Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to harmonise the licensing requirements for private hire vehicles for every local authority in England.

The Government is responsible for setting the regulatory structure within which licensing authorities in England administer the taxi and private hire vehicle licensing regime. Under this system licensing authorities have the flexibility to set the standards they consider appropriate to demonstrate that a private hire vehicle driver or operator are fit to hold a licence and that vehicles are safe.

The Department for Transport has however issued statutory and best practice guidance to assist licensing authorities. These aim to promote a consistency in licensing requirements and polices for both taxis and private hire vehicles by setting high but proportionate requirements to enable the sector to provide safe and accessible services that meet a wide range of passenger needs.