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Written question asked by Jim McMahon (Labour) on Thursday, 27 November 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 December 2025. It was answered by Lilian Greenwood (Labour) on Friday, 5 December 2025 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Taxis: Licensing

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has been made of the pull and push factors driving taxi license holders from obtaining licenses out of their area of residence and operation, such as to Wolverhampton Council.

Answer

Ministers and officials regularly engage with the taxi and private hire vehicle sector. Differing licensing requirements, processing times and costs are often cited as reasons why licences are sought from authorities other than that in which the applicants intend to work.

Though there is a high degree of consistency in requirements relating to safety, for example all licensing authorities in England require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service and barred lists check for drivers, the Government is taking action to ensure even greater consistency in licensing.

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill seeks to introduce powers to set national minimum standards for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing. If passed, national minimum standards would enable government to set robust standards for licensing across England, to keep vulnerable children and, indeed, all members of the public safe, wherever they live or travel. It would also help reduce the variability of licensing standards across the country, which is a significant factor in inducing out-of-area working.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
95136
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Licensing Taxis
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk