THE Torfaen MP has backed a charity scheme ensuring all taxi and minicab drivers to undertake disability equality training so they understand the rights and needs of disabled passengers and feel confident to offer assistance.

The campaign, led by Guide Dogs, is supported by more than 30 organisations, including trade bodies, local government representatives and disability groups.

Nick Thomas-Symonds said: “Guide Dogs provide an invaluable and irreplaceable service to their owners, and according to the statistics that Guide Dogs has offered, this fact is not always being respected.

“I fully support the calls to introduce disability equality training within the commercial transport sector to better support the needs of their disable passengers.”

The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal for a taxi or minicab driver to refuse to take an assistance dog or to charge extra for carrying it.

However, Guide Dogs research found that 42 per cent of assistance dog owners have been turned away by a taxi or minicab in a one-year period because of their dog.

The research also uncovered that 38 per cent of assistance dog owners have been asked to pay an extra fare for carrying their dog.