A Bill to require the appropriate regulatory authority of on-demand audiovisual programme services to draw up a Code relating to the provision of subtitles, signing and audio-description for persons with disabilities affecting their hearing or their sight or both; to require the appropriate regulatory authority to consult before issuing any such Code; to make provision for minimum requirements to be included in the Code; to require that on-demand programme services providers observe the requirements of the Code; to provide for regular consultation about and review of the minimum requirements; and for connected purposes.
The Bill would require the regulator responsible for on-demand audiovisual services to create a Code setting out how subtitles, sign language, and audio-description should be provided for people with hearing or sight disabilities. Providers would have to follow the Code, which includes minimum accessibility standards, and these standards would be reviewed regularly after consultation before the Code is issued.
The Bill is currently at the second reading stage in the House of Commons and has not yet advanced to Committee or further stages. It is sponsored by Lilian Greenwood (Labour, Co-op).
Generated 21 February 2026
The 2015-16 session of Parliament has ended and this Bill will make no further progress.
This Bill was presented to Parliament through the ballot procedure on 24 June 2015. This is known as the first reading and there was no debate on the Bill at this stage.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
