Taxi Licensing: Deregulation Act 2015
Debate between Chris Vince and Richard Burgon(1 month ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Chris Vince
My hon. Friend is right to say that different authorities have different standards. One issue is not being licensed in the authority where that taxi operates.
Richard Burgon (Leeds East) (Ind)
I thank my hon. Friend for allowing so many interventions and for securing this important debate. Taxi drivers in my constituency and elsewhere in West Yorkshire really suffered during the covid pandemic. Is it not the case that the current regulatory framework for cross-border licensing is enabling some of the bigger operators to rip off hard-working taxi drivers by making sure that they do not get the income that they need and deserve, especially after covid?
Chris Vince
My hon. Friend is right; covid hit tax drivers in my constituency very hard, and we should do what we can to support them. Repealing some of the legislation would help to do that.
I am on my final paragraph, you will be pleased to know, Madam Deputy Speaker. This is not just about needless red tape but—