A passionate plea to reform taxi and private hire licensing was heard in the House of Commons this week, as MPs acknowledged mounting pressure from industry professionals and unions to tackle inconsistencies in licensing across the UK.
During the session, a Derby MP highlighted a recent meeting with local taxi drivers organised by the GMB union. The drivers expressed pride in their work but raised deep concerns about the uneven playing field caused by varying standards between licensing authorities.
“I met with taxi drivers in Derby, in a meeting organised by the GMB, who are proud of the work that they do and they want high standards across the board,” the MP told the chamber.
“What actions is the Minister taking to review taxi licensing so that everyone can have confidence that the taxi and private hire industry is reliable, sustainable, and safe for passengers and drivers themselves?”
Responding to the question, the Minister assured the House that the government is fully committed to strengthening the regulatory framework.
“I can assure my honourable friends that we are taking this very seriously.
We are reviewing licensing authorities’ compliance with existing guidance, and we will hold those who do not follow it to account.
And we will go further, following the publication of Baroness Casey’s review. We’ve committed to taking legislative action to close the loopholes in the current regime to achieve higher standards of safety across the board.”
The statement was welcomed by industry advocates who have long campaigned for stronger, nationally consistent regulations — particularly in light of ongoing concerns over cross-border hiring, safety standards, and driver welfare.
Industry Reaction
The GMB Union and other key players in the private hire sector have called for a crackdown on so-called “licensing tourism,” where drivers bypass stricter local requirements by registering in more lenient authorities — often hundreds of miles away. This loophole, many argue, has undermined trust in the licensing system and led to increased tension between drivers.
In Derby and other parts of the country, licensed drivers have increasingly voiced frustration, saying the current patchwork of rules leaves room for exploitation and erodes public confidence.
Next Steps
With the government now pledging legislative action, all eyes will be on the forthcoming proposals — which are expected to follow Baroness Casey’s findings. For now, the industry continues to push for clarity, consistency, and fairness in how taxi and private hire standards are set and enforced nationwide.
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