Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Customers with a Disability: Reasonable Adjustments

Wednesday 26 April 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Equality Act 2010 requires businesses to make reasonable adjustments to prevent substantial disadvantages for disabled individuals.
  • The Minister offers to meet to discuss further actions for Maggie's case involving a high street bank.
  • The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work is reviewing how things can be streamlined regarding Access to Work.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from the need to ensure that businesses comply with the Equality Act 2010 in making reasonable adjustments for disabled people.

Question

What steps is the Government taking to help ensure companies make reasonable adjustments for customers with a disability?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

The Equality Act 2010 requires businesses and service providers to make reasonable adjustments to improve disabled people's access to goods and services. The Minister emphasizes the importance of preventing substantial disadvantages for disabled individuals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or enforcement mechanisms are not detailed, only a reference to existing legislation.

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Q2 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Employment Standards & Ethics
Context

A constituent, Maggie, with hearing loss experienced a lack of reasonable adjustment from a high street bank. This highlights the need to ensure compliance with the Equality Act 2010.

Question

Maggie went to a well-known high street branch and explained her inability to use the phone due to her hearing loss but was offered an alternative service far away. Can the Minister explain what actions are being taken by the Government to ensure banks and big businesses make reasonable adjustments for those with hearing loss?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

Under indirect discrimination, if a service provider's rules have disproportionate adverse effects on particular groups, it would be discriminatory. The Minister offers to meet to discuss further actions for Maggie's case.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific measures or enforcement details are provided, only an offer to discuss.

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Q3 Oliver Heald Con
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

There have been complaints about the generalist nature of those assessing Access to Work grants, which may not fully understand specific disabilities.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that reasonable adjustments go hand in hand with Access to Work? Does he also believe it is important for assessors to have specific knowledge of an individual's condition?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work is reviewing how things can be streamlined. The Minister offers to update my right hon. Friend with further details later.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific plans or timelines are provided; only a statement of review without concrete steps.

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