Calls for action to improve private hire vehicle driver working conditions not in the DfT’s remit
- Perry Richardson
- Jan 15
- 2 min read
Abtisam Mohamed, Labour MP for Sheffield Central, has posed critical questions in Parliament regarding the working conditions of private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers. Her inquiries to the Secretary of State for Transport bring attention to a topic that has increasingly become a focal point in the wider debate around the transport and gig economies.
Mohamed’s questions centred on whether the Secretary of State has received any representations on the working conditions of private hire drivers and whether discussions with PHV companies on this matter would be considered. This intervention highlights the concerns surrounding employment practices in the sector, which has often been criticised for its lack of standardised protections for workers.
In response, Simon Lightwood, a Department for Transport minister, clarified the Government’s stance. He confirmed that the Department engages with representatives from the taxi and PHV sectors on a range of issues. However, he noted that employment law and working practices, including driver conditions, fall outside the remit of the Department for Transport. These areas, he said, are instead overseen by the Department for Business and Trade.
The working conditions of PHV drivers have become a growing topic of concern across the UK, as more workers in the industry face challenges linked to employment status, variable incomes, and limited benefits. The rise of app-based private hire platforms has further intensified scrutiny, with many drivers highlighting the precarious nature of their work arrangements.
Campaign groups and unions have long called for government action to improve protections for drivers, particularly in areas such as minimum pay guarantees, access to sick pay, and fairer working hours. There are increasing calls for the Government to address these issues by making them part of licensing requirements for operators.
Sheffield Central, where Mohamed serves as MP, is one such region where drivers have raised concerns about working conditions. The city, like others across the UK, relies heavily on private hire services for urban mobility.
Lightwood’s response also highlights the complexity of addressing employment issues in the PHV industry. The overlapping responsibilities of multiple government departments create a fragmented approach that some argue is ill-suited to the challenges of modern transport and employment dynamics.
Lightwood said: “The Department for Transport discusses a range of issues with representatives from the taxi and private hire vehicle sector. Employment law and working practice policy, including working conditions, is outside of my Department’s remit and is owned by the Department for Business and Trade.”
For now, there is no suggestion of immediate change. While discussions between the Department for Transport and industry representatives will continue, the scope of these talks remains limited. Unless employment concerns are integrated into the agenda, meaningful progress for drivers could remain out of reach.
