Written questions

Mental Capacity: Sign Language

Commons · Question 83909 · Tabled 21 Oct 2025 · Department of Health and Social Care · Official record

Answered 21 Nov 2025

Question

Asked by Lee Anderson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take legislative steps to ensure that BSL interpreters are provided during mental capacity assessments.

Answer

Answered by Stephen Kinnock, 21 Nov 2025

The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 already provides a legislative basis for providing interpreters, including British Sign Language interpreters, for people with specific communication needs. One of the foundational principles of the MCA is that individua...