Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the consultation on statutory guidance for the licensing of private hire vehicles, whether the Government will provide financial assistance to help vehicle owners make the changes necessary to meet the new regulations.

The draft statutory guidance proposes a number of measures for licensing authorities to consider when setting taxi and private hire vehicle policy and administration of the regime. Adoption of the recommendations made in the final statutory guidance and any assistance that might be needed for the trade in their area will be a matter for licensing authorities.