Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to ensure the new Draft Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations (2026) provides adequate and enforceable support for disabled and neurodivergent people.

The Equality and Human Rights Commissions’ (EHRC’s) updated statutory guidance - the draft Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations (the “Code”) provides guidance to service providers, associations and those exercising public functions to help them understand and comply with the Equality Act 2010. It covers all protected characteristics.

The draft Code highlights protections for disabled people in the Equality Act 2010 that expand on what was included in the 2011 Code, such as non-discrimination in relation to access to services. This will be the first time they are recognised and explained in the Code. This is an important step for disabled people’s rights. The draft Code also makes clear that the definition of mental impairment is intended to cover a wide range of impairments relating to mental functioning, including learning disabilities and conditions such as autism.

The EHRC is independent of the government and makes its own enforcement and regulation decisions. The draft Code gives further clarity on how service providers can follow the Supreme Court ruling in practice, with key explanations and worked examples.