<p>It is not possible to comment on the work of other Departments, however each Government Department has arrangements in place to provide interpreters for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired and who need to use its services. The Department for Work and Pensions has contracts in place with two providers to supply a face to face British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting service. Local arrangements with “off contract” suppliers can be used where they meet the required standards, offer value for money and/or where the customer has an established or trusted relationship with the interpreter.</p><p>BSL interpreters supplied by the providers (and those used off contract) are qualified to NVQ Levels 1 to 4 (or equivalent) in BSL and are registered as a member with the National Register of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind people (NRCPD) or have equivalent registration with other organisations.</p>