PROTEST PLIGHT
WEST YORKSHIRE TRADE UNITES IN PROTEST OVER SUITABILITY AND CONVICTIONS POLICY
The taxi trade in West Yorkshire came together in protest on Friday, 18 March. The demonstration involved a strike between 2pm and 6pm and a go-slow drive through the region’s city centres between 4pm and 6pm, as they contin- ued to protest against the Suitability and Convictions Policy. The policy means that a driver who receives six penalty points in a year will receive a three-year suspension. The council says it will improve passenger safety, but drivers have said that it is draconian and disproportionate. Leeds Private Hire Drivers Organisation hosted the demo in Leeds against the policy which was introduced across West Yorkshire in 2019/20, saying it was implemented without proper consultation. The trade has raised concerns over the proposals for how minor motoring convictions, such as speeding, would be considered. Cllr Fazila Loonat - Kirklees Council - Batley East Ward said: “It was an honour to attend and show solidarity at the West Yorkshire-wide taxi drivers go-slow protest across Kirklees, Leeds, Wakefield and Bradford. “Local authorities have stated in its own FoI report that it negatively impacts those of BAME backgrounds. “All drivers should be safe on the roads and the rules implemented for taxi drivers in their local authority regard- ing points should be the same for their own council vehicle drivers, police offi- cers etc, however this is not the case. “Safety is essential and there is no doubt about that but safety should be for the public AND the drivers. At the moment, there are no safety protocols for the drivers. “These drivers go through vigorous checks to get their licences to work but after that, they are subjected to loosely worded policies that allow the local authority to be judge, jury and execu- tioner. One such policy is the dishonesty policy.
APRIL 2021
being made. Wakefield Council is in a similar position. “However in Leeds, this has not happened and the council has now entered into an official dispute with GMB. Bradford Private Hire and Hackney Carriage
“Another point is that the driver’s vehicle criteria, this should be the same across West Yorkshire however this is not the case. “The drivers tried to have dialogue, request a review with the local authori- ty but instead have been faced with broken promises and flippant remarks and so they were left with no other option but to take it to the streets. “The drivers want a review of the licensing suitability and harmonisation policy, a drivers charter and an actual complaints procedure. “In Kirklees, my colleague and I have had many dialogues with licensing offi- cers and can confirm some progress is
(BTAG) say the policy, which West Yorkshire and York councils have adopted for the last three years, has been criticised by many national trade organisations. MPs and Councillors have written to councils saying an urgent review is needed. BTAG added that some even described the suitability policy as unfit, unfair, discriminatory, and racist. Cabbies also argue that customer ser- vice levels being offered by licensing departments across the region do not meet the minimum standards required other industries. and feel this is having an impact on public safety, driver wel- fare and restricted growth to the trade.
Cabbies in Sandwell say they are still waiting for reforms to the service which were promised by December last year. According to the Express and Star, Imran Mahmood Qureshi, secretary of the Sandwell Private Hire Drivers Assoc- iation (SPHDA), said cabbies were will- ing to protest again over the lack of communication. He said: “Seven months is a long time to wait for taxi reforms. Some drivers are now going to other councils for licences.” Cabbies across Sandwell protested last August citing long delays to licence renewals and a lack of communication from the licensing office. There has since been a leadership
change and Mr Qureshi claimed the new council leader, Kerrie Carmichael, “did not know” about their concerns. A Sandwell Council spokesperson said: “The taxi licensing service has made a number of improvements to its service in response to concerns raised by the taxi trade, including the introduction of new licensing software to enable online applications and payments. “A meeting was held between repre- sentatives from the SPHDA and the leader of the council on 8 March 2022, at which the leader agreed to look into some matters raised. It was agreed that a further meeting would be held in four weeks’ time and this is being arranged.”
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