Baroness Bakewell

We are clear that people should not be refused access to businesses or services because they have a guide dog. Under the Equality Act 2010, businesses and public bodies that provide goods and services to the public must not unlawfully discriminate against disabled people, including those with assistance dogs. The Act places a duty on service providers to make reasonable adjustments to improve access to premises, buildings and services.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published a range of guidance on this matter to ensure that businesses and service providers are aware of their legal responsibilities towards customers with guide dogs and are equipped with the knowledge to ensure the Equality Act 2010 is complied with.

These provide examples of best practice and information on, for example, the requirement to make reasonable adjustments, including the admittance of guide dogs to premises. This is so that disabled customers have the same access to goods and services and are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to non-disabled customers.

As set out in our 10-Year Health Plan, we will take decisive action on the obesity crisis, easing the strain on our National Health Service and creating the healthiest generation of children ever.

With measures like mandatory business reporting and targets, we are moving to a more strategic, outcomes-based approach focussing on reducing less healthy food consumption, in line with United Kingdom dietary guidelines. We are implementing restrictions on the advertising of less healthy food or drink products on television before 9:00pm and all paid-for advertising online. Volume price promotion restrictions came into force in England on 1 October 2025. This restricts volume price promotions on ‘less healthy’ food and drink in stores and their equivalent places online.

The UK dietary guidelines, as depicted in the Eatwell Guide, advise that people should eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and wholegrain or higher-fibre foods, as well as less processed meat, and food and drink that is high in sugar, calories, saturated fat, and salt. The Eatwell Guide principles are communicated through a variety of channels, including the NHS.UK website and Government social marketing campaigns. The guide also underpins Government catering guidance and standards.

The Department also has a series of websites and digital tools that support adults and families to eat better, providing guidance on healthy eating. These include the Food Scanner app, NHS weight loss plan app, email programmes and websites such as Better Health, Better Health Families, and Best Start in Life.

These issues are being considered in the round as part of the Spending Review process, which will allocate departmental budgets between FY 2026-27 and 2028-29.

In an increasingly digital age, the British Council's impact should be judged by the outcomes it delivers through its programmes and operations, rather than its physical presence.