Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the case for audio and CCTV recording in taxi and private hire vehicles.

Local licensing authorities can already require the installation of CCTV in all taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) and a number already do so. The Department for Transport has, however, considered the potential benefits to passengers and drivers of CCTV, with and without audio recording, to inform the Statutory Guidance for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing authorities that will be consulted on in the New Year.

My Right Honourable Friend, the Minister of State for Transport, announced in a Westminster Hall debate that he would be setting up a working group to consider current issues concerning taxi and PHV licensing like this one. It will be reporting its findings in the new year, informing the consultation on Statutory Guidance.