Are deaf people in the UK going to lose their sign language interpreting services?

From Unite Union: Fears have been expressed that sign language interpreting services for the UK's 100,000 deaf population could plummet, if further privatisation takes place, Unite, the country's largest union, has warned.

Unite is concerned that downward pressure on costs and standards could mean staff with fewer - or even no - qualifications could make mistakes when a deaf person is having a vital medical procedure or on trial where a miscarriage of justice could happen landing them in prison.

The National Union of British Sign Language Interpreters (NUBSLI), a branch of Unite, wants full consultation on a new framework document being considered by the Crown Commercial Services (CCS), the government procurement department. Ideally, it would like the framework document scrapped.

A recent snapshot survey by NUBSLI said that 48 per cent of those who responded are considering leaving the profession. Of those who were considering leaving, 93 per cent were qualified and about half of those had over 10 years' experience.

NUBSLI said that the framework document will open the door for further privatisation of the service which could adversely impact on the UK's 1,100 sign language interpreters with big private companies driving out the smaller agencies which commission the interpreters.