Last December we marked the international day of disabled people's rights, and I made a statement then, highlighting how the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on disabled people, which has exasperated existing inequalities. This debate goes beyond that, and before the pandemic, in terms of policy actions that we want to take together.

I will say, in terms of the pandemic, there's no doubt that deaf people have been adversely affected by the pandemic, having to face COVID-19-related restrictions that have limited everyday use of BSL, and this has been acknowledged tonight, hasn't it, Mark, in terms of not being able to use BSL for this particular debate? But I'm really glad that it's going to be used following the debate.

In terms of our disability equality forum, which I chair: meeting very frequently during the course of the pandemic; trying to respond appropriately to the matters affecting disabled people as well; and meeting with the representatives from organisations that support deaf people. Deaf people themselves, crucially, are part of that forum. Some are also members of the steering group, which you brought forward in your questions to me this afternoon, Mark, which developed the report 'Locked Out: Liberating disabled people's lives and rights in Wales beyond Covid-19', which we commissioned as part of the forum's work, and it does focus, that report, on the stark inequities that disabled people face, but also highlights the barriers that affect deaf people and the use of BSL. We've got to acknowledge, alongside the use of BSL, of course, the impact this would have in relation to lip speakers and lip readers. It's a very sobering report. I'm glad you also brought it to the attention of other Senedd Members today and in this debate.

We have the disability rights taskforce, and they will—. Obviously, this debate, I'm sure, will be important evidence to feed into that, because it's going to take forward the recommendations of the report—the taskforce—and it does contain findings and recommendations in relation to the experiences of deaf people through the course of the pandemic.

Last year we did, as a Welsh Government, commission the British Deaf Association to undertake a BSL audit report. This has been acknowledged tonight. The report's findings and recommendations, which, clearly, I'll be sharing with you, will also provide a very useful framework in terms of responding as well to the 'Locked out' report, the specific support we need for deaf people, which we can build into the work programme of the disability rights taskforce. I've mentioned it's had its inaugural meeting. It's made up of people and organisations with lived experience, expertise and capacity to leave a long-lasting change from across Wales.

We would look to translate research reports into practical and sustainable actions, improving outcomes, changing things for the better for disabled and deaf people across Wales. Of course, this is all based and underpinned by the social model of disability, recognising that society's values, behaviours, structures, social and economic policies and built environments—they disable people, and the 'Locked out' report has laid this work bare in terms of the need to ensure long-term change.

BSL is an essential means of communication with deaf people that enables effective social inclusion and access to services. In 2004 the Welsh Government formally recognised BSL as a language in its own right. We recognise the importance of accessible communications. We're the first Government in the UK to ensure our COVID-19 press conferences include the presence of a BSL interpreter.

The accessible communications group was also established to overcome barriers and improve access to information, and that's been invaluable. We need much more to be done to co-ordinate an approach to promotion of support for BSL. We're committed to doing this, we're committed to the development of a BSL charter, and once the audit process is finalised, we anticipate signing up to the British Deaf Association's BSL charter. This would allow us to lead by example, and hopefully the Commission can come alongside Welsh Government in terms of signing up to this.

I want to just also say that we do recognise the mental health delivery, the all-Wales deaf mental health and well-being group, and recognise the report that Mark Isherwood has highlighted tonight, entitled 'Deaf People Wales: Hidden Inequality'. I have asked officials to consider the findings as part of the work towards the implementation of 'Together for Mental Health', and the framework of action for Wales, the integrated framework of care and support for people who are deaf or living with hearing loss. We have to mainstream this clearly into health and social care, and not just health and social care but across Welsh Government in terms of access to housing, transport, education—across the board.

There is a lot more that I could say tonight in terms of how we're moving this forward, but I would say the framework of action for 2017-20, the integrated framework of care and support for people who are deaf or living with hearing loss, has been extended to 2023. This is going to steer—not just guide but steer—the outcomes of provision in terms of care and support across Wales. And we work closely, particularly with health boards, to ensure communication of information on health needs for people with a sensory loss are being met in line with the Equality Act 2010, as set out in the all-Wales standards. 

So, can I just finally say we're committed as a Welsh Government to the advancement and strengthening of equality and human rights for people in Wales? I welcome the opportunity to debate today the inequalities faced by deaf people. We've heard what is under way to address these and how we can build on what's working, what more needs to be done to remove barriers that society puts in place, and we're also pleased that there's evidently a strong commitment here cross-party to tackle disability discrimination. As there is with all inequalities, it takes collective commitment and the energy of all leaders and communities across Wales to ensure sustained improvements and better outcomes for all the citizens of Wales. Diolch yn fawr i chi i gyd. Thank you to you all.