
Taxi and private hire drivers are facing a severe financial squeeze as fuel prices climb following the recent outbreak of conflict in the Middle East.
According to the RAC, average petrol prices have hit 139.64p a litre since the violence began, leaving many drivers struggling to stay profitable.
The National Private Hire and Taxi Association (NPHTA) warns that cabbies have taken "a huge hit" because they are legally unable to raise their prices on the spot. Because local authorities set the fares, drivers must wait through a lengthy bureaucratic process to adjust what they charge.
David Lawrie, director of the NPHTA, noted that it "could take up to six months" before fares change because the trade must present a business case to the council, followed by public consultations and committee meetings.
Ironically, the rising cost of petrol has actually led to more people calling for taxis. Lawrie explained that "when fuel prices go up, people are often far more likely to stop using their own cars and rely on the taxi industry instead."
However, this creates a difficult situation for the industry. While drivers are busier than ever, their overhead costs are eating into their earnings.
"They don't realise we need fuel as well," Lawrie added.
The price surge is largely due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for 20% of the world’s oil, following US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.
Lawrie also expressed frustration with fuel retailers, stating that "forecourts are putting the prices up before they've had a delivery."
This means drivers are watching costs rise daily even on old stock, leaving them with "no choice" but to absorb the losses for the foreseeable future.

The driver was reportedly approached by three men wearing face coverings who "threatened him with a knife and stole £200" before running away.

Aqeel Shakeel’s appeal was dismissed at Dudley Magistrates' Court following a council investigation that used "state-of-the-art technology" to prove his Audi A4 was equipped with the deceptive plates.

Council officers had suggested that future talks should only include senior staff and drivers to avoid "