Although there is no statutory requirement for Taxi and PHV drivers to undertake disability awareness training, the Department for Transport\u2019s best practice guidance on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing in England and Wales recommends local licensing authorities work with operators, drivers and trade bodies in their area to improve drivers\u2019 awareness of the needs of disabled people. This includes encouraging their drivers to undertake disability awareness training. A separate licensing regime regulates taxi and private hire vehicles in Scotland and the Scottish Government publishes its own Best Practice guidance.<\/p>
<\/strong><\/p> The Law Commission recently undertook a wide ranging review of taxi and private hire legislation in England and Wales and published their final report and a draft Bill on 23 May 2014, in which it recommended mandatory disability awareness training for drivers. The Government will respond to the report shortly.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3996", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Jones"}
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, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Jones"}
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, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Taxis: Disability"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that taxi and private hire drivers undergo disability awareness training.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4062", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Richmond Park"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Zac Goldsmith"}
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, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/349029", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/349029/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Department for Transport is committed to ensuring that everyone has the same access to transport services and opportunities to travel.<\/p> <\/p> Both taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) are a particularly valuable form of transport for people with disabilities. I would strongly encourage all Taxi and PHV drivers to assist wheelchair users, wherever possible, and would also strongly discourage the practice of making additional charges to assist a disabled passenger. I would remind all Taxi and PHV operators of their obligations under the Equality Act 2010.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3996", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Jones"}
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, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Taxis: Disability"}
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, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on (a) assistance for wheelchair users by taxis and private hire vehicles and (b) the charging of additional costs by taxi and hire vehicle owners; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4062", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"}
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, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Zac Goldsmith"}
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, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/349030", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/349030/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government intends to announce the commencement of the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy as soon as is practicable.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1562", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Robert Goodwill"}
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, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Cycling: Capital Investment"}
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, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will lay before the House a commencement order to allow the publication of a funded Cycling and Investment Strategy under the Infrastructure Act 2015.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4062", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"}
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, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Zac Goldsmith"}
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, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/349031", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/349031/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " By the end of this year the Access for All programme, launched in 2006, will have provided step free routes to more than 150 stations and smaller scale improvements at over 1,100. A further £160m has been allocated to extend the programme until 2019 and the 68 stations to benefit from this were announced last year.<\/p> <\/p> This is in addition to access improvements delivered by other major projects or the industry itself, which must meet UK and EU standards for accessibility.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3974", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Claire Perry"}
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, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-15T14:14:48.877Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Railway Stations: Disability"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps are being taken to improve access for disabled people at National Rail stations.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4062", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"}
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