Unite has called on the Government to implement the recommendations of the 2025 Casey review on taxi and private hire licensing, citing ongoing safeguarding concerns.
The review highlighted risks to women and children from inconsistent licensing and the practice of cross-border or ‘out of area’ taxi hiring, where journeys are carried out outside a driver’s licensed local authority.
This Wednesday, Unite members will meet MPs to press for legislative reforms, including the introduction of a ‘start or finish’ rule requiring journeys to begin or end within a driver’s licensed area, national standards for driver vetting and training, and stronger local enforcement powers.
Unite national officer for passenger transport Wayne King said: ‘There is overwhelming evidence that out of area taxi and private hire working is leaving both passengers and drivers at risk.
‘Casey’s recommendations must be actioned. Heidi Alexander can close a loophole that will give vulnerable women and children greater protection from sexual exploitation.
‘The start or finish rule is an essential part of this. The government needs to implement this urgently and Unite will keep fighting for this to be put in place.’
A Government spokesperson said: ‘Our response to the Casey Review was clear – passenger safety is our top priority and we will take action to clamp down on rogue taxi and private hire operators.
‘That’s why we’re legislating to introduce a new national minimum standard for these services and consulting on giving all local transport authorities responsibility for issuing licences.
‘This is an important step towards reducing out-of-area working, strengthening oversight of individual operators, and reducing safeguarding risks.’
