My Lords, following the helpful debate on the associated amendments last Wednesday, it is quite useful that we now have this debate on Amendment 90, specifically on how to support people with disabilities, particularly speech and language difficulties, with practical support for communication at the point at which they are seeking help.
With the best will in the world, there is little point in the agencies that are there to support them—whether they are specialist charities or local authorities—if those who are at greatest risk do not know, cannot follow or act on, cannot understand, cannot access and cannot make use of who can help them and how. The amendments debated last week had the powerful support of the UK Says No More campaign. This amendment is no exception, because it holds the key to getting help when it is most needed.
I am afraid the predictable response from government may be to say that information is available in different languages and sign language, but I say what the specialist groups in the field say: this simply does not go far enough. A leaflet, no matter how plain the language,
would never be a substitute for the sort of help that can be provided only by a sympathetic advocate who takes the person by the hand along the pathway to safety. That is why we have given such priority to the service itself employing speech and language specialists.
We want to see any kind of communication in an easy-read format, obviously, but also made accessible on augmentation and alternative communication devices. But the idea that all problems can be solved by the written word, however plain the language—that is, of course, the first and most basic requirement—or even sign language, is simplistic and out of date.
Many people with speech and language difficulties are capable of—and even more dependent than the rest of us on—using technology, but emails, advice and all communications need to be jargon free. Where possible, signs and symbols can be used. It requires knowledge and empathy to get this right, but they are not in short supply and the Bill can benefit from them.
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Last Wednesday, in rejecting the amendments, the Minister referred both to the wide remit of the Bill and the wide brief held by the independent designate commissioner which, he argued, rendered the amendments unnecessary. However, I am not convinced. He also referred to the Government’s intention to make it clear that local authorities should consider the additional barriers that might prevent access to support. I would argue that speech and language difficulties fall precisely and squarely into that area of additional barriers and that we would want to see the Minister’s expectations realised. This will happen in the statutory guidance that is anticipated only if those extra requirements are made explicit. I know that the Minister is sympathetic to the case we are making, so I ask him for some assurances on that point, recognising that women and children, who cannot defend themselves or seek protection because they cannot ask for it, or find it, easily, can themselves be easily overlooked and denied fundamental rights and protection.
These are serious issues that affect significant numbers of people. Help can be provided through explicit statutory protections, even in guidance, and we hope that the Government will give serious thought to this.