First ever parliamentary debate broadcast with sign language interpretation

The first ever parliamentary debate to be broadcast with simultaneous live interpretation in British Sign Language has started.

MPs are debating a petition that calls for British Sign Language to be made part of the national curriculum.

The petition has attracted more than 31,000 signatures and is the subject of a Westminster Hall debate led by Labour MP Liz Twist (Blaydon).

At the start of the debate a number of MPs highlighted The Silent Child, the Oscar-winning British short film which stars a six-year-old deaf girl.

In its response to the petition the Government said it had no plans to change the current national curriculum for schools.

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