Taxi Licensing: Deregulation Act 2015

In the House of Commons adjournment debate on taxi licensing, the first speaker, Chris Vince, the MP for Harlow, expressed his concerns about the unintended consequences of the Deregulation Act 2015. He argued that the Act has opened a loophole, allowing private hire drivers to license their vehicles in district authorities far from where they operate, undermining high local standards and leaving a "gaping hole" in the public safety framework. Vince highlighted the issues of cross-border hiring, lack of enforcement powers, and inconsistent signage requirements, which he said have put passengers, particularly the vulnerable, at risk. He urged the Minister to consider reforms, such as introducing national minimum standards, empowering councils to enforce regulations across borders, and ensuring private hire journeys start or finish within the licensed area. In response, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Simon Lightwood, acknowledged the vital role played by the taxi and private hire vehicle sectors in communities. He explained that the 2015 Act did not enable private hire vehicles to work anywhere, but rather allowed the subcontracting of bookings to operators licensed by other authorities, which was already permitted in London. Lightwood recognized the concerns about enforcement and out-of-area working, but cautioned that certain solutions could have negative consequences, such as reducing service availability and increasing fares. He emphasized the need to strike a balance, as passengers often travel across local authority boundaries. Lightwood highlighted the extensive vetting requirements for drivers, but acknowledged that more can be done to ensure consistent standards and passenger safety. He expressed a willingness to work with local authorities and parliamentarians to find solutions that support a successful, safe, and accessible taxi and private hire trade. During the debate, several other MPs intervened to share their local experiences and concerns. Shaun Davies, the MP for Telford, raised the issue of child sexual exploitation, highlighting the independent inquiry's concerns about aspects of taxi licensing undermining best practice. Gill Furniss, the MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, echoed the concerns about lack of scrutiny and the risks to public safety. Rachael Maskell, the MP for York Central, called for the repeal of the Deregulation Act 2015, while Emily Darlington, the MP for Milton Keynes Central, emphasized the need to address the safety of women and girls. Richard Burgon, the MP for Leeds East, raised the impact of the pandemic on taxi drivers and the potential for larger operators to exploit the current regulatory framework.