Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to help increase the number of wheelchair accessible taxis and private hire vehicles in England.

Last year the Department consulted on updated taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) best practice guidance for licensing authorities, which provided strengthened recommendations on the provision of an inclusive service.

The guidance recommended licensing authorities ensure there are sufficient wheelchair accessible vehicles within the fleets they regulate to fulfil the demand from disabled passengers. It also recommended that licensing authorities require taxi and PHV drivers to undertake disability awareness training to give them the skills, knowledge, and confidence to provide disabled people with appropriate assistance.

The Department’s response to this consultation will be published in due course, along with a substantive version of the updated guidance document. In the meantime, we remain committed to mandating the completion of disability awareness training by taxi and PHV drivers when Parliamentary time allows.