Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on taxis and private hire vehicles making additional charges for helping wheelchair users; and if he will make a statement.

The Department for Transport is committed to ensuring that everyone has the same access to transport services and opportunities to travel.

Both taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) are a particularly valuable form of transport for people with disabilities and I would therefore strongly discourage the practice of making additional charges to assist a disabled passenger. I would remind all Taxi and PHV operators of their obligations under the Equality Act 2010.