Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the role played by taxi and private hire vehicle services in supporting connected communities in (a) rural areas, (b) towns, and (c) cities outside London with poor public transport links.

Taxis and private hire vehicles have an important role in local transport networks across the country. In towns and cities, for example, they can provide an important "first mile-last mile" role, connecting people to transport hubs. In rural areas, where public transport and local facilities may be limited, taxis and PHVs can meet a range of transport needs. The Government expects local authorities to consider taxis and private hire vehicles as part of their local transport planning.