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Written Question
Department of Health and Social Care: Sign Language
Thursday 22nd January 2026

Asked by: Jen Craft (Labour - Thurrock)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer of 24 November 2025 to question 91186, what steps he will take to engage with BSL signers to assess the suitability of products which use Artificial Intelligence approaches to British Sign Language.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is aware of a number of emerging products that use artificial intelligence (AI) to support translation into British Sign Language (BSL). While the Department and its arm’s‑length bodies are not currently developing or deploying such tools, any AI‑enabled BSL product proposed for use in the National Health Service would be subject to the medical device regulatory framework and will be assessed to determine whether it falls with the scope of regulations. These regulations are underpinned by rigorous standards established by bodies including the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulation Agency, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the Health Research Authority, and the Care Quality Commission. These agencies ensure that AI technologies are safe, effective, and cost-effective within healthcare settings.

For any BSL products that use AI, meaningful engagement with BSL signers and Deaf communities is critical. This includes ensuring that proposed products provide a high quality service, meet communication needs identified through the Accessible Information Standard, and reflect the lived experience of BSL users. NHS England continues to work with stakeholders, including BSL users, providers, and representative groups, to improve accessibility and to understand where emerging technologies may safely and effectively support communication.

Division Vote (Commons)
21 Jan 2026 - Northern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and Reconciliation - View Vote Context
Jen Craft (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 299 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 373 Noes - 106
Division Vote (Commons)
21 Jan 2026 - National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill - View Vote Context
Jen Craft (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 318 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 191 Noes - 326
Division Vote (Commons)
21 Jan 2026 - National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill - View Vote Context
Jen Craft (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 307 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 316 Noes - 194
Division Vote (Commons)
21 Jan 2026 - National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill - View Vote Context
Jen Craft (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 310 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 195 Noes - 317
Division Vote (Commons)
20 Jan 2026 - Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill - View Vote Context
Jen Craft (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 331 Labour Aye votes vs 2 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 344 Noes - 182
Division Vote (Commons)
20 Jan 2026 - Sentencing Bill - View Vote Context
Jen Craft (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 312 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 319 Noes - 127
Division Vote (Commons)
20 Jan 2026 - Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill - View Vote Context
Jen Craft (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 331 Labour Aye votes vs 2 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 347 Noes - 184
Division Vote (Commons)
20 Jan 2026 - Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill - View Vote Context
Jen Craft (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 333 Labour Aye votes vs 3 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 347 Noes - 185
Division Vote (Commons)
14 Jan 2026 - Public Order - View Vote Context
Jen Craft (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 295 Labour Aye votes vs 26 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 301 Noes - 110