues facing our region. As my Delegation colleague said at the start, its biggest security issue – Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine – also presents some of the largest economic and environmental challenges. This is why I would like to say few things on the future of Ukraine’s recovery.

Ukraine’s reconstruction needs will be immense and will require unprecedented collaboration between government, the private sector and international institutions. That is why next week, at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, we will start the process to help unlock the potential of the private sector.

The Conference will bring together governments, business leaders and civil society, mobilising the international community to help secure for Ukraine a more modern, open, and resilient economic future.

We want the Conference to result in a new business compact; new fiscal support; an announcement of plans for an EBRD capital increase to pave the way for increased investment; a framework for progress on war risk insurance; a pronouncement of Ukraine’s reform plans; a showcase of tech partnership opportunities; and a G7+ green energy initiative to support longer-term transition.

The Conference won’t be a pledging conference, but we encourage fellow States to come with offers of support, nonetheless.

The programme will comprise plenary sessions, breakout sessions, a business fair, and His Majesty the King and First Lady Zelenska will host receptions for senior heads of delegations.

We encourage States to send suitably senior political and business representation, as well as maximum business signatories to the Business Compact.

Mr Chair, Ukraine’s recovery from Russia’s war of aggression will show President Putin that his attempts to destroy Ukraine will only produce a stronger, more prosperous and more united European nation.

We look forward to welcoming delegations in London.

Thank you.

June 16, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Free prescription age frozen at 60 [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 15 June 2023.

Everyone aged 60 and over will continue to receive free prescriptions, the government has confirmed today.
- Prescriptions will continue to be free for anyone aged 60 or older
- Decision follows consultation on the upper age limit at which prescriptions are paid for
- Free prescriptions remain available for those most in need
Everyone aged 60 and over will continue to receive free prescriptions, the government has confirmed today.

The announcement comes in response to a consultation launched by the Department of Health and Social Care in 2021 looking at whether the age free prescriptions become available should be aligned with the State Pension age, which is currently 66.

Taking into account a number of factors, including current cost of living and increased medical needs due to an ageing population, the government has decided to freeze the age at 60.

Minister for Health Neil O’Brien said:

This government recognises the pressures with the cost of living caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That’s why we are providing cost of living help worth £3,300 on average per household over last year and this, among the most generous help anywhere in Europe.

It’s also why we have decided to maintain the prescription exemption age where it is. Nine out of 10 prescriptions are already free at the point of use and on top of that we also provide financial help to others on low incomes who don’t automatically get prescriptions for free.

Prescription charge exemptions will also remain in place for those aged under 16 or aged 17 and 18 but in full time education, while those in receipt of certain benefits can also receive free prescriptions.

People on a low income who do not qualify for an automatic exemption can also seek help under the NHS Low Income Scheme.

For those who do not qualify for an exemption or the NHS Low Income Scheme, prepayment certificates (PPC) are available to help with frequent prescriptions should they be required.

The annual PPC can be paid for through 10 instalments. This means people can have as many prescription items as needed for just over £2 per week.
June 16, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK leads the world in providing tech to keep us safe online [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 15 June 2023.

UK safety tech sector goes from strength to strength in most recent analysis.
- New research reveals that UK firms have 25% market share in global safety tech sector
- the sector has seen a 20% boost in earnings in the last year alone, now with 3,300 full-time employees
- the government is providing £350,000 to help safety tech start-ups scale their work in identifying child sexual abuse material
The UK’s safety tech sector, which develops solutions to keep people safe online, has seen a rapid expansion in the past year, with new analysis published today by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

The Safety Tech Sector 2023 analysis found that the UK’s 130-firm strong sector has seen a 16% increase in the number of full-time roles in safety tech and secured £64 million of investment in the last year – supporting the government’s priority to grow our economy and create new jobs.

To further support this burgeoning industry, which holds a world-leading 25% of the international safety tech market, DSIT is also announcing today that over £350,000 will be shared between three UK safety tech firms to further develop tools to identify and combat the sharing of links to child sexual abuse material online.

Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy Paul Scully MP said:

The UK’s safety tech sector is not only delivering on our priority to grow the economy and create jobs but holds the world-leading expertise needed to support our ambitions to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online – for both children and adults.

With a quarter of the world’s safety tech firms thriving in the UK, it’s a shining example of the rapid progress we are making to becoming a tech superpower by 2030.

The funding comes as the second iteration of the Department’s Safety Tech Challenge Fund which is run in partnership with the Home Office and GCHQ, and delivered by Innovate UK.

The three projects, which will run until the end of February 2024 before presenting their results to DSIT, are:
- Centre for Factories of the Future – The ‘CSAM Guard’ tool will use advanced machine learning to detect the use of modified or shortened links to share child sexual abuse material online
- Vistalworks – This firm is currently tackling the illegal trading of medicines and other products. Vistalworks will use its skills and learning to develop solutions that can identify and disrupt the sharing of child sexual abuse links
- CameraForensics – The LinkForensics project will develop a process to find the end destination for a given link, looking at its characteristics to provide a rating or confidence measure that allows appropriate action to be taken
Sector revenue has grown by 20% just in the last year, and is on track to hit £1 billion by the mid 2020s. From being able to detect and help to prevent online fraud, providing technology to conduct age assurances, the UK safety tech sector provides platforms and people with the tools they need to keep online spaces safe.

These technologies support the government’s ambitions to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online, while defending the right to free expression and securing the UK’s leadership in the fight against online harms. As part of these ambitions, the government has developed the Online Safety Bill, a world-leading piece of legislation that hold technology companies accountable for keeping their users, particularly children, safe.

Will Dury, Interim Executive Director Digital and Technologies at Innovate UK said:

Innovate UK are delighted to partner with the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology and GCHQ on this important programme. Our innovative companies have a huge part to play to ensure that the UK is kept safe online and that the most vulnerable in society are protected.

The UK is home to some of the world’s most innovative companies and with Innovate UK’s help they can create new products and services which support regulation, and allow our digital sector to benefit the economy and society.
June 16, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s war is devastating the economy of Ukraine – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 June 2023.

At the 2023 Struga Conference on the Economic and Environmental Dimension of the OSCE, Justin Addison (UK Delegation to the OSCE) says Ukraine’s economic growth has been destroyed by Russia.

Excellencies, dear colleagues,

The theme of this conference is ‘Promoting security and stability through economic growth.’ But we cannot ignore that one participating State – Ukraine – has had their economic growth destroyed because another – Russia – launched a full-scale illegal and unprovoked invasion against their sovereign neighbour.

Russia’s war has had a devastating impact on the economy and environment of Ukraine, and profound impacts for the OSCE region. As ambassador Hasani said in opening remarks, in March the World Bank estimated that the cost of rebuilding Ukraine stood at $411 billion. We have heard in this forum of the devastating consequences of the war on Ukraine’s ecosystem and the wider environment.

Last week we witnessed the appalling destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. This was an abhorrent act which, if it does prove to have been an intentional attack, would fit the pattern of behaviour by Russia during this war of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure.

Assessment of impacts are ongoing, but it is anticipated that hundreds of thousands could face water shortages and contamination, as well as interruption to electricity supplies. There is also a risk of mines dislodging and threatening lives and livelihoods. On 10 June the UK set out an additional £16 million of humanitarian support as Ukraine deals with the aftermath of the flooding.

As the international community comes together to provide economic assistance to Ukraine, we must continue our efforts to hinder Russia. The UK will introduce new measures against key sectors of the Russian economy and those in Russia and outside who are supporting or profiting from Putin’s war.

I would like to finish by drawing attention to the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London next week, which will help build a modern, resilient Ukrainian economy that strengthens the rule of law, tackles corruption and promotes reform.

Thank you.

June 16, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Councils supported with £10 million to improve traveller sites [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 15 June 2023.

Traveller sites will be improved and people in the community will be given easier access to healthcare and education, thanks to DLUHC funding allocated today.
- Traveller sites across England to be improved, and communities given better access to healthcare and education
- Refurbished sites will help to provide accommodation and reduce unauthorised sites
- Funding is being awarded to nine local authorities and 16 projects across England
Traveller sites will be improved and people in the community will be given easier access to healthcare and education, thanks to DLUHC funding allocated today.

