Liverpool City Council pledge public support to Mayor Burnham’s ‘Backing Out Taxis’ campaign
- Perry Richardson
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Liverpool City Council has publicly backed Mayor Andy Burnham’s “Backing Our Taxis” campaign, aimed at reforming England’s taxi licensing system.
The council is distributing campaign stickers to licensed drivers at Victoria House during specified hours.
The campaign addresses the issue of “out-of-area” licensing, where drivers obtain licences from authorities with less stringent requirements and operate in different regions. In Greater Manchester, nearly half of private hire vehicles are licensed outside the local area, limiting local councils’ ability to enforce standards and ensure public safety.
Mayor Burnham is advocating for changes to the English Devolution Bill to grant city-regions control over taxi licensing, aiming to enhance safety, vehicle standards, and driver accountability. The campaign also calls for government support to help drivers transition to greener vehicles, including extending VAT exemptions and grants for electric taxis.
A 12-week review of Greater Manchester’s licensing approach is underway, involving consultations with the taxi trade to explore improvements and incentives for local licensing.
Blackpool MP Scott Benton has also expressed support for the campaign, highlighting the growing political momentum behind the initiative.
David Skaith, the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, has also endorsed the initiative. He emphasised the need for safer and more consistent standards in taxi services, advocating for a clearer and more accountable licensing system. Skaith said: “Our residents, businesses and visitors should be able to expect safe travel and consistent high standards when they take a taxi. That’s why I’m backing Andy Burnham’s campaign for fairer, clearer licensing rules - it’s time the system changed”
A Liverpool City Council Licensing spokesperson said via social media: “Backing our Taxis campaign. If any LCC driver or owner wishes to have the attached sticker for display in their vehicle please collect one Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday between 1pm-3pm from Victoria House.”
