A GCSE in British Sign Language (BSL) could be introduced in the UK before the next general election following a campaign by a deaf schoolboy.

The government reversed its decision to delay any new qualifications after Daniel Jillings, 12, and his family, from Suffolk, campaigned for one to be available in time for his GCSEs.

Their lawyers argued the lack of a BSL GCSE might be “discriminatory and unlawful”, as it is his first language.

Ministers may now make an “exception”. The government had previously stated no new GCSEs would be introduced in this parliament.