DfT Minister meets LTDA and FREENOW to discuss taxi vehicle grants and cabbie recruitment
Pivotal discussions involving government minister, taxi trade representatives and FREENOW seeing taxi grant funding and driver recruitment take central stage.
Earlier this week a crucial meeting between Department for Transport Minister Simon Lightwood, Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) General Secretary Steve McNamara and FREENOW’s UK Public Affairs Lead Sam Pooke took place.
The discussions centred on the future of the black cab industry in London and across the UK, focusing on sustainability and addressing the challenges ahead.
With the upcoming Spending Review and London Action Plan for Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (PHV) set to shape the industry, 2025 is expected to be a defining year. Central to the conversation was how the taxi trade can collaborate with the Government to ensure it leads the transition to net zero.
An immediate concern is the expiry of the Plug-in Taxi Grant (PiTG) in April. This scheme has been instrumental in supporting drivers with the financial demands of adopting greener vehicles. Pooke emphasised the importance of extending such funding to maintain momentum in the sector’s environmental transition.
The meeting also addressed the critical shortage of drivers. With numbers at an all-time low, Pooke called for Government action to prioritise recruitment and retention to meet growing demand. He described the need for collaboration between unions, industry platforms like FREENOW, and the Government to safeguard the future of the trade.
Sam Pooke, Senior Policy Manager at FREENOW, said: "It was great to meet with Minister Simon Lightwood and the LTDA General Secretary Steve McNamara to discuss the future of the black cab trade in London and across the UK. With the Spending Review and London Action Plan for Taxis & PHV approaching, 2025 is set to be a big year for the industry.
“Our industry is facing a critical challenge, as the number of drivers hits an all-time low. Talent recruitment and retention must become a top priority for the Government. We urgently need a significant boost in driver numbers to meet current demand and sustain the trade.
“To support this, we urged the Minister to continue supporting drivers through initiatives like the Plug-in Taxi Grant, which is crucial for enabling an affordable and sustainable transition to greener taxis. Collaboration between the Government, unions, and platforms like FREENOW will be essential to safeguarding the future of the taxi trade and its journey towards net zero."
