Stop discrimination against disabled people, says Liz McInnes MP

Liz McInnes MP

Liz McInnes, MP for Heywood and Middleton, has given her support to a Guide Dogs campaign for taxi and minicab drivers to receive disability equality training when getting their licence.

Ms McInnes visited a Guide Dogs event in parliament to speak to guide dog owners who told how taxi and minicab drivers sometimes refused to carry them because they had their guide dog with them. They explained that they had missed important appointments due to the refusals and how it had left them anxious and reluctant to use taxis and minicabs again.

A Private Member’s Bill that sought to introduce the training had been brought to parliament by Labour MP for Denton and Reddish Andrew Gwynne, but filibustering by Conservative MP for South East Cornwall Sheryll Murray meant that the allotted time was taken up and a debate on Mr Gwynne’s Bill was unable to take place.

Although the Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal for a taxi or minicab driver to refuse to carry an assistance dog, Guide Dogs research found that 42% of people living with sight loss were turned away by a taxi or minicab in the last year because of their guide dog. The research also uncovered that 38% of assistance dog owners have illegally been asked to pay an extra fare for carrying their dog.

Guide Dogs is calling for disability equality training to be made a requirement for all taxi and minicab drivers to help them understand the rights and needs of disabled people and how to welcome assistance dog owners.

Ms McInnes said: "It is shameful to hear from so many people who are illegally turned away from taxis and minicabs because they travel with an assistance dog. I’m asking the Government to act to ensure all taxi and minicab drivers receive disability equality training so they are aware of the law and how to assist their disabled customers in the right way."

James White, senior campaigns manager at Guide Dogs, said: "Imagine you were turned away by a taxi driver or asked to pay an extra fare, for no good reason. Despite legal protection, this regularly happens to people living with sight loss because they are travelling with a guide dog. This discrimination is not only illegal, it knocks people’s confidence and can stop them doing everyday things that most people take for granted.

"We are very disappointed that we didn’t see a vote on the Disability Equality Training Bill. We were encouraged by the Government’s supportive comments and hope they will take action to introduce training for all taxi and minicab drivers."