Nine councils across England – including Kent, Lancaster, Cornwall, Swindon, and Preston – have received a share of £10million, through DLUHC’s Traveller Site Fund.

The funding is helping to improve transit sites, so that travellers have authorised places to stay, as well as better access to facilities and services such as healthcare.

Councils are also using the funding to refurbish existing transit and permanent sites to help improve living conditions for residents.

Improvements underway range from rebuilding through to new infrastructure dependent on need – including stabling for horses, improved utilities and play areas for children.

Minister for Levelling Up, Dehenna Davison MP, said:

We are supporting councils to improve travellers’ life chances and build cohesion between the settled and traveller communities.

This funding is just one of the many ways we are improving opportunities for communities across the country, as part of the Levelling Up agenda.

Preston’s Leighton Street Traveller Site has been awarded £337,220 to refurbish and improve the condition of the site, including the upgrade of electrical equipment giving the residents greater control over their energy bills and running costs of the site.

Leader of Preston City Council, Councillor Matthew Brown, said:

We are delighted to receive this much-needed funding. It means residents now have better access to energy on the site, giving them greater control, flexibility, and money saving options on their outgoing energy bills.

Investing in sites means councils can also reduce the number of unauthorised encampments in England. This reduces enforcement costs for councils and assists both councils and local police in redirecting travellers from unauthorised sites. Funding also helps support community cohesion between the settled community and travellers.

In addition to this fund, councils can already apply for a share of the £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Fund 2021-2026 for permanent and transit sites, and bricks and mortar accommodation for travellers.
June 16, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : £46 million contract awarded to support Armed Forces information access globally [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 15 June 2023.

The Ministry of Defence has signed a new Enterprise Agreement with Esri UK worth £46 million, helping UK Armed Forces personnel access the right information, in any situation, across any network and on any device.
£46 million contract awarded to provide Geographic Information Systems (GIS) globally.

Armed Forces Personnel to continue receiving the provision of live instant Geographic Information.

Enterprise Agreement sustains 25 jobs with plans to increase roles over the next three years.

The Ministry of Defence has signed a new Enterprise Agreement with Esri UK worth £46 million, helping UK Armed Forces personnel access the right information, in any situation, across any network and on any device.

Over the next three years, this contract – for the continuation and supply of Geographic Information Systems – will support the MOD’s digital transformation journey to achieve and maintain the information advantage, as well as to shorten decision-making cycles. It will sustain 25 jobs across the UK with plans to increase roles across multiple sites by 50% over that time.

As the Ministry of Defence’s Strategic Geospatial Partner, Esri UK provides users across the MOD with access to its world-leading Geographic Information Systems (GIS), ArcGIS. Offering unique capabilities and deployed on most of the Department’s networks, military personnel use ArcGIS to gain greater insights by applying contextual tools to visualise and analyse their data and then collaborate via maps, apps, dashboards, and reports.

This partnership will maintain the provision of live instant Geographic Information to British troops in remote locations around the world by providing broader and easier access to location-based technologies and services, with some of its uses including Field Operations, mapping, data science, imagery, and data collection and management.

The technology will also enable specialist users to do high-end geospatial information (GEOINT) analysis from deployed front-line units to UK based Defence Intelligence analysts.

Major General Richard Spencer, Director Delivery of Intelligence and Expeditionary Services in Defence Digital, said:

I am pleased to be able to continue to work closely with our strategic partner, Esri UK. They have a key role in assisting us in our ambition to digitally transform all aspects of our business, from corporate workflows to front line operations, to help further improve and shorten our decision-making cycles.

Victoria Cope, Defence Digital Commercial Director, Enterprise, said:

Our partnership with Esri UK delivers critical operational outcomes and will save £21 million over the next three years. This agreement forms part of our strategic approach to address digital spend and leverage our scale across the defence enterprise.

