The government has confirmed it will not introduce a ban on cross-border hiring, despite long-running calls from local leaders to tighten the rules.
According to the Manchester Evening News, ministers have instead said they will explore a nationwide taxi and private hire standard — but have stopped short of committing to any firm changes.
The MEN reports that Andy Burnham had urged the government to close loopholes that allow drivers licensed by distant authorities — most notably Wolverhampton — to work extensively in Greater Manchester with limited local oversight. Burnham described the potential reforms as “massively important” for public safety and fairness within the industry.
However, the MEN article states that the government has now ruled out restricting cross-border hiring. Instead, officials will look at creating a national licensing standard, something which has been discussed for years without any concrete implementation.
Burnham told the MEN he was “disappointed”, arguing that the government has missed a key opportunity to strengthen passenger safety, support compliant local drivers and improve enforcement consistency across England.
DM News Commentary
This clarification will have mixed reactions across the taxi and private hire sector in Greater Manchester and beyond.
On one hand, a potential national standard could help unify safeguarding, background checks and vehicle requirements — something many drivers and operators have supported for a long time.
But on the other hand, cross-border hiring has been left untouched, meaning:
- Wolverhampton-licensed drivers will continue to operate in Greater Manchester
- Enforcement challenges remain the same
- Local drivers will still face uneven competition
- Councils retain limited powers over drivers licensed elsewhere
For private hire operators, airport transfer companies and independent drivers, this means the current system — widely viewed as outdated and inconsistent — will continue for now.
A national standard could still help level out some differences, but without reform to the cross-border rules, many of the core issues that affect local drivers and public confidence are likely to remain.
DM News will continue monitoring any updates, especially if the government begins formal consultation on the new national standard.
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