Government stays out of Mayor of London’s forthcoming taxi and private hire ‘Action Plan’

The Government has confirmed that it has not engaged with the Mayor of London on the city’s Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Action Plan.
Luke Taylor, the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for London, questioned whether the Secretary of State for Transport had made any representations on the issue. However, Simon Lightwood, Department for Transport (DfT) minister, made it clear that no such discussions have taken place.
The Government’s position is that it provides the regulatory framework for taxi and private hire licensing across England, with 263 licensing authorities managing the sector locally. Transport for London (TfL) holds responsibility for licensing in the capital, making the action plan a matter for the Mayor and TfL rather than central government.
This latest statement reinforces the Government’s stance that licensing decisions in London remain under local control, with no intervention from Westminster.
The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, is preparing to introduce a refreshed Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan, slated for release early this year. This initiative aims to address the evolving challenges within the capital’s taxi and private hire sectors.
The forthcoming plan is expected to tackle key topics and problems within the industry, with a focus on supporting the taxi trade, promoting environmental sustainability, seeking additional regulatory powers, and improving engagement.
Lightwood said: “The Secretary of State has not made any representations to the Mayor of London on the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Action Plan. The Government sets the regulatory structure within which 263 licensing authorities in England license the taxi and private hire vehicle sector and issues guidance to assist them in doing this.
“Transport for London is the licensing authority for London. The Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan is a matter for the Mayor of London and Transport for London.”