Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the Government response to the report from the House of Lords Select Committee on the Licensing Act 2003, published in November 2017, whether the Government has taken recent steps to ensure equal access to licensed premises for disabled people; what recent assessment the Government has made of trends in the level of businesses managing licensed premises that comply with the requirements in the Equality Act 2010; and if she will make a statement.

In common with all businesses and providers of services, licensed premises are required to comply with the provisions of the Equality Act 2010. This includes making reasonable adjustments for disabled customers and this duty is anticipatory, meaning that service providers must anticipate the adjustments that disabled customers may reasonably need, rather than await requests for such adjustments before acting.

In line with civil law principles, it is for individuals who feel that they have experienced discrimination - for example by a licensed premises for failing to make a reasonable adjustment - to take advice and if necessary legal action under the 2010 Act, to remedy the situation.

The Equality Hub expects all sectors, including hospitality, to comply with their legal duties and does not routinely consider the performance of individual sectors. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has powers to investigate such matters but as a body is independent of Government and makes its own decisions on prioritising its work.