Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what legal protections and enforcement mechanisms are in place to help protect disabled passengers from experiencing discrimination when using licenced taxi cabs.

Wheelchair users travelling in taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) designated as being wheelchair accessible and assistance dog owners travelling in any taxi or PHV are protected from discriminatory treatment by Sections 165, 168 and 170 of the Equality Act 2010, which prevent non-exempt drivers from refusing them carriage or charging them more than other passengers.

Local taxi and PHV licensing authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting cases referred to them, and convicted drivers face fines of up to £1,000.

However, the Government recognises that the law is inconsistent in its application, and is supporting the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Bill introduced by Rt Hon Jeremy Wright QC MP, which seeks to extend the existing protections to any disabled person when travelling by any taxi or PHV.