‘HUGE IMPACT’: Labour MP first to spark CROSS BORDER taxi debate in House of Commons under new Government

Christopher Vince MP has ignited the vital discussion around cross border hiring which continues to plague the taxi industry impacting both drivers and passengers across the UK.

During a recent session, Vince MP highlighted the ramifications of the Deregulation Act 2015, which allows taxi drivers to operate without obtaining licenses from the local authorities where they work. This deregulation has led to a patchwork of standards across different areas, causing significant challenges for the taxi trade.

One major concern raised by Vince MP is the variability in the frequency and rigour of vehicle checks. Some local authorities conduct fewer inspections, potentially compromising passenger safety. Another issue is the inconsistency in signage requirements, which can leave passengers in areas like Harlow without clear indicators that a vehicle is a licensed taxi.

Vince's call for a debate was met with support from Lucy Powell, Leader of the House of Commons. Powell acknowledged the importance of the issue, particularly regarding safety, and promised a detailed response from the Department for Transport. She also suggested that an Adjournment debate on the topic could garner significant attention within the House.

The controversy surrounding cross border hire regulations centres on these differing standards. While deregulation was intended to streamline operations, it has inadvertently created a fragmented system. Passengers are left unsure about the safety and legitimacy of taxis, while drivers face the challenge of navigating varying requirements.

Christopher Vince MP said in the House of Commons on Thursday 18 July: “I would like to call for a debate on an issue that is affecting taxi drivers and their passengers, not just in Harlow but in other parts of the country.

“As a repercussion of the Deregulation Act 2015, taxi drivers are no longer required to get licences from authorities in whose areas they operate.

“Different authorities have different standards, meaning that some taxis are checked less regularly, and some authorities do not require the same signage that we require in Harlow. That has a huge impact on the taxi trade and, particularly in the case of signage, on the safety of passengers.

“Can we have a debate on this important issue?”

Lucy Powell, Leader of the House of Commons, replied: “I congratulate my hon. Friend on raising such a big issue on his first outing. As the Member of Parliament for Manchester Central, I know what a big issue this is for taxi drivers and others who are worried about safety and other issues. I will ensure that he gets a full response from the Department for Transport. This would make an excellent topic for an Adjournment debate, which I think would attract attention from across the House.”