Taxi drivers in London are passing the Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) test at far higher rates than private hire drivers, according to new data released by Transport for London (TfL) following a Freedom of Information request . The figures, covering the period from 1 October 2025 to 2 April 2026, show that 94% of taxi driver candidates passed the SERU assessment, compared with just 54% of private hire driver applicants. The data provides one of the clear

A year on from the launch of Transport for London’s (TfL) Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan, questions remain over whether policy ambition has translated into meaningful change for drivers and operators. While progress has been made across some areas, industry stakeholders continue to highlight gaps in delivery, particularly around the rising cost of entering and remaining in the trade. Against a backdrop of declining driver numbers and ongoing financial pressures, the effect

Basildon Council’s pledge to introduce a Taxi Fuel Support Grant has prompted fresh debate across the taxi and private hire industry over whether drivers in other licensing areas can expect comparable financial backing. The announcement, made by council leader Gavin Callaghan, positions Basildon among a small number of authorities willing to intervene directly in response to rising operating costs. However, early indications suggest that such support is unlikely to be replica