TAXI AND PHV LICENSING INQUIRY: Minister next in the firing line to face Transport Select Committee
- Perry Richardson
- 12 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The Government’s approach to taxi and private hire vehicle licensing will face further parliamentary scrutiny next week, with ministers due to give oral evidence to MPs as part of an ongoing inquiry into the sector.
The House of Commons Transport Committee is scheduled to hold a public evidence session on Wednesday 14 January 2026 as part of its inquiry into the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles. The session is set to begin at 9.15am and will take place at Portcullis House in Westminster.
The session will hear from Lilian Greenwood MP, Minister for Roads at the Department for Transport, alongside Liz Wilson, Deputy Director for Accessible and Inclusive Transport at the department. The evidence will be given in public and streamed online.
The inquiry is examining whether the current taxi and private hire licensing framework remains fit for purpose, particularly in light of widespread out-of-area working, enforcement challenges, passenger safety concerns and the impact of app-based operators. MPs have already taken evidence from local authorities, enforcement bodies and industry representatives.
Transport Committee to question ministers as MPs continue inquiry into taxi and private hire licensing framework
For councils and licensing authorities, the evidence session is expected to focus on the Government’s response to long-standing calls for reform, including proposals to reduce the number of licensing authorities, improve data sharing and strengthen national minimum standards. The Department for Transport has previously acknowledged that the fragmented system of more than 260 licensing bodies creates enforcement gaps.
The appearance comes against the backdrop of growing pressure from parts of the taxi trade and local government for clearer national rules, particularly around cross-border hiring, accessibility requirements and compliance checks. Private hire operators are also watching closely for any indication of tighter regulation following recent disputes over working practices and driver protections.
