TRANSPORT COMMITTEE INQUIRY
While there is a clear and justified need for a higher proportion of WAVs in areas with elevated levels of tourism - such as London and Blackpool - the same level of supply is not necessary or viable in other regions.
To illustrate this point, consider nursing homes and hospitals: although these facilities may accommodate over a hundred residents, many of whom are wheelchair users, they typically maintain only a limited number of wheelchairs on-site. The same principle should apply to the taxi sector - a required percentage of WAVs is entirely reasonable, but a 100% WAV policy is not a sustainable business model. This is primarily due to the high purchase cost of these vehicles compared with the low frequency of their use for their specific purpose.
It is also important to distinguish between wheelchair users and those who are wheelchair-bound, as the two categories represent different levels of mobility and need. This distinction has been discussed in detail in articles published in the national trade publication Private Hire and Taxi Monthly (PHTM).
Suggestion / summary:
Rural and low-demand areas should not be required to operate a 100% WAV fleet. Instead, a mixed fleet model should be adopted, provided that a minimum number or percentage of WAVs is maintained to ensure accessibility needs are met.
4. “No excuse for abuse campaign”
I was visibly shocked when Paul claimed that Unite the Union had recently launched the No Excuse for Abuse campaign. In fact, the campaign was launched by PHTM Newspaper back in 2018, in response to the increasing number of attacks on our drivers. Evidence of this can be found here: PHTMJanuary 2019 Issue, page 64:
https://shorturl.at/5ATos
Councils from across the country, who have to approve the distinctive double sided window stickers before they can be displayed, have been fully supportive of this campaign and regularly purchase the stickers which are now produced both in English and English/Welsh to distribute to their licensed vehicle owners.
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5. Reflection on the Casey Report and the role of taxi/private hire Services
During our recent session, reference was made to the Casey Report, though time did not allow for a full discussion. Having reviewed the report in detail, I noted that of the twelve recommendations made, only one related specifically to the taxi and private hire sector, focusing primarily on cross-border working and its perceived link to child exploitation activity.
It is important to recognise that this is not a new issue. The original Casey Report of 2012, which focused on the Rotherham area, identified that taxi and private hire vehicles had been used by perpetrators to transport victims. This finding led Rotherham Council to introduce mandatory in-vehicle CCTV in 2014 to enhance
safeguarding and evidential integrity.
However, this measure was not replicated in other places, such as Newcastle, Telford, or Rochdale, despite similar cases emerging in those areas.
It should also be emphasised that of those drivers accused of direct involvement in grooming activity, very few were ever convicted, but they were all locally licensed. The evidence therefore does not support the view that cross-border licensing was a contributing factor. Rather, the issue has consistently been one of systemic safeguarding failures, intelligence sharing, and multi-agency communication.
The taxi and private hire trade has, unfortunately, been used as a means of transport by offenders - no differently to buses, trains, or other public transport. The vehicles themselves were not the cause; the lack of early identification and safeguarding coordination was.
I have been actively involved in safeguarding initiatives through LANPAC (Lancashire Partnership Against Crime), where child exploitation awareness has been a consistent focus. The taxi and private hire sector play a critical role in these efforts, working closely with the police and local authorities to identify risks, report concerns, and protect vulnerable passengers.
Having personally experienced the care system, passing through multiple children’s homes and foster care placements from an incredibly early age, this issue is one I hold close to me heart. I therefore remain committed to ensuring that our sector continues to be part of the safeguarding solution, not mischaracterised as part of the problem.
NOVEMBER 2025 PHTM
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