Guide Dogs

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:04 pm on 22 November 2022.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 2:04, 22 November 2022

Thank you. It's extremely disappointing to hear what you've just said, Jack Sargeant. That situation is completely unacceptable and, as I've already indicated, it's unlawful. People with assistance dogs are lawfully entitled to access retail premises—you mentioned a hotel, also—and should not be refused entry to premises. We are working with the Welsh Retail Consortium and the supermarket groups to raise awareness of the issue. I meet regularly with the supermarkets, and I'll be certainly very happy to take the issue up. What we really want to do—and I know the Minister for Social Justice is passionate about this—is raise awareness of the impact that people's actions have on such people who have these very difficult conditions and really need their guide dog to assist them with their everyday lives. We also work with the Equality and Human Rights Commission to review compliance with the guidance and the regulations. I will, certainly, from my part, do that with the supermarkets, and I'm sure the Minister for Social Justice will take that up too. We also have the disability rights taskforce and the Welsh Government work to advance the rights of people with disabilities via this taskforce.