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<p>Taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) services must be accessible to those who rely
upon them, and disability awareness training can be effective in equipping drivers
with the skills and knowledge to provide all passengers with the assistance they require.
The Department is currently considering the responses to the consultation on the draft
Accessibility Action Plan which will inform the updated Best Practice Guidance for
taxi and PHV licensing authorities.</p><p> </p><p>It is the Department’s expectation
that the guidance will include a recommendation that authorities should use their
existing powers to require prospective drivers to complete disability awareness and
equality training. There are however no existing powers to give this guidance statutory
status.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, my Right Honourable Friend, the Minister of State
for Transport, announced in a Westminster Hall debate that he would be setting up
a working group to consider current issues concerning taxi and PHV licensing such
as this and it will be reporting its findings in the New Year.</p><p> </p>
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