Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that users of guide dogs are not refused entry to public establishments.

No one should be refused access to businesses or services because they use a guide or other assistance dog. Ignorance of the law is not a defence.

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. This could include allowing the use of assistance dogs 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.