Questions around private hire drivers' working conditions surface once more in House of Commons
Questions surrounding private hire drivers' working conditions remain a topic of ongoing debate in the House of Commons.
Tan Dhesi MP, Chair of the Defence Committee, recently pressed the Secretary of State for Transport on the Government’s assessment of private hire drivers’ working conditions. However, Simon Lightwood, a Department for Transport Minister, responded by clarifying that employment law and working practices fall outside his Department's scope. Responsibility for these issues lies with the Department for Business and Trade.
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.”
The fragmented nature of oversight creates challenges. Private hire drivers often operate as self-employed workers, a status that historically has limited their access to employment protections like sick pay, holiday entitlement, and minimum wage guarantees.
In addition, the prevalence of app-based platforms has introduced new dynamics into the sector. While technology offers flexibility for drivers, it also subjects many to fluctuating earnings, algorithm-driven job allocation, and performance ratings that directly impact their livelihoods. Critics argue that these platforms prioritise consumer affordability at the expense of drivers’ financial stability.
Industry representatives and unions have long called for reform, advocating for a fairer framework that balances the benefits of flexible work with stronger protections for private hire drivers. With employment policy falling under the remit of the Department for Business and Trade, meaningful progress will depend on effective collaboration between departments to address these complex issues.
