Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his department plans to take to offer disability training to private hire drivers.

Taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) provide a vital service for many disabled people. However, as of March 2018, only 38% of licensing authorities required drivers to complete disability awareness and equality training; I would urge the remainder to use their existing licensing powers to ensure that all taxi and PHV drivers have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide every passenger with the assistance they require.

Ministers are considering the recommendations made in the report of the Chair of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing, including those intended to improve accessibility. A Government response will be issued in due course.