Cross-party London Assembly backing grows for London taxi trade, says LTDA
- Perry Richardson
- Jun 21
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 23
Cross-party support for the capital’s taxi industry continues to strengthen, according to the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), as City Hall assembly members increasingly debate the sector’s future.
Steve McNamara, LTDA General Secretary, said concern is mounting across the political divide about the falling number of licensed taxis in London and the knock-on effect this could have on disabled passengers and others who rely on the service.
McNamara noted that these discussions are now happening beyond the Transport Committee, surfacing regularly in full London Assembly meetings.
He highlighted the unusually consistent political unity shown around the taxi trade, saying that while most topics in the Assembly chamber attract divided opinions and votes, support for black cabs comes from all parties.
Last week, Assembly members debated a motion brought forward by Liberal Democrat leader Hina Bokhari OBE. The motion asked the Mayor of London to urge the Government to reinstate the plug-in taxi grant at the original £7,500 level. Additional proposals included exploring ways to reduce the cost of the Knowledge of London and easing financial pressures on drivers.
The motion also called for the appointment of a dedicated Taxi and Private Hire Commissioner. This role would report to the Deputy Mayor for Transport and act as a direct advocate for both the taxi and private hire sectors. Its aim would be to improve industry engagement and ensure the long-term viability of services.
No objections were raised during the session. Conservative members added their backing with a separate motion pushing for a clear policy that allows taxis to operate wherever buses do.
However, under Greater London Authority rules, the motions and amendments were referred back to the Transport Committee. This is due to the ongoing development of a response to the Mayor’s latest taxi action plan, which may incorporate these proposals.
McNamara said in TAXI Newspaper: “The growing realisation at City Hall from assembly members about the declining number of taxis, and the impact this will have on disabled people and others, continues to be debated. Not only is it discussed at the transport committee, but now regularly talked about at meetings of the full assembly.
“The interesting bit for anyone sitting through an assembly meeting is how intense these debates can get between the varying political parties, and on almost any subject there is division and split votes.
“One of the very few exceptions regarding this division is when it comes to the taxi trade, when at every single meeting I have attended there is support from all sides of the chamber.”
McNamara added: “The other request was about improving City Hall’s engagement with both the taxi and private hire trades by appointing a Taxi and Private Hire Commissioner.
“This Commissioner would report to the Deputy Mayor for Transport and act as an advocate for the taxi and private hire sector in London.
“They’d ensure that the industry is supported and so it can continue to provide a safe, efficient and high-quality service to all Londoners. As usual there were no dissenting voices in the chamber, only more calls of support, with the Conservatives tabling a motion calling for a policy that says where buses go, taxis go too.“
