MP Vince champions reform on CROSS BORDER taxi licensing and looks forward to future chamber debate
Updated: Jul 23
Chris Vince MP has voiced concerns over cross-border taxi licensing, addressing an issue raised by Harlow taxi drivers during his election campaign.
Speaking to TaxiPoint and in the House of Commons, Vince highlighted the need for urgent action to rectify the complications caused by the 2015 Deregulation Act.
Harlow’s taxi licensing demands stringent local authority checks. However, the 2015 legislation allows taxi firms to obtain licences from distant authorities, a process also commonly known as ‘Cross Border Hiring’, which makes consistent scrutiny challenging. Vince has called on Harlow Council to collaborate with other authorities to tackle this issue and is committed to advocating for Harlow taxi drivers and those affected by this practice.
Vince anticipates a thorough response from the Secretary of Transport and looks forward to a comprehensive debate on the matter in the House of Commons. His recent efforts have reignited crucial discussions about cross-border hiring, a persistent problem for the UK taxi industry affecting both drivers and passengers.
Vince MP told TaxiPoint: “It was an issue that was raised by taxi drivers in Harlow during the campaign and something I was determined to bring to the House of Commons at the earliest opportunity. Harlow taxi licences rightly demand a high level of scrutiny with regular checks from the local authority. However the 2015 deregulation bill means that taxi firms can acquire licences in other authorities, some many miles away, and therefore it is not possible to scrutinise them in the same way and with the same regularity.
“I have previously called on Harlow Council to work with other authorities to tackle this issue but now that I am an MP I am determined to champion Harlow taxi drivers and others effected by this issue.
“I look forward to receiving a full response to my question from the Secretary of Transport in due course and to have a full debate about this in the chamber."
Unite union in Harlow also shared their gratitude towards Vince for addressing the issue. A spokesperson told TaxiPoint that the union supports Vince’s efforts and urges residents to either use Hackney carriage vehicles or request Harlow-plated vehicles when booking private hire services. Unite also welcomes Harlow Council’s willingness to collaborate with the MP to resolve this matter.
A Unite union Harlow spokesperson said: “We as Unite in Harlow wish to firstly thank Chris Vince MP for meeting with Hackney carriage drivers prior to the election in which we outlined issues in Harlow which included ‘cross border working’.
“Unite thanks our MP for raising a very important issue not only in Harlow but across the country.
“We hope that this issue will be resolved in a timely manner giving confidence to residents that when they book a private hire vehicle that it will be plated by Harlow council. Until that time comes we ask residents to either use a Hackney carriage vehicle or asking for a Harlow plated vehicle when booking private hire.
“We will continue to support Chris Vince MP in everything he does regarding this matter and we wish him good luck.
“We are also encouraged to hear that Harlow Council is willing to work with the MP on this matter.”
