Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to introduce mandatory disability equality training for taxi drivers.

Taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) provide a vital service for many disabled people. However, as of March last year, 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.

This year we intend to consult on revised best practice guidance for taxi and PHV licensing authorities which will recommend that authorities require drivers to complete disability awareness and equality training and take robust action against those found to have discriminated against disabled passengers.

Ministers are also considering the recommendations made in the report of the Chair of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing, including the introduction of mandatory disability equality and awareness training. A Government response will be issued in due course.