Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Helen Hayes (Labour) on Monday, 19 February 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 22 February 2024 (named day). It was answered by Jacob Young (Conservative) on Thursday, 22 February 2024 on behalf of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Private Rented Housing: Older People

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to ensure that digitally excluded older people can access the Government Property Portal.

Answer

The Property Portal is being designed in line with the Government’s Digital Service Standard. One of these Standards is to ‘Make sure that everyone can use the service’ including disabled people, people who do not have access to the internet or lack the skills or confidence to use it. We also intend for the Property Portal to have offline routes available to all users. To support this, the next phase of digital development of the Property Portal will include ongoing accessibility testing with representatives from all user groups.

My officials have recently met with Disability Rights UK and Independent Age to discuss accessibility and the Property Portal and have reassured them of the intent to follow the Service Standard and provide an offline route for users.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
14647
Session
2023-24
Subjects
Access Databases Internet Older people Private rented housing
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk