Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to tackle the use of (a) taxis and (b) private hire vehicles being used to transport victims of child sexual exploitation.

The Department for Transport has consulted on draft statutory guidance to be issued to taxi and private hire vehicle licensing authorities on how their extensive existing powers should be used to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm when using these services.

The consultation closed on 22 April and the responses are now being analysed.