Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham, Deptford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 June 2023 to Question 189782 on Disability, if he will state the other seven commitments in the National Disability Strategy that his Department has fully implemented.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
In addition to the Accessible Information Regulations (AIR) which were made in June 2023, the department has implemented the following seven commitments from the National Disability Strategy:
Asked by: Jon Trickett (Labour - Hemsworth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to introduce national minimum standards for taxi and private hire vehicles.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The Government remains committed to bring forward legislation to create national licensing standards for taxis and private hire vehicles, enhanced enforcement powers and a national licensing database, when parliamentary time allows.
Asked by: Julian Knight (Independent - Solihull)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps to strengthen taxi licensing conditions.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The Department published its Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards in 2020 which focus on safeguarding standards to protect the most vulnerable, but provide benefits for all passengers. The recommendations include six-monthly DBS checks at the highest level and safeguarding awareness training for all drivers. Licensing authorities should implement these high standards unless there is a compelling local reason not to.
The Department has also consulted on revised Best Practice Guidance which provides recommendations on licensing issues not covered by the Statutory Standards. The final version of the guidance will be published in due course.
Government remains committed to legislating to create national licensing standards for taxis and private hire vehicles when parliamentary time allows.
Asked by: Kenny MacAskill (Alba Party - East Lothian)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency guidance that seatbelt buckle guards should not be used on the safety of young people with additional needs and disabilities when travelling in vehicles, including taxis and mini buses.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
I recognise the importance of vulnerable young people being able to travel safely to school and elsewhere and I understand why some local authorities have chosen to use these devices to try and keep children safe. However, there are potential safety issues in the event of an emergency, and for this reason DVSA has sent two direct notices to public service vehicle operators to highlight the potential issues.
However, this is a complicated matter and the DVSA has no plans to target enforcement action against their use, instead it will support PSV operators and other transport providers and DVSA is working with industry to develop solutions to maintain the safe transport of PSV users.
Asked by: Gill Furniss (Labour - Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to address cross-border working by private hire vehicles.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
Taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) are permitted to undertake pre-booked work outside of the area in which they are licensed. PHVs are subject to a triple licensing lock; the operator fulfilling the request, the driver and vehicle must all be licensed by the same local authority. The Government is aware of the challenges out-of-area working can present to licensing authorities, but also sees the value this system provides in meeting otherwise unmet demand in areas where drivers might not be immediately available.
The Government is responsible for setting the regulatory structure within which local licensing authorities in England license the taxi and private hire vehicle trades. The Department for Transport's Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards recommends enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for taxi and private hire vehicle drivers. All licensing authorities require these checks.
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Stedman-Scott on 21 June (HL Deb col 53GC), when they will publish guidance for taxis and private hire vehicles regarding a more inclusive and accessible service; and when they will introduce legislation to make disability awareness training compulsory for taxi and private hire vehicle drivers.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
On 28 March, the Department published a consultation on updated best practice guidance for local licensing authorities, which advises that every driver should complete disability awareness training. The consultation has now closed, and officials are carefully considering the responses received in order to finalise and publish the substantive guidance document.
The Department remains committed to introducing mandatory disability awareness training for taxi and PHV drivers through new National Minimum Standards for licensing authorities when Parliamentary time allows.
Asked by: Daniel Zeichner (Labour - Cambridge)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to help ensure that guide dog owners are not unlawfully refused access to taxis and minicabs.
Answered by Wendy Morton
It is unacceptable that some taxi and PHV drivers refuse assistance dogs carriage.
In December 2020, we launched a package of disability equality training to improve the transport sector’s confidence and skills in delivering inclusive journeys for disabled passengers.
The Government also remains committed to introducing mandatory disability awareness training for taxi and PHV drivers through new National Minimum Standards for licensing authorities when Parliamentary time allows.
On 28 March we published for consultation updated best practice guidance for local licensing authorities including a strong recommendation that taxi and PHV drivers are required to complete disability awareness training.
Asked by: Mary Kelly Foy (Labour - City of Durham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2022 to Question 131066 on Bus Services and Taxis: Assistance Animals and Wheelchairs, when he plans to publish a consultation on the introduction of mandatory disability awareness for taxi and minicab drivers.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The Department for Transport remains committed to introducing mandatory disability awareness training for taxi and PHV drivers in England through new National Minimum Standards for licensing authorities when Parliamentary time allows.
The Department will be consulting later in the year on updated best practice guidance for local licensing authorities, including a stronger recommendation that every driver is required to complete disability awareness training.
Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department includes a requirement for operators to have robust policies on sexual misconduct in (a) its own policies on rail franchising agreements and (b) its advice to local authorities when letting their own public transport contracts.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The rail industry has an established work programme and sexual misconduct is a priority for British Transport Police. Our National Bus Strategy made clear that the highest safety standards will be upheld by the commissioners. Bus Service Improvement Plans should also demonstrate how Local Transport Authorities and bus operators will work together to ensure safety. In addition, taxi licensing authorities are completing reviews of their existing policies and the Department is supporting the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Bill through Parliament. The Department is working closely with the Home Office on the cross-departmental strategy to address Violence Against Women and Girls.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps is he taking to ensure that assistance dog owners are not unlawfully refused entry to taxis and mini cabs.
Answered by Wendy Morton
Effective disability awareness training can help ensure that taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to provide passengers with appropriate assistance, so that they can travel independently and with confidence. This includes ensuring that drivers understand what is expected of them when carrying assistance dogs.
The Department wants every local licensing authority to require taxi and PHV drivers to complete disability awareness training and will make this clear in updated best practice guidance, due to be published for consultation later in the year. Licensing authorities should also do all they can to challenge inaccessibility, including ensuring that drivers who discriminate face prosecution and the loss of their taxi/PHV licence.
The Government also remains committed to introducing mandatory disability awareness training for taxi and PHV drivers through new National Minimum Standards for licensing authorities when Parliamentary time allows.