COMMONS DEBATE: MP urges industry to engage as taxi licensing reform consultation nears deadline
- Perry Richardson
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Labour MP Catherine Atkinson has called for stronger engagement from both drivers and passengers as the Government’s consultation on taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing reforms approaches its closing date.
Speaking in the House of Commons on 26 March, Atkinson highlighted ongoing inconsistencies in taxi regulation across England, where vehicles can legally operate outside the area in which they are licensed. The issue, often referred to within the industry as cross-border hiring, has become a focal point for policymakers seeking to tighten standards and improve passenger safety.
Atkinson told Parliament that “rules and standards for taxis vary across the country” and warned that vehicles “can operate in completely different areas from where they get their licence”. She noted that Government action to address the issue would “take a step forward next week when the consultation ends”.
The Derby North MP also pointed to local industry involvement in shaping proposals, stating that Derby drivers had worked with her and fellow Labour MP Baggy Shanker to push for “higher standards, greater safety and a level playing field for taxis”.
Government signals next steps on national taxi and private hire standards following parliamentary exchange
She urged Ministers to ensure continued scrutiny once consultation responses are received, asking whether parliamentary time would be made available to discuss the next steps. Atkinson also called for wider participation in the consultation process, encouraging both passengers and operators to submit their views before the deadline.
Responding on behalf of the Government, Alan Campbell acknowledged the sector’s importance to the UK’s transport network. He said taxis and PHVs “play a vital part in local transport, connecting residents to the local economy and enabling businesses and residents to reach wider transport networks”.
Campbell backed the call for engagement, encouraging “local authorities, taxi and private hire vehicle businesses and passengers to participate in the consultation before it closes”. He also referenced the presence of Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood in the chamber, signalling that responsibility for the next phase of policy development sits within the Department for Transport.
The consultation forms part of a broader Government effort to modernise taxi and PHV regulation in England, the first significant national review of the sector in decades. Key areas under consideration include licensing consistency, enforcement powers and passenger safety standards.
Industry stakeholders have long warned that current cross-border provisions, enabled under existing legislation, risk undermining local authority control and creating uneven operating conditions. The consultation outcome is expected to shape potential legislative changes aimed at addressing those concerns while maintaining service availability across regions.
