DEPARTMENT OF WORK AND PENSIONS POLICY ON SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS

Early day motion 1197, tabled 18 March 2014 by Alan Meale (Labour). Signed by 55 members.

That this House is concerned about the shift in the policy of the Department for Work and Pensions requiring deaf people in receipt of Access to Work funds to employ a full-time salaried support worker to enable them to bridge the gap which inhibits their abilities to participate equally in the job market; is worried that this approach will probably lead to other severe problems for deaf people in work where sign language interpreters are required; and calls on the Government immediately to reverse this strategy and instead discuss a better way forward with deaf organisations.

Signatures by party: Labour 37, Liberal Democrat 11, Scottish National Party 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Alliance 1, Green 1, Respect 1.