THE BURNHAM EFFECT
TAXI LICENSING UNDER ANDY BURNHAM: WHAT OPERATORS SHOULD EXPECT
By Layla Barke-Jones Aaron & Partners Solicitors
www.aaronandpartners.com
Not long after the House of Commons Transport Committee issued its report calling for a modernised taxi and private hire vehicle licensing framework that reflects the scale and influence of app-based operators, Andy Burnham has stepped into office. Burnham has championed intervention from politicians into taxi licensing whilst Mayor of Manchester, will this translate into legislative change for the private hire and Taxi industry?
With Andy Burnham as Prime Minister, taxi and private hire firms should probably expect a more inter- ventionist, locally accountable licensing regime rather than a light-touch continuation of the current system. He has repeatedly described England’s taxi/PHV framework as “broken” and has pushed to end or restrict “out-of-area” licensing.
However, whilst this was cited as a major project for Burnham as mayor, with national issues of defence, health, the treasury and justice on his hands he may well find this slips down the agenda.
The parliamentary committee though is up and running and has recently published its report high- lighting major concerns. The report: Raising the standard: licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles, is one of the clearest indications yet that the regulation of taxis and PHVs is likely to change materially.
Its central message is straightforward: the market has modernised faster than the law. Ride-hailing apps, cross-border booking models and nationally recognisable platform brands have reshaped how passengers book journeys and how drivers obtain work. Yet the core licensing framework still rests on legislation that was not designed for today’s technology-led operating models.
More than 260 licensing authorities currently apply their own standards, with variations across driver checks, vehicle requirements, accessibility, knowledge testing, CCTV policies and complaint
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processes. That fragmentation matters because app- based operators do not fit neatly within the geographical assumptions of the older regime.
Cross-border working has become commonplace, with Wolverhampton becoming the licensing authority of choice for many operators and drivers. Andy Burnham has spoken loudly of his desire to see more localised “license where you operate” rules.
Burnham has argued that drivers and vehicles should not be licensed hundreds of miles away from where they mainly work, because it weakens local enforce- ment and accountability. This would particularly affect PH operators relying on large pools of out-of-area licensed drivers. One Manchesterism he was keen to introduce as mayor was more local or regional control over private hire licensing, allowing combined authorities more power over taxi and private hire standards, enforcement, accessibility and vehicle conditions.
The Government has already indicated its intention to legislate for national minimum standards. The Committee welcomes that direction but warns against standards becoming “low by default”.
Whilst Burnham previously highlighted concerns on out-of-area work causing harm to livelihoods and public safety, the Committee acknowledges that outright prohibition of out-of-area working would be impractical.
The report though accepts that extensive out-of-area working can undermine local accountability and make enforcement harder. It also points to concerns about licence shopping, where drivers or operators may be incentivised to obtain licences from authorities perceived to be faster, cheaper or less onerous.
What future licensing conditions may cover
The Committee’s recommendations give a useful indication of where future licensing conditions may land. Operators should pay particular attention to enhanced DBS checks, safeguarding training, clearer “fit and proper” decision-making, police and licensing authority information sharing, a mandatory national database, potential in-vehicle CCTV,
AUGUST 2026 PHTM
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