Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing mandatory disability equality training for licensed taxicab and minicab drivers.

Effective disability awareness and equality training can give transport staff, including taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers, the knowledge, skills and confidence to provide disabled passengers with the assistance they need.

On the 12^th February the Government responded to the report of the chair of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and PHV licensing, confirming its support for mandating disability awareness training for taxi and PHV drivers as part of National Minimum Standards, and committing to bringing forward legislation when Parliamentary time allows.