MPs support bill to give British Sign Language legal status

MPs have backed a proposal to give British Sign Language (BSL) legal recognition and to ensure it is used more in public services. Labour MP Rosie Cooper, who put forward the private member’s bill, said making BSL a legally recognised language would send a clear message to every deaf person that “their language is equal and should be treated as equal”. British Sign Language is the 4th most commonly used language in the UK.