Government COMMITTED to introducing new taxi legislation, but only when Parliamentary time allows

The Government have confirmed they ARE COMMITTED to introducing new taxi and private hire legislation, but only when Parliamentary time allows.

For many years the taxi industry has called for extensive reform around regulation within the sector. New rules surrounding ride-hailing apps and cross-border hiring remain high on trade representatives' hit lists.

The Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, was quizzed by MP’s Andrew Gwynne and Daisy Cooper, on whether it was likely legislative proposals to reform taxi and private hire regulation would emerge to reflect the growing use of ride-hailing apps.

Trudy Harrison, DfT Parliamentary Under-Secretary, replied saying: “The Department is supporting licensing authorities to make use of their extensive existing powers through the Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards issued last year and is supporting a Private Members’ Bill (Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Bill) which would further enhance the protection the licensing regime provides to the public.

“A consultation on updated best practice guidance for licensing authorities will be launched shortly.

“The Government is committed to introducing legislation, when Parliamentary time allows, to reform the regulation of the sector.”