Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nusrat Ghani and Richard Burden

Thursday 18th July 2019 Commons Chamber

[Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield) (Lab)]

Does the Secretary of State share my concern that in response to a survey by the Guide Dogs charity, 42% of assistance dog owners reported being refused access to taxis and minicabs because of their dogs. What is he going to do in practice to ensure that all drivers of taxis and minicabs receive disability equality training?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

I share the hon. Gentleman’s frustration, but that is actually already illegal. I am working with a number of charities, including Guide Dogs, to ensure they can complain effectively and that the local authorities handing out licences are far more diligent about who those licences go to. As I mentioned earlier, once we are able to put together a national database, it will be a lot easier to stop people who have already broken the law from getting licences.