The Department published its Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards in 2020 which focus on safeguarding standards to protect the most vulnerable, but provide benefits for all passengers. The recommendations include six-monthly DBS checks at the highest level and safeguarding awareness training for all drivers. Licensing authorities should implement these high standards unless there is a compelling local reason not to.

The Department has also consulted on revised Best Practice Guidance which provides recommendations on licensing issues not covered by the Statutory Standards. The final version of the guidance will be published in due course.

Government remains committed to legislating to create national licensing standards for taxis and private hire vehicles when parliamentary time allows.

The Department for Transport is responsible for setting the regulatory framework for the licensing of the taxi and private hire vehicle sectors. Local licensing authorities are responsible for processing licensing applications. The Department published the Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards in 2020, providing guidance for licensing authorities. This states that licensing authorities should ensure that all individuals that determine whether a licence is issued or refused are adequately resourced to allow them to discharge the function effectively and correctly. These individuals that determine whether a licence is issued should be required to undertake sufficient training.

Taxis and private hire vehicles have an important role in local transport networks across the country. In towns and cities, for example, they can provide an important "first mile-last mile" role, connecting people to transport hubs. In rural areas, where public transport and local facilities may be limited, taxis and PHVs can meet a range of transport needs. The Government expects local authorities to consider taxis and private hire vehicles as part of their local transport planning.

For taxis, which can be hailed in the street or at taxi ranks in the area in which they are licensed, local licensing authorities can set maximum fares. These should pay regard to the needs of the travelling public and what it is reasonable to expect people to pay, but also to the need to give taxi drivers the ability to earn a sufficient income. Regulated metered fares provide an important element of consumer protection as passengers do not pre-book the journey. Many authorities have been reviewing their maximum taxi fares this year in light of the increasing pressure on everyone’s finances.

Local authorities have no power to set fares for private hire vehicles. These services must be booked in advance and the competitive pre-booked market allows operators to compete on price as well as other factors such as quality of service and reputation.

The Government currently has no plans to introduce a new VAT charge on taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs).

However, the Government is closely monitoring ongoing deliberations by UK courts that may inform the VAT treatment of taxis and PHVs.

Private hire vehicle (PHV) legislation in London requires London PHV operator licence holders to comply with conditions attached to their licence, such as that set by regulation 9(14) of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) (Operators' Licences) Regulations 2000, as amended. If a London PHV operator licence holder fails to comply with a condition of their licence the legislation provides that the licensing authority, Transport for London, can suspend or revoke the licence.

The Government sets the regulatory framework for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing, with licensing authorities responsible for licensing decisions and enforcement. Following the Divisional Court's judgment, Transport for London, the licensing authority for London, has amended its regulations governing private hire vehicle operator licences and in April 2022 issued guidance on complying with the legislation.

This High Court declaration was on the legislation that applies to private hire vehicle operators in London. Different legislation applies in the rest of the UK. The High Court considered the legislation that applies in the rest of England (except Plymouth) and Wales in reaching its decision on the London legislation, but it did not make a declaration on that legislation. Interpretation of the law is ultimately a matter for the courts and any clarification the Department could give would be couched in such terms.

Taxi and private hire vehicle policy is a devolved matter in all UK nations and any clarification in respect of the legislation that applies in their nation would be a matter for the relevant devolved administrations.

The issue of plying for hire was also considered by the High Court. However, the question of whether a vehicle is plying for hire in particular circumstances is a matter of fact and degree. It is not therefore possible to provide a list of factors which could be sufficiently determinative as to give clear guidance on this matter.

Guide and assistance dogs enable their owners to live and travel in safety and with dignity. Refusing them access to services, including taxis and private hire vehicles is not only illegal, but can damage their confidence and independence.

The details of individual taxi and PHV licensing regimes is a matter for the respective local authorities, however I urge them to consider how best to equip drivers with the skills and knowledge to provide all disabled customers with the assistance they need.

We are considering how Government could help to reduce incidents of assistance dog refusals by taxi and PHV drivers, but in the meantime I encourage authorities to take robust action against those who are unwilling to comply.