The Government will stop asylum seekers from using taxis for routine medical appointments from February, following a review that identified extensive use of private hire vehicles for long-distance journeys. The decision marks a significant shift in transport policy for people housed in the asylum accommodation system and is aimed at cutting what ministers have described as unnecessary spending. The Home Office review was launched in September after a BBC investigation  report

The Government has formally confirmed that private hire vehicle operators will be excluded from the Tour Operators’ Margin Scheme (TOMS) from 2 January 2026, bringing an end to years of legal disputes and aligning all VAT treatment at the standard 20 percent rate. The decision followed its consultation on the VAT treatment of private hire vehicles, published in November 2025, which set out how the rule changes will apply and why the Treasury rejected alternative mitigation op

The GMB union has called on ministers to ensure drivers have a central role in shaping the Government’s planned national minimum standards for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing. The intervention follows the announcement that the Transport Secretary will be given powers to introduce a single national framework focused on safety and accessibility. Eamon O’Hearn, GMB National Officer, said the union has campaigned for national standards for years, arguing that fragmented r