Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if the Government will raise awareness of the requirement on taxis and private hire vehicles not to refuse carriage to assistance dog owners.

Assistance dogs perform a vital role for their owners, helping them to go about their lives independently, confidently and with dignity, and it is unacceptable that a minority of taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers continue to refuse their carriage.

We plan to issue for consultation this year draft revised best practice guidance for local licensing authorities (LLAs), including strengthened recommendations on the provision of an inclusive service.

It is our intention that the guidance will encourage LLAs to ensure that taxi and PHV drivers understand their legal duty to carry assistance dogs, and that non-compliance is addressed effectively.