Posted on the 18th September 2025 in PHTM News
CITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON COUNCIL CARRIES THE WEIGHT OF A NATIONAL FREE FOR ALL
A leading local councillor is calling for major changes to national taxi regulations, stating that Wolverhampton council's efficient licensing system is carrying the weight of failings across the rest of the country.
Cllr Simon Bennett, leader of Wolverhampton's Conservative opposition group, claims that the city is paying the price for a 'national free for all' when it came to issuing taxi licences.
In July the parliamentary transport committee announced an investigation into how standards for taxis and private hire vehicles could be improved, amid concern about inadequate regulation that varies from one area of the country to another.
Cllr Bennett notes that 96 per cent of taxi licences issued in Wolverhampton are for drivers who live outside the area, a result of the city's streamlined, fully digital licensing process, daily DBS checks and removal of unnecessary red tape.
"That innovation showed how modern, transparent regulation could work – but the national framework it operates within is now unsustainable," said Cllr Bennett.
"Wolverhampton’s success in streamlining licensing has inadvertently exposed weaknesses in cross-border enforcement, allowing vehicles licensed in one area to operate almost anywhere with minimal oversight."
He added that the council's ability to enforce the conditions on licences elsewhere in the country is near impossible.
Cllr Bennett also referenced Baroness Casey's review into child sexual exploitation, which highlighted "serious safeguarding failures," including inconsistent data collection on suspects and patchy oversight of drivers in some areas.
"Baroness Casey called for tougher, consistent standards for taxi and private hire licensing to protect vulnerable passengers, recommendations that mirror concerns long raised by Wolverhampton Conservatives," he said.
“Where the council has innovated, it has shown what can be achieved, but no single authority can carry the weight of a licensing system that has become a national free-for-all."
He concluded, urging the parliamentary transport committee to "deliver clear safety standards, proper enforcement powers and a framework that protects passengers and responsible drivers alike."
Read another story
- POLICE APPEAL AFTER CABBIE FINDS MAN COVERED IN BLOOD IN WARRINGTON TOWN CENTRE
A man was found "covered in blood" and unconscious on the floor in Warrington after a serious assault on Friday, September 12.
- MAN AND WOMAN IN JAIL AFTER KNIFE ROBBERY OF TAXI DRIVER IN NORTH LANARKSHIRE
The terrifying incident took place on September 9 of last year, when Mark Doyle, 36, and Jamie Lee Black, 29, booked a taxi shortly after 1am.
- TAMWORTH COUNCILLOR CALLS FOR UK WIDE UNIFORM LICENSING OR BAN ON OUT OF AREA TAXIS
The council has voted to write to the Government to express its concerns and demand regulatory reform in a move it said would protect passengers.
- ROCHFORD COUNCIL CONSIDERS EXPANDING TAXI RANK NEAR RAYLEIGH STATION TO IMPROVE SAFETY
The proposal, which calls for eight or nine taxi bays at The Approach Car Park, was part of a discussion during a Rochford Council meeting regarding a £96,000 car park revamp.
- NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL CONSIDERS MANDATORY CCTV FOR TAXIS
The discussion was prompted by The Casey Report, which audited practices for preventing child sexual exploitation and suggested making CCTV compulsory in all taxis.
- YORK POLICE SEEK INFORMATION AFTER TAXI DAMAGED IN CITY CENTRE
The criminal damage and public order offence took place on Monday, September 8, at approximately 1:30pm, at the taxi rank in Duncombe Place.
- ELMBRIDGE BC INVESTIGATES UBER ACTIVITY AT WEYBRIDGE STATION
Local drivers report months of loitering and illegal parking by Uber vehicles—waiting for work, occupying the rank and with TfL?licensed Uber vehicles parked inside the car parks.
- BRISTOL AIRPORT SEARCHES FOR FIVE-YEAR TAXI FIRM PARTNER
The successful provider has been promised a 'premium taxi office location' close to the terminal. The airport has also offered advertising support for the winning bid.
- CUMBRIAN TAXI BOSS FEARS FOR FUTURE AS COUNCIL GRANTS UBER LICENCE
The decision, which will allow Uber to operate directly in the south Cumbria area, has been met with anger from independent operators.
- INDEPENDENT CAB DRIVERS' PETITION AGAINST PROPOSED BOURNEMOUTH STATION TAXI RANK LEASE
The Bournemouth Taxi Rank Association, representing around 100 hackney drivers, has launched a petition against South Western Railway in response to the reported plan.
- PUBLIC TO HAVE A SAY IN DERBY PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE AGE LIMIT
The 12-week consultation was approved by the city council's licensing committee following pushback from private hire drivers over a "too strict" new policy.
- BOLTON COUNCIL REVOKES TAXI DRIVER'S LICENCE CITING PUBLIC SAFETY RISKS
The committee was presented with a history of misconduct, including a recent assault charge involving the driver’s daughter.
- NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL BANS TAXI DRIVER OVER TERRIFYING INCIDENT WITH VULNERABLE GIRL
The girl, Lottie Turner, was a passenger in an A1 Cars taxi on Wednesday, September 10, when the driver made an unauthorised stop to pick up a second, "vulnerable" man.
- KIRKLEES CABBIES DEMAND ANSWERS AS MILLIONS OF POUNDS UNACCOUNTED FOR
The issue was brought to a head during a September 15 meeting of Kirklees Council’s Licensing and Safety Committee, which was set to vote on a fee increase for hackney and private hire licences.
- BLACKPOOL MP DEMANDS URGENT LICENSING REFORM TO PROTECT LOCAL DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SAFETY
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, September 11, Chris Webb MP highlighted the negative impact on the local economy and the livelihoods of taxi drivers.
- STAFFORD COUNCIL APPROVES BLACK COLOURED CABS PLUS INTRODUCES NEW WAV RULES
Stafford Borough Council has updated its taxi licensing policy to permit black hackney carriages in the area, ending its long-standing rule that only white vehicles could be used.
- MONKEY DUST USER JAILED FOR STEALING CABBIES CAR IN STOKE-ON-TRENT BURGLARY
Geraldine Grocott, 39, pleaded guilty to burglary, theft, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.
- ENFIELD CAB DRIVER HAILED AS HERO FOR DARING MANOEUVRE TO AVOID FALLING TREE
Terry Williams, who has driven for Oakwood Cars for about ten years, was transporting two women on a rural road in Buckinghamshire when a tree began to fall in front of them.
- UBER APPLICATION TO OPERATE IN SOUTHEND SPARKS DEBATE OVER LOCAL DRIVER IMPACT
This comes seven years after the popular ride-hailing service was banned in 2018 due to safety concerns.
- NORFOLK WOMAN AVOIDS JAIL AFTER £10K EURO PET TAXI FRAUD
Jane Mollett, 49, of Gorleston, admitted to seven counts of fraud at Norwich Crown Court.
All content Copyright © 2025
Private Hire and Taxi Monthly Limited