CROSS-BORDER CRISIS
UNITED FRONT IN PUSH FOR LICENSING REFORM TO DEAL WITH OUT-OF-AREA WORKING
Local leaders across England are demanding a national overhaul of the taxi licensing system which allows drivers to operate far from where they are licensed, under- mining public safety and local economies. The push for reform, spearheaded by
Greater Manchester Mayor
Andy Burnham, has gained traction with multiple councils and MPs, who are urging the government to act swiftly. Out-of-area working is a long- standing issue, with 49% of PHVs in GM reportedly licensed by different councils, such as Wolverhampton. Mayor Burnham has made this a key pillar of his “Backing Our Taxis” campaign and met with key government ministers on 4 Sep- tember, including the transport secretary Heidi Alexander, to advocate for the change as an amendment to
the English
Devolution Bill, moves through Parliament. He describes the current system as a “matter of public safety” and fairness for local drivers and has the support of local MPs from multiple parties, highlighting a broad consensus on the need for change. Mayor Burnham said: “For too long, communities in GM and across the country have been at the mercy of a broken taxi system that allows private hire vehicles and drivers to be licensed hundreds of miles away from where they live and operate. “GM has led the call for reform, and it’s great to see that being backed by our local MPs. With the government having already accepted Baroness Casey’s
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recommendation regarding out of area licensing – further reinforcing the urgent need for change – this Bill provides an opportunity for decisive action to be taken by the Government.” The proposed ban has been a long-standing goal for Burnham, who previously stated he had a “firm commitment” from former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh to address the issue. In Blackpool, MP Chris Webb has also called on the government to pass new legislation to mandate that all taxis operating in the town be licensed locally. Speaking in Parliament on September 11, Webb highlighted the negative impact on the local economy and the livelihoods of taxi drivers. He stated that out-of-town vehicles are “endangering passengers and costing the town millions,” with one publicly owned bus company alone losing nearly £1.5 million. In response Minister Alexander confirmed that the government is considering new legislation to address these inconsistencies in driver licensing. This potential reform could include stricter rules for out-of-area vehicles, stronger national standards, and improved enforcement. In Tamworth, councillors have also called for a uniform national licensing system or a ban on out- of-area taxis. During a council meeting, Cllr Richard Kingstone cited photographic evidence sent by local drivers showing out-of- area drivers reportedly wearing court-ordered tags and sleeping in vehicles at taxi ranks. Kingstone singled out City of
Wolverhampton Council, which he claimed “issues between 12 to 18 per cent of all licences issued in England,” and criticised its “confetti-like issuing of licenses.” The council voted to write to Secretary of State for Transport and the chair of the transport select committee, to express its concerns and demand regulatory reform in a move it said would protect passengers. Meanwhile, Bury Council has submitted evidence
to the
Transport Committee inquiry, advocating for an end to this “broken system.” The council, working with TfGM and the nine other GM licensing authorities, stated that out-of-area licensing “undermines local enforcement and public confidence.” Cllr Charlotte Morris of Bury’s cabinet said that the council “welcome[s] the inquiry and hope[s] it leads to meaningful reform.” She added that closing this loophole is “about protecting the travelling public and sup- porting responsible, local drivers.” The council’s position aligns with the ‘Backing Our Taxis: Local. Licensed. Trusted.’ campaign, which seeks new powers for mayoral authorities to regulate and license taxis and PHVs, ensuring all vehicles operating in GM meet uniform safety and quality standards, regardless of where they are licensed. With a government inquiry into taxi and private hire vehicle licensing now underway,
local
authorities and MPs hope the growing pressure will lead to decisive action.
OCTOBER 2025 PHTM
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