Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Part One of the National Disability Strategy published 28 July 2021, was recent steps his Department has taken to encourage local authorities to require drivers to complete disability awareness training.

Effective disability awareness training can help ensure that taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers have the knowledge, skills and confidence to provide passengers with appropriate assistance, so that they can travel independently and with confidence.

The Department wants every local licensing authority to require taxi and PHV drivers to complete this training, and will make this clear in updated best practice guidance, due to be published for consultation later in the year.

The Government also remains committed to introducing mandatory disability awareness training for taxi and PHV drivers through new National Minimum Standards for licensing authorities when Parliamentary time allows.