Private hire vehicle operators are able to set their own fares so fuel price increases can be considered. Licensing authorities are responsible for setting taxi fare tariffs, these should pay regard to the needs of the travelling public and what it is reasonable to expect people to pay, but also to the need to give taxi drivers the ability to earn a sufficient income and so incentivise them to provide a service when it is needed.

My Rt Hon Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has just announced a temporary 12 month cut to duty on petrol and diesel of 5p per litre, representing a saving worth around £100 for the average car driver, £200 for the average van driver, and £1500 for the average haulier.

Testing is available to all public transport organisations through the National Worker Testing Programme, including public transport drivers and taxi drivers. The Government’s offer of free test kits to workplaces for staff who cannot work from home has been extended until the end of June 2021.

The Government has published safer transport guidance on the safe provision of transport services during the coronavirus pandemic. The guidance to passengers says that passengers should wear a face covering when using taxis or private hire vehicles. Taxi drivers are able to refuse carriage to passengers where it is reasonable to do so, and private hire vehicle operators can make wearing a face covering a condition of hiring. We are aware of private hire vehicle operators that are doing this and requiring the driver they work with to do the same. We are continually reviewing the guidance for safer transport in line with scientific advice.

The Secretary of State’s announcement that from 15 June face coverings will be required while using public transport in England does not cover taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs); both are already able to implement measures to protect drivers and passengers including a requirement for passengers to wear a face covering (clearly taking account of those who cannot do so, such as people with disabilities). Taxi drivers are able to refuse carriage to passengers where it is reasonable to do so, this might include those that are able but refuse to wear a face covering. PHV operators can make the wearing of face covering a condition of hiring. We are aware of PHV operators that are doing this and requiring the drivers they work with to do the same.

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 undertake it in advance of its inclusion in national minimum standards.

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.

The Ultra-Low Emission Taxi Infrastructure Competition, awarded a share of over £6m to 17 local authorities to support the installation of chargepoint infrastructure dedicated to ultra-low emission taxis and private hire vehicles. Sheffield City Council was awarded £487,000 to install 20 chargepoints, in 10 charging units, to be located at seven key locations across Sheffield city area. We expect this to support the introduction of approximately 45 ultra-low emission Hackney Carriages and around 200 ultra-low emission private hire vehicles to the city. The competition was UK wide, and we have been able to fund all projects submitted to the competition in full. We did not receive a bid covering Barnsley.

Drivers of taxis and PHVs must by law carry assistance dogs and cannot charge extra for doing so. It is therefore unacceptable that a minority of drivers continue to discriminate against owners of assistance dogs.

The Department plans to consult shortly on revised Best Practice Guidance for local licensing authorities, which will include strengthened recommendations relating to authorities’ response to alleged instances of assistance dog refusal.

In 2012, the Government amended legislation to allow local authorities to undertake enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks on all applicants for taxi and private hire vehicle driver licences. These checks will disclose convictions for sex offences and other relevant information that local authorities can take into consideration when deciding who to license. I have asked my Noble Friend, the Minister of State for Transport (Baroness Kramer) to write to all local authorities reminding them of the importance that the Government attaches to this matter.