Peter Wilkinson, Managing Director at Esri UK, said:

We look forward to working with our extensive Partner network to help MOD achieve three key outcomes: building the MOD’s Location Infrastructure, with new location services and analytical capabilities; growing the reach of these capabilities across the entirety of MOD’s Enterprise; and developing a world-leading ecosystem of solutions that feed into and off of this Location Infrastructure, enabling a seamless two-way flow of information and intelligence across all their networks. This is how we will unlock the power of location to help MOD achieve and maintain Information Advantage.

The Defence Digital organisation employs around 2,400 personnel including military, civil servants, and contractors. The organisation is responsible for making sure that effective digital and information technology (D&IT) is put into the hands of the military and business front line.
June 16, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Army resumes training on Ajax [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 15 June 2023.

Units of the British Field Army have restarted training on the Ajax vehicles this week, highlighting continued progress in the programme.
- Field Army have resumed training on the Ajax vehicles
- Marks next positive step in progress on the Ajax programme
- Ajax vehicles have driven more than 6,600km on trials so far
Units of the British Field Army have restarted training on the Ajax vehicles this week, highlighting continued progress in the programme.

Focused on individual and crew training, this step will mark the restarting of British Army training on the sophisticated vehicles. Conducted in Bovington and Bulford on the initial production standard of Ajax vehicles – Capability Drop 1 – this training will enable troops to learn how to operate the armoured vehicles and use the systems integrated into them.

The training will also enable the crew to develop skills and experience with the vehicles before delivery of the later Capability Drop 3 vehicles, which will be fully deployable.

44 vehicles at Capability Drop 1 have been delivered to the British Army, while a busy production line in South Wales manufactures the Capability Drop 3 vehicles that will provide the British Army with a battle-winning edge.

Delivering a step-change in the surveillance and reconnaissance capability for the Army, with its suite of cutting-edge sensors, enhanced 40mm cannon, modular armour, and improved cross-country range and mobility, the programme will deliver 6 variants, totalling 589 vehicles that will allow the Army to operate in all weathers, 24 hours a day.

Boosting the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy, the main Ajax contracts supports a UK-wide supply chain of more than 230 UK-based companies and more than 4,000 jobs throughout the UK, including a large number in South Wales.

Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, said:

This is a significant moment for the British Army, marking a huge step forward for the Ajax Programme. The Ajax vehicles will provide a breakthrough in capability and I’m pleased to see such positive progress towards delivering a suite of battle-ready vehicles for our forces.

Visiting Bovington Camp in the south west of England – where soldiers are currently training on the Ajax vehicles – Defence Minister James Cartlidge recently met with soldiers taking part in the Reliability Growth Trials that resumed earlier this year and instructors who were about to start training the Army.

Through Reliability Growth Trials, AJAX, APOLLO, ATLAS and ARES variants have driven more than 6,600 kilometres through different terrains, completing a variety of representative battlefield tasks such as operating across a range of speeds, firing weapon systems, using the vehicles systems and communications and completing specialist tasks such as vehicle recoveries and repairs using the integrated crane.

Earlier this year, the MOD also confirmed the resumption of payments to General Dynamics for the delivery of the programme. A robust firm price contract remains for the delivery of the 589 vehicles, which will ensure that General Dynamics are incentivised to deliver against agreed outcomes.

As such, the whole programme remains within its originally approved budget level and the Department has worked collaboratively and constructively with General Dynamics to achieve this.
June 16, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : British Sign Language GCSE moves one step closer to the classroom [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 15 June 2023.

New GCSE will be the first of its kind and will teach students how to communicate through sign language.

Students are one step closer to the British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE being taught in schools, as the government launches a 12-week consultation on the content of the new qualification.

The qualification will include students being taught to communicate effectively with other signers for use in work, social and academic settings, providing them with valuable life skills welcomed by employers.

The Department for Education (DfE) has been working closely with subject experts, stakeholders and schools to develop proposed content to ensure that this new GCSE is internationally recognised and accepted in school and college performance tables. In line all qualifications, the GCSE will be knowledge-rich, diverse and as challenging as any other GCSE.

