Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the National Disability Strategy published 28 July 2021, which of his Department’s commitments in that strategy that have not been paused as a result of legal action have (a) been fully, (b) been partially and (c) not been implemented.

In January 2022, the High Court declared the National Disability Strategy (NDS) was unlawful because the UK Disability Survey, which informed it, was held to be a voluntary consultation that failed to comply with the legal requirements on public consultations.

The Department for Transport (DfT) had 20 transport accessibility commitments included in the NDS. None of these policies was paused, however to date, eight commitments have been fully implemented. Most recently, this includes the Public Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulations (AIR), which was passed by Parliament in May 2023. This requires the provision of audible and visible information on-board local bus and coach services across Great Britain. Work continues to implement the remaining 12 commitments.

DfT remain fully committed to supporting disabled people in the UK through creating more opportunities, protecting their rights and ensuring they fully benefit from, and can contribute to, every aspect of our society. To support this, DfT will be providing further details of our recent achievements to improve disabled people’s lives in the forthcoming Disability Action Plan consultation due for publication in the summer.

Ahead of this, the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work will write providing a list of these achievements and will place a copy in the House Library.