Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for Transport has told the transport select committee that the Government has no plans to reform taxi and private hire licensing through the introduction of primary legislation.

Mr Shapps said the Government will instead be relying on statutory guidance to reform the licensing system to ensure passengers are safe.

Prior to Mr Shapps statement, the Minister of State, Department for Transport George Freeman MP suggested in a House of Commons debate that the Queen’s Speech will be used to introduce legislation.  However, this has not happened.

Daniel Zeichner MP, a long standing supporter of taxi and PH law reform, expressed his disappointment with the Secretary of State’s and has since gone on to submit and Early Day Motion seeking MPs support to promote “Safety of taxi and private hire sector”.  The motion states:

“That this House notes the hard work of the taxi and private hire trade, and that some of the legislation which governs licensing in the industry is dated back to 1847; recognises that new technology and changing transport needs mean than the UK desperately needs updated legislation; notes that the Government's taxi and private hire Task and Finish Group report from 2018, steps towards a safer and more robust system calls for new legislation, and that the report's introduction by its Chair, Professor Mohammed Abdel-Haq, states that undue delay would risk public safety and that the onus falls on the Government to improve legislation; notes that the Queen's Speech omitted any mention of a taxi or private hire Bill; and calls on the Government to introduce new legislation as soon as possible to improve safety in the sector.”