MP asks Home Office whether more frequent immigration status checks of licensed taxi drivers will be considered

An MP has enquired whether the Home Office will look at the potential introduction of new legislation that requires more frequent and detailed checks on the immigration status of licensed taxi drivers.
In recent parliamentary discussions, Rupert Lowe MP, representing Reform UK for Great Yarmouth, posed a question to the Secretary of State for the Home Department. He inquired about the potential benefits of introducing legislation to mandate more frequent and detailed checks on the immigration status of licensed taxi drivers.
Responding on behalf of the Government, Angela Eagle, the Minister of State for the Home Department, clarified the existing regulatory framework. She emphasised that local licensing authorities are responsible for ensuring the safety of the private hire vehicle (PHV) and taxi sector. A key aspect of this responsibility is determining whether an individual is ‘fit and proper’ to hold a licence.
Eagle highlighted that the Immigration Act 2016 imposes a legal duty on licensing authorities. They must not issue licences to individuals disqualified from holding one due to their immigration status. Consequently, all UK licensing authorities are required to conduct right-to-work checks during the licence application process. This ensures applicants are not barred from holding a licence because of their immigration status. These checks are mandatory when an individual applies for a new licence, or seeks to renew or extend an existing one, regardless of the licence’s duration.
The debate initiated by Lowe brings to light the balance required between regulatory oversight and operational efficiency within the taxi industry. While the current framework mandates right-to-work checks at specific intervals, the proposal for more frequent and detailed assessments raises questions about resource allocation and administrative burden.
Proponents of stricter checks argue that more frequent assessments could enhance public safety and ensure compliance with immigration laws. They suggest that regular verification of drivers’ immigration status would act as a deterrent against potential violations and maintain the integrity of the licensing system.
On the other hand, critics caution against the potential for increased bureaucracy. They argue that additional checks could strain local licensing authorities, leading to longer processing times and increased costs. There is also concern about the impact on drivers, particularly those who are already compliant, as more frequent checks could be seen as more costly, intrusive or burdensome.
Eagle MP said: “The Government sets the regulatory structure within which local licensing authorities license the private hire vehicle (PHV) and taxi sector. The primary function of licensing authorities is to ensure that the sector is safe, including defining the criteria that must be met when deciding whether a person is 'fit and proper' to hold a licence.
“The Immigration Act 2016 introduced a legal responsibility on licensing authorities not to issue licences in the PHV and taxi sector to those individuals who are disqualified from holding a licence due to their immigration status. Therefore, all licensing authorities in the UK are required to carry out right to work checks during the licence application process to ensure applicants are not disqualified from holding a licence due to their immigration status. The check must be performed when the applicant applies for a licence, or applies to renew or extend their licence, whether for the full statutory term or for a lesser period.”