To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department
is taking steps to seek public feedback on the adequacy of public service broadcasting
platforms for accessing digital content.
<p>The Government recognises the importance of television being accessible to all.
Under the Communications Act 2003 and Broadcasting Acts of 1990 and 1996, broadcasters,
including public service broadcasters, are already required to meet targets for access
services which includes subtitling, audio description and sign language for their
linear TV services. Statutory targets are set by Ofcom which include five and ten
year targets for licensed television services. Ofcom’s Code on Television Access Services
sets out these obligations and provides guidance and best practice on access services
for broadcasters. Ofcom assesses broadcasters to ensure they provide appropriate provision
and Ofcom carries out access research on how services meet the needs of consumers.
If a member of the public has specific concerns over a service, they can make a complaint
to Ofcom.</p><p>More than three quarters of households now use video-on-demand services,
but the provision of subtitles, signing and audio description on these services has
lagged behind broadcast TV. Following public consultation, through the Media Bill
the Government is putting in place access service requirements to ensure that mainstream
Video on Demand (VoD) services, including those of public service broadcasters, are
accessible to people with disabilities. Aligning with existing broadcasting requirements,
this will mean that 80% of a services’ total catalogue of hours must be subtitled,
10% of content audio-described, and 5% of content signed.</p>
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to close (a)
the Royal Mint Advisory Committee office in Llantrisant, Pontyclun, (b) the Valuation
Office Agency on High Street, Bangor, (c) the Valuation Office Agency at Picton Terrace,
Carmarthen, (d) the Valuation Office on Regent Street, Rexham, (e) the Valuation Office
Agency at Chepstow Road, Newport, (f) the Valuation Office Agency on High Street,
Swansea, (g) the Valuation Office Agency on Churton Road, Rhyl, (h) the Valuation
Office Agency on Castle Street, Merthyr Tydfil, (i) the Valuation Office Agency on
Ty Glas Road, Cardiff, (j) the Inland Revenue Office at 27 Westgate Street, Cardiff,
(k) the HMRC office on Stepney Street, Llanelli, (l) the HMRC office on Britannia
Terrace, Porthmadog and (m) the HMRC office on Ellice Way, Wrexham.
<ol><li><p>HM Treasury have confirmed that the Royal Mint Advisory Committee have
no plans to close the office in Llantrisant, Pontyclun.</p></li><li><p>The Valuation
Office Agency (VOA) office on High Street, Bangor is due to close in 2020-21.</p></li><li><p>The
VOA office at Picton Terrace, Carmarthen is due to close in October 2019.</p></li><li><p>Wrexham
is a long-term location for the VOA.</p></li><li><p>The VOA office on Cheapstow Road,
Newport closed in January 2017.</p></li><li><p>Swansea is a long-term location for
the VOA.</p></li><li><p>The VOA office on Churton Road, Rhyl is due to close in October
2019.</p></li><li><p>The VOA office on Castle Street, Merthyr Tydfil closed in March
2016.</p></li><li><p>The VOA is currently located on Ty Glas Road, Cardiff. They intend
to remain in Cardiff, and plan to relocate into the Cardiff Government hub, co-located
with HMRC during 2020-2021.</p></li><li><p>Whilst there was an Inland Revenue Office
at 27 Westgate Street, Cardiff, HMRC do not hold records of when this office closed.</p></li><li><p>The
HMRC office on Stepney Street, Llanelli closed in 2014-2015.</p></li><li><p>The HMRC
office on Britannia Terrace, Porthmadog closed in May 2018.</p></li><li><p>HMRC will
continue to occupy the office on Ellice Way, Wrexham until 2020-2021.</p><p> </p><p>The
VOA’s estates programme aligns to the wider Government Estate Strategy, and in the
future VOA offices will often be based in Government Hubs, enabling closer working
with other government departments. The intention is for the VOA's estates strategy
to balance affordability, geographical coverage and allow more efficient and digital
ways of working. As office space is reduced, the VOA will seek, where possible, to
retain people and their skills in the Agency.</p></li></ol>
