Local enforcement officers will be able to suspend any taxi or private hire vehicle licence being used in their area if immediate safety concerns arise, Transport Minister Simon Lightwood told MPs. The commitment came in response to Labour MP Lewis Atkinson, who asked whether the Government’s planned taxi and private hire vehicle Bill would give councils such as Sunderland the powers and resources to regulate vehicles operating locally, regardless of where they were licensed.

HM Revenue & Customs has acknowledged that it lacks the data needed to assess whether planned changes to private hire vehicle VAT could disproportionately affect certain passenger groups. The finding appears in a tax information and impact note published on Thursday 29 October, following the Government’s announcement of new VAT arrangements for larger taxi and private hire operators. The proposed legislation will require qualifying operators acting as agents to account for VA

Uber has rejected a proposal to temporarily reduce the commission it retains from UK private hire journeys, despite renewed pressure from drivers facing higher operating costs. The decision was disclosed by GMB following its third-quarter meeting with the ride-hailing company on 27 October. GMB had proposed a temporary 5% commission reduction or equivalent rebate, arguing that the measure would provide financial assistance to drivers affected by rising fuel prices. According