Posted on the 2nd February 2026 in PHTM News

ANDY BURNHAM ANNOUNCES £445 MILLION FUND FOR GREATER MANCHESTER LICENSED PHVS

Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, has launched a multi-million-pound offensive to clean up the region’s PH fleet while squeezing out-of-area drivers from local streets.

Announcing a new £4.45m fund for PHVs on 30 January, the Mayor confirmed that drivers facing a 2026 deadline to meet emissions standards can now access £5,000 interest-free loans or £1,000 grants to modernise their cars.

The financial lifeline, which mirrors an existing £8m package for black cabs, comes with a strict “locals only” caveat. In a direct shot at the thousands of drivers operating in the region while licensed elsewhere - most notably by the City of Wolverhampton Council - Burn-ham declared that the cash is only for “those who have done the right thing and licensed with our authorities in GM.”

Addressing a GM Combined Authority meeting in Stockport, he framed the move as a reward for loyalty, stating: “We believe this funding recognises what our trade has been through. It backs our trade.”

The move is the latest escalation in a long-standing battle against the so-called “Wolverhampton problem,” where nearly half of the PHVs currently operating in Greater Manchester are licensed by external authorities. While the government recently proposed streamlining licensing bodies from 263 down to 70 to help curb the practice, Burnham argues that mere reduction is a half-measure. “It would not be good enough [to] just reduce,” the Mayor insisted, adding that “if reduce means practically end, that’s what we want.”

The Mayor’s administration is now looking to the capital for support, partnering with TfL to lobby for a total ban via an amendment to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

Reflecting on the frustrations of local operators, Burnham noted that “the challenge of out-of-area working is a significant complaint” and signalled that this funding is just one part of a broader strategy to ensure Greater Manchester’s streets are served by Greater Manchester’s drivers.


Read another story