Member

If this Bill is about empowerment, these taxi amendments and the principles behind them have to be taken on. If we want—as the Government have stated and we would all agree—more disabled people in work, we need accessible, inclusive transport. Taxis are a key part of that. If we want people to be able to play a full role in their communities and to be able to do the most basic things—going to shops, going to doctors or hospital appointments—we need taxis that are inclusive. I urge the Minister to take very seriously the sentiment and specificities within my noble friend Lord Borwick’s amendment and to bring something on Report that resolves this issue and, indeed, to look across the whole transport system so that at every beat point, whether one is transferring from bus to train to taxi, it is inclusive throughout, because that is true individual and community empowerment.