PROTEST PLIGHT
SADIQ KHAN PAUSES ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT FOR LONDON’S PH DRIVERS
Sadiq Khan has celebrated TfL’s decision to “pause” enforcement action against the capital’s cabbies who failed to
meet English
language requirements. The London Mayor was seen entering a crowd of flag-waving and placard-clutching demon- strators outside City Hall. Placards surrounding Khan carried a number of slogans, including “We Cannot Change Our Careers” and “No Test, Provide Training”. Other placards argued “No Drivers Should Lose Their Licence If They Fail SERU” and “Drivers Don’t Need The English Test”. However, another slogan heaped pressure on Khan, saying: “Stop Imposing Congestion Charge.” Khan, who had stepped outside during a short interval between sessions at London Mayor’s Questions, took selfies and shook hands with private hire drivers just hours after announcing plans to pause action for both the safety, equality and regulatory under- standing (SERU) requirement and the English language require- ments (ELR). The 50-minute SERU assessment came into force in October 2021, costs £36 and is completed through multiple choice and sentence completion questions. In its page on the SERU requirement, TfL said: “It is essential that London PHV drivers have
an appropriate under-
standing of safety, equality and regulatory requirements that apply to them. “This helps ensure public safety and will enhance customer service.”
levels of PHTM FEBRUARY 2024
TfL also described the ELR as “essential for public safety”, adding: “Drivers must satisfy the ELR by
taking and passing a
speaking and listening test and the SERU assessment is used to assess their reading and writing skills.”
The English language assessment, which also costs £36, consists of two main assessments: TfL’s speaking and listening test consists of a 15 to 20-minute conversation, while the reading and writing assessment is based on information contained in the PHV Driver’s Handbook. The PHV Driver’s Handbook, which also forms the backbone of the SERU assessment, includes a number of key sections. It looks to inform drivers about reducing the risk of violence in difficult situations, making passengers feel safe and about being careful behind the wheel. A Freedom of Information request revealed there are more than 100,000 private hire drivers in London. However, the proportion of candidates who passed the SERU assessment between October 2021 and October 2022 stood at just 69 per cent.
Khan, who serves as chairman of TfL, said: “TfL is pausing enforcement against private hire drivers in London who have not yet met the SERU or the English language requirement. “A trial is being undertaken to do assessments in a different way. I know this has been a matter of great concern for private hire drivers across our city. “Drivers who have been struggling to meet the requirements now won’t face licensing enforcement action while the trial is underway. “PHV drivers are a crucial part of London’s economy, and as Mayor, I will always champion their interests and those of their passengers.” However, Khan’s announcement to pause enforcement was not universally well-received with a number of social media users criticising the London Mayor over his decision. One said: complained: “Khan doesn’t think it’s reasonable for people to
England, in order to
speak English, in gain
employment. Untenable.” Khan’s Conservative challenger for City Hall, Susan Hall, suggested the London Mayor could look at other ways
to assist the capital’s
motorists. She told GB News: “Of course Sadiq must provide support for drivers, and the best way he can do that is scrap his unfair ULEZ expansion. “But he won’t. Next thing we know, he will bring in London pay-per- mile. I won’t. I will scrap the ULEZ expansion on day one, and never bring in London pay per mile.”
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