Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps to strengthen taxi licensing conditions.

The Department published its Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards in 2020 which focus on safeguarding standards to protect the most vulnerable, but provide benefits for all passengers. The recommendations include six-monthly DBS checks at the highest level and safeguarding awareness training for all drivers. Licensing authorities should implement these high standards unless there is a compelling local reason not to.

The Department has also consulted on revised Best Practice Guidance which provides recommendations on licensing issues not covered by the Statutory Standards. The final version of the guidance will be published in due course.

Government remains committed to legislating to create national licensing standards for taxis and private hire vehicles when parliamentary time allows.