Taxi Licensing: Deregulation Act 2015

Emily Darlington Excerpts

Monday 21st October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Chris Vince]

I am going to make some progress.

I have heard first-hand accounts from Harlow’s taxi drivers. Will the Minister commit to take action? Will he consider reforming the law to introduce national minimum standards, empower councils to enforce regulations across borders and ensure that private hire journeys either start or finish within the licensed area? These steps are critical not just to restore fairness in the industry but to safeguard the public.

[Emily Darlington (Milton Keynes Central) (Lab)]

I thank my hon. Friend for securing this debate, which is so important not only for taxi drivers but for safety, particularly for the safety of women and girls at the end of the night, when too often things happen. Does he agree that deregulation has led to a decrease in their safety—especially for councils such as Milton Keynes, a white ribbon city—and that the white ribbon should be part of the taxi licensing regime?

[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.