diff --git a/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md b/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 7faa7b0a..6d261dc9 100644
--- a/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -21,3 +21,4 @@ When committing your changes, please reference the issue they're resolving, so i
 * The framework is open to the world. This has a few implications:
   * Nothing in it should be confidential, private to NHSD or include any personal data.
   * All links in framework pages should be public.
+* Use [inclusive language](../inclusive-language.md): avoid terms which cause hurt and offence, including if they have historically been considered industry-standard terms.
diff --git a/inclusive-language.md b/inclusive-language.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8495a366
--- /dev/null
+++ b/inclusive-language.md
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+# Inclusive language
+
+## Context
+
+* This is part of a broader [quality framework](README.md)
+* This guidance has been co-authored with the NHS Digital [EMBRACE network](https://digital.nhs.uk/about-nhs-digital/corporate-information-and-documents/staff-networks#ethnic-minorities-broadening-racial-awareness-and-cultural-exchange-embrace-) and the [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Allies (LGBTQ+) network](https://digital.nhs.uk/about-nhs-digital/corporate-information-and-documents/staff-networks#lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-queer-and-allies-lgbtq-)
+
+## Background
+
+The language and terminology we use is important, and there are certain industry-standard terms which cause hurt and offence. Furthermore, the 'old' standard terms use arbitrary language, for example replacing White / Black with terms such as Allow / Deny or Permit / Block removes ambiguity and delivers a better experience for all users. 
+
+In line with organisations such as the [Home Office](https://hodigital.blog.gov.uk/2020/07/23/not-a-black-and-white-issue-using-racially-neutral-terms-in-technology/) and the [National Cyber Security Centre](https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/blog-post/terminology-its-not-black-and-white), we recognise that historically we have used these terms, and we will strive to avoid using these terms in the future.
+
+## Details
+
+| Context                         | Term we will avoid    | Terms we will use instead (suggested) | 
+| :------------------------------ | :-------------------- | :------------------------------------ |
+| Infrastructure (e.g. databases) | Master                | Primary                               | 
+| Infrastructure (e.g. databases) | Slave                 | Replica / Secondary / Worker / Agent  | 
+| Source control                  | Master                | Main (see [below](#renaming-the-master-branch-in-github) for GitHub notes) |
+| Security / permissions          | Whitelist             | Allowlist / Permitlist                |
+| Security / permissions          | Blacklist             | Denylist / Blocklist                  |
+
+Note: this is not intended to be an exhaustive list, and further suggestions are [very welcome](.github/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+
+## Renaming the master branch in GitHub
+
+GitHub have published [guidance](https://github.com/github/renaming) around renaming the master branch. It is worth noting that GitHub retains a history of the names of the parent branch so that existing links to your repository aren't broken - for example the parent branch in this repository has been renamed from master to main, but old links to the master address still work ([https://github.com/NHSDigital/software-engineering-quality-framework/blob/master/README.md](https://github.com/NHSDigital/software-engineering-quality-framework/blob/master/README.md)) and are automatically redirected to the main branch.
+
+In addition to the guidance from GitHub, developers will need to update local copies of a repository if the "master" branch is renamed - this example is for a renaming from master to main:
+
+```
+git branch -m master main
+git fetch origin
+git branch -u origin/main main
+git remote set-head origin -a
+```
+## Further reading
+
+* [inclusivenaming.org](https://inclusivenaming.org/word-lists/overview/)
+* [Internet Engineering Task Force](https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/draft-knodel-terminology/)
+* [Python](https://bugs.python.org/issue34605)
+* [GitHub](https://github.com/github/renaming)
+* [NCSC](https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/blog-post/terminology-its-not-black-and-white)
+
diff --git a/principles.md b/principles.md
index af7ce90b..c51daa50 100644
--- a/principles.md
+++ b/principles.md
@@ -138,6 +138,8 @@ We need to figure out how to deliver software as fast as possible.  This reduces
 
 **No blame.** When things go wrong, treat it as a learning opportunity for the team and organisation. Use blameless post mortems and Five Whys.
 
+**[Use inclusive language.](inclusive-language.md)** Avoid terms which cause hurt and offence, including if they have historically been considered industry-standard terms.
+
 ## 7. Optimise the whole
 
 **Visualise the work.** Map the value stream with a Kanban board, identify bottlenecks.