Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to ensure that provisions for disability inclusive rail services are included in future rail franchise agreements to enable disabled people to travel for (a) work and (b) pleasure.

Our vision is for disabled people to have the same access to transport as everyone else, being able to travel confidently, easily and without extra cost. The Inclusive Transport Strategy, launched in July 2018, is the next step in our ambition to deliver accessible transport.

In future rail franchise competition processes we will require bidders to provide enhanced services for those with accessibility needs including enhanced disability and equality awareness training for staff.