CLOSE THE LOOPHOLE NOW: Unite Union urges ministers to implement Casey review reforms on cross-border taxi hiring
- Perry Richardson
- 3 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Taxi drivers will lobby MPs in Westminster on Wednesday 25 February, calling on the Government to implement Baroness Casey’s recommendations on cross-border taxi and private hire working amid concerns over passenger safety.
The action follows the publication in June of the independent review led by Baroness Louise Casey into group-based child sexual exploitation, which concluded that inconsistent taxi and private hire licensing arrangements were placing women and children at risk and required urgent reform. Unite said that despite the safeguarding concerns identified, comprehensive legislative changes have yet to be delivered.
Union members will gather from 11am to press MPs to raise Parliamentary questions referencing the Casey review and out-of-area working. They are also urging support for legislative amendments introducing national standards and expanded local enforcement powers, alongside a clear timetable for reform from the Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.
Cross-border hiring occurs when a private hire booking is accepted by an operator licensed in one local authority area but undertaken in another, often outside the regulatory oversight of the authority where the journey takes place. Under current legislation, enforcement powers largely rest with the licensing authority that issued the driver or operator licence, limiting the ability of other councils to act.
Union to lobby MPs over safeguarding concerns and demand national standards for private hire licensing
Unite argues that the framework is being exploited by some drivers and operators. The union says this results in inconsistent safety standards for passengers depending on where a driver is licensed, while compliant local drivers lose work to those operating from authorities with differing requirements. Local councils, it adds, are left unable to enforce their own safety standards on drivers working within their boundaries.
While the Department for Transport (DfT) has committed to reforms aimed at tackling out-of-area working, Unite maintains that proposals have been diluted. The union is calling for the introduction of a start or finish rule requiring every private hire journey to begin or end in the driver’s licensed area, the establishment of mandatory national standards covering vetting, safeguarding and training, and enhanced enforcement powers enabling local authorities to take action against any driver or operator working within their area.
The debate over cross-border hiring has intensified in recent years as large operators have expanded across multiple licensing areas, prompting concerns among councils and trade bodies about regulatory consistency and public safety. Industry stakeholders have long argued that disparities in local licensing conditions create commercial imbalances and complicate compliance.
Unite said that without substantive legislative change, local authorities will continue to lose oversight of passenger safety standards and the regulatory system will increasingly favour larger operators over local drivers and communities. The DfT has not yet set out a firm timetable for primary legislation addressing taxi and private hire licensing reform.
Sharon Graham, Unite General Secretary, said: "It is completely unacceptable that despite the Casey’s report laying bare the dangers of cross border hiring and the need for urgent action, the Government has not closed the loophole.
“Instead of coming up with weak alternatives, the Government must implement policies that will protect passengers and drivers. Unite will not stop campaigning until our demands are met.”
Wayne King, Unite National Officer for Passenger Transport, said: "There is overwhelming evidence that out of area taxi and private hire working is leaving both passengers and drivers at risk.
"Casey’s recommendations must be actioned. Heidi Alexander can close a loophole that will give vulnerable women and children greater protection from sexual exploitation.
“The start or finish rule is an essential part of this. The government needs to implement this urgently and Unite will keep fighting for this to be put in place.”
