Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department provides the BBC with ring-fenced funding for the provision of British Sign Language interpreters.

The BBC is operationally and editorially independent from the Government and spending decisions of the BBC are a matter for them.

As part of a digitally inclusive society, the Government believes that television content should be accessible for all UK audiences. As the independent broadcast regulator, Ofcom is responsible for holding broadcasters to account for the delivery of television access services which includes the provision of signing. 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 also provides further guidance that broadcasters should regularly monitor the quality of their access services, and ensure that scheduled access services are being provided correctly. This guidance must be observed by the BBC.

The BBC has reported on its Access Services in its 2021/22 Annual Report.