INDUSTRY #THEINSULTEDINDUSTRY
forego the need for a D4 medical in order to renew their driving entitlement. These changes are temporary and will only apply where the driver does not have any existing notifiable health con- ditions, and their licence has not expired before 1 January 2020.”
So hang on, they know that taxi and private hire drivers need the same medical and had difficulties in obtaining the medical in the same way as bus and HGV drivers, but once again excluded the taxi/PHV industry from any Government guidance or concession! It is worth noting that “some” local authorities have indeed granted an extension for driver medicals - but not many. Why didn’t the same Government directive apply to all Group 2 medical applicants?
SOMEBODY GETS A REPLY!
You may remember a gentleman by the name of Zulfiqar Ali who wrote a feature on “Slavery: a 21st century evil” in August PHTM. It featured every aspect of working in this industry, both good and bad. Mr Ali sent the article to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps for his reaction.
The reply came from the taxis and buses division of the DfT and contained every single aspect of Government reaction we have crit- icised from the start of the lockdown.
• It passes the buck onto licensing authorities to look after their drivers.
• It suggests the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and Universal Credit yet again - about as much use as a chocolate fireguard for most of our drivers.
• It mentions local council tax support and a reduction in council tax of £150 - which only applied to the unemployed, so is com- pletely irrelevant here.
• It quotes Matthew Taylor’s review of modern working practices (issued in 2017) and the Good Work Plan (published in 2018) – neither of which applies to self-employed people in our industry.
• Finally it gives Mr Ali the link the Grant Shapps announcement “the Government attaches the utmost priority to passenger safety”. Don’t we just know it! No wonder Mr Ali was disappointed with the response.
The Government continues to issue meaningless links and plati- tudes to all who contact them from this industry, without the slightest hint of any guidance or support coming our way.
DISABLED PERSONS TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE BULLETIN
Another bulletin was issued by DPTAC on 8th August, “The impor- tance of taxis for disabled people.”
“Taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) are one of the most popular modes of transport for disabled people after the private motor car. Disabled people use taxis more than non-disabled people despite more of them living in relative poverty. Taxis and PHVs provide a door-to-door service, with scope for individual assistance with the particular needs of a disabled passenger.”
That says it all, really.
The report states clearly: “Government also has a role to play in guiding licensing authorities on how to effectively carry out their duties… with appropriate guidance from the Government.”
DPTAC talks of the difficulties faced by disabled passengers as a result of remote cross-border PHV operations as well, stating that they “are open to alternative solutions to this problem; for exam- ple, if mandatory national standards were introduced.”
SEPTEMBER 2020 Now where have we heard that before…?!
They also acknowledge the cost of buying and running the larger WAVs, and that “some form of subsidy will be required…” - unlike the Government powers that be who pushed our drivers to take out a Covid loan on top of their electric vehicle loan…!
DPTAC openly recognises that our industry needs support; as they clearly state that taxi and private hire provision is a critical part of the public transport infrastructure.
VIRTUAL MEETINGS GALORE
Over the past month the NPHTA has participated in various Zoom and Microsoft Teams meetings on behalf of our members and the industry. One of these was with HMRC - you’ll find the write-up on that meeting within this edition.
Another was with Public Health England and the Health and Safety Executive, to discuss “Current approaches for managing at-risk workers in the transport sector.” HSE also covered “Disparities in the risk and outcomes of Covid-19”.
We pointed out that a large majority of licence holders in our indus- try are from ethnic minorities, however, we were told that there is “no expectation of additional controls for higher risk groups”.??? We were left pondering on that point, as the meeting ended. However, many of the other participants echoed our sentiments asking why.
The most recent meeting was with the Department of Health and Social Care, hosted by the DfT, on the Test and Trace app where they gave a demo, telling us that it will be available in seven differ- ent languages; and highlighting that speed, precision and reach (distance) will be achievable far more accurately to pinpoint possi- ble Covid carriers.
Very impressive, but also very new – to the extent that they don’t know when the app will be available; and it does not allow for actual separation achieved by walls, PPE or protection screens; or even separate decks of a double-decker bus.
However, we as your representatives are being recognised; the NPHTA was there on every occasion - we are being invited to attend and we get the opportunity to deliver the message, yet again.
AND FINALLY…
Last month we contacted all the mainstream media with our plea for assistance for #theforgottenindustry, with a view to their featuring the report in a news programme or investigation. We’ll report back if anything develops from these contacts. See also our feature this month on the NPHTA pages: What about the drivers?
A UNIFIED TRADE IS A POWERFUL VOICE! NOW MORE THAN EVER
WE NEED TO STAND TOGETHER!!
JOIN THE NPHTA NOW!
0161 280 2800
info@nphta.co.uk 11
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