Oral Answers to Questions

Noah Law Excerpts

Wednesday 11th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Simon Lightwood]

The EHRC will keep the impact of its guidance under review. The code is clear that trans people should not be left without facilities to use. Where single-sex services are provided, service providers should consider alternative options, such as gender-neutral or individual self-contained facilities, to ensure that trans people are included. We expect service providers to take proportionate approaches that protect safety and privacy for everyone.

[Noah Law (St Austell and Newquay) (Lab)]

5. What steps she is taking to help disabled people with the cost of transport.

[The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)]

The Government are committed to travel being accessible to all. The English national concessionary travel scheme, for example, provides free off-peak bus travel throughout England for eligible older and disabled people. From 1 April, disabled passholders will be able to travel free of charge, at any time of day, across England.

[Noah Law]

I welcome the recent revision to the way the Motability changes are set to be delivered, which will ensure that people can apply for a mileage allowance if they are making journeys for healthcare, education, employment or other essential needs. There is also an automatic increase of up to 3,000 miles for rural users, which will go some way towards reducing the otherwise unfair impact of the changes on those living in rural areas. I am grateful for the representations of Labour Rural Research Group colleagues on this issue, and I am grateful to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for his nuanced approach, but what further steps are Ministers taking to support disabled travellers in rural areas?

[Sir Stephen Timms]

My hon. Friend makes a very important point, and I join him in welcoming the announcement by Motability, particularly to help drivers in rural areas. He will have heard what I said about the extension of the time at which the free bus pass can be used, starting from 1 April. Let me also point him to the fact that the Department for Transport is providing £10.5 million in 2026-27, including an additional £1.9 million this year, to support mobility centres around the country, which help disabled drivers, including those in rural areas, to stay mobile.