Views on the new qualification, including the language skills to be studied and the role of history, are being sought from teachers, employers and the deaf and hearing communities. The government aims to introduce this for first teaching from September 2025.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said:

It is fantastic that British Sign Language will soon be taught in schools up and down the country.

Good communication is essential both inside and outside the workplace and this historic GCSE will give students a vital life skill valued by employers.

This new qualification will break down barriers, advance equality of opportunity, and celebrate the history and rich culture of British Sign Language.

Ofqual Chief Regulator Dr Jo Saxton said:

At their best, qualifications increase opportunities and break down barriers. This GCSE in British Sign Language will do that by encouraging more people to study the language, so I’m delighted to be launching our consultation on how students should be assessed in this exciting new GCSE.

The proposals reflect our judgements about how the Department for Education’s subject content should be assessed to best allow students to demonstrate their performance in this subject. We want anyone with an interest in this new GCSE subject to tell us what they think about our proposals and whether these allow students the best opportunity to show how well they understand and can use British Sign Language.

Susan Daniels OBE, Chief Executive of the National Deaf Children’s Society, said:

We’re delighted that a GCSE in British Sign Language (BSL) is now a step closer.

BSL is a native British language used by tens of thousands of people, so it’s only fair and right that BSL users should have the opportunity to achieve a GCSE in their own, legally recognised language. This qualification will help to breakdown communication barriers between deaf and hearing people and educate more people about the deaf community and culture.

We know there are incredibly high levels of support for a BSL GCSE among both deaf and hearing students, as well as from their parents. Our recent survey also found teachers overwhelmingly believe sign language would be a useful skill for both deaf and hearing students to learn.

Tasha Ghouri, influencer and activist for the deaf community said:

As lots of you will know, being deaf is my ‘superpower’. But as someone who has had a cochlear implant since 5 years old and relies on lip-reading – going to school had its challenges.

Being included and made to feel equal means everything to me and I’ve been on a personal mission to raise awareness of the challenges facing deaf children.

That’s why I’m absolutely delighted that today, the government has announced it will soon be launching a brand new GCSE in British Sign Language which will be available to all pupils.

Ian Morgan, Chief Executive, Eduqas, said:

As one of England’s largest exam boards, Eduqas is committed to supporting the development of a new GCSE in British Sign Language (BSL); this builds on exciting work already underway in Wales to design a new GCSE BSL for WJEC students by September 2026.

Equality and inclusion matter to us, and we’re confident that this pioneering new GCSE will boost the profile of the language and play an important role in increasing the number of speakers from all communities.

We look forward to working closely with teachers, learners and subject experts to create a qualification that is engaging, relevant, and fit for the future.

Lindsay Foster, Executive Director at Signature said:

It’s great to get the public consultation out there, so that the public can see what a GCSE in BSL could look like.

We have been working towards a BSL GCSE for over 12 years now, so this feels like a milestone moment. What is important now is that people have their say on subject content and we look forward to seeing the outcome of that.

From the secondary schools we have spoken with, around 60% have told us that they would like to offer this as part of their curriculum. We really hope that over the years to come we see this in as many schools as possible.

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, said:

The British Sign Language (BSL) Act is helping make our society more accessible, opening doors to better communication for more Deaf people.

A BSL GCSE is a fantastic step in the right direction, encouraging more students to learn BSL to help increase the number of BSL users that Deaf people can speak with, making the UK an even more inclusive society.

The recently published special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and alternative provision (AP) improvement plan set out how all children and young people, including those who are deaf or have a hearing impairment, will get the support they need to succeed in their education.

British Sign Language was recognised in law as a language of Great Britain in the BSL Act (2022) and the new GCSE will be key to advancing inclusivity within education.

The study of BSL will enable students to develop ways of expressing and negotiating meaning through visual spatial language, communication and visual memory skills that will be an advantage to them for the rest of their lives.

As well as learning how to sign effectively, the GCSE will also give students an understanding of the history of sign language in the UK. This will provide a solid foundation for students’ understanding of how the language has reached its current form.

June 16, 2023