Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of legislating to make it illegal for taxis and private hire vehicles to turn away guide dogs.

Sections 168 and 170 of the Equality Act 2010 already require drivers of taxis and PHVs to accept passengers accompanied by assistance dogs without charging them extra.

The Government expects drivers to comply with the law and encourages local licensing authorities to take robust action against those unwilling to do so.

Drivers convicted of a relevant offence face fines of up to £1000.