Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to set National Minimum Standards for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing including a requirement for all taxi and private hire vehicle drivers to undertake disability equality training.

Disability awareness and equality training can provide taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers with the skills, knowledge and confidence to give disabled passengers the assistance they need. I encourage all licensing authorities to use their existing powers to require drivers to undertaken this in advance of its inclusion in national minimum standards in licensing.

As stated in the Government response to the report by the Chair of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing, we will bring forward legislation when Parliamentary time allows.