Transport minister, Nusrat Ghani, is considering giving bus drivers extra powers, to help ensure that wheelchair spaces on buses are primarily available to disabled passengers. This follows the Supreme Court judgement in the case brought against FirstGroup, when a passenger with a pushchair refused the driver's request to move out of the wheelchair space, leaving wheelchair user and access campaigner Doug Paulley unable to get on the bus.
You can read the written statement to Parliament here.
Two parliamentary committees – Work & Pensions and Treasury – have said that further investigation of Motability is required, following evidence submitted last week about the finances and management of both the charity and the company which provides adapted vehicles on lease to disabled people.
They have requested more information from the organisations by the end of this week. I will keep you posted.
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