Andy Burnham has shared his views on proposals aimed at reducing so-called “out-of-area” working for taxis and private hire vehicles, speaking on BBC Radio Manchester during the station’s On the Hot Seat segment.
In a clip shared on social media, the Greater Manchester Mayor discusses the issue in the context of wider national conversations around taxi and private hire regulation. The comments come as part of ongoing debate about whether the current licensing system — which allows drivers to work far outside the council area that issued their licence — remains fit for purpose.
The discussion directly follows the UK Government’s launch of a major consultation into taxi and private hire vehicle licensing powers, which was recently covered by DM News. That consultation is examining potential reforms to how licensing authorities operate, including whether powers should be consolidated across larger regional areas rather than remaining split across hundreds of individual councils.
DM Commentary
Andy Burnham’s intervention highlights just how politically live the issue of out-of-area working has become. While some drivers see cross-border licensing as essential for flexibility and affordability, others — including many local authorities — argue it creates enforcement challenges and uneven standards.
From a taxi and private hire perspective, any move to restrict out-of-area working or shift licensing to larger regional bodies would be one of the biggest structural changes the industry has seen in decades. For drivers, the key concern will be whether reforms improve consistency and safety without pushing up costs or limiting earning opportunities.
As the consultation progresses, comments like these suggest that metro mayors and combined authorities are likely to play an increasingly vocal role in shaping the future of taxi and PHV licensing across England.
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