Welsh language scheme
How HMRC works to treat the Welsh and English languages equally when providing public services in Wales.
To comply with the Welsh Language Act 1993, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) adopts the principle that, in the conduct of its public business and communication in Wales, it will treat the English and Welsh languages equally in appropriate circumstances and when reasonably practicable.
This scheme sets out how we intend to fulfill our commitment to its customers and was prepared under Section 21 (3) of the Act and in accordance with guidelines issued by the Welsh Language Board under Section 9 of the Act.
The scheme received the full endorsement of the Welsh Language Board on 31 March 2008.
How the Valuation Office, a group within HMRC, works to treat the Welsh and English languages equally when providing public services in Wales
To comply with the Welsh Language Act 1993 (the Act), the Valuation Office (VO) adopts the principle that it will treat the Welsh and English languages equally in the conduct of its public business and communication in Wales.
The VO’s Welsh Language Scheme, prepared under Section 21 of the Act, sets out how it intends to fulfil its commitment to customers in Wales, and was approved by the Welsh Language Commissioner on 2 November 2023. The Scheme is the primary framework governing the VO’s internal compliance with the Act.
In addition, the Scheme is applied within the legislative requirements arising from the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 and the Welsh Language Standards (No.1) Regulations 2015.
As a third-party provider of services to Welsh Government Ministers delivered under a Service Level Agreement (SLA), the VO must ensure that its service delivery, communications, and customer engagement arrangements meet the requirements of both its Welsh Language Scheme and the relevant sections of the Welsh Language Standards (No.1) Regulations 2015.
While there is ongoing consideration of aligning the Welsh Language Schemes of both HMRC and the VO, current compliance remains focused on the VO’s own scheme and SLA with Welsh Government Ministers.