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Written question asked by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 February 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 March 2025. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Thursday, 6 March 2025 on behalf of the Women and Equalities.

Business Premises: Guide Dogs

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent steps her Department has taken to help prevent unlawful access refusals into business premises for customers who require a guide dog.

Answer

The Equality Act 2010 provides strong protection to disabled people with guide dogs in a range of settings, including when accessing business premises. It is highly likely that access refusals will be unlawful and strong remedies are available to disabled people who have experienced this and wish to enforce the law.

A person who feels discriminated against may contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS), a Government-funded helpline, which is the initial point of contact for anyone with discrimination concerns. The EASS provides free bespoke advice and in-depth support to individuals with discrimination concerns. It also supports individuals to resolve issues using alternative informal dispute resolution and can advise on next steps when someone feels discriminated against. The EASS can also advise people who wish to take their complaint further, and can be contacted through their website at www.equalityadvisoryservice.com, by telephone on 0808 800 0082 or text phone on 0808 800 0084.

Additionally, the Equality and Human Rights Commission has published guidance for businesses on their obligations under the 2010 Act - “Assistance dogs, a guide for all businesses” available at: www.equalityhumanrights.com/guidance/assistance-dogs-guide-businesses-and-service-providers

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
33971
Session
2024-26
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Access Business premises Guide dogs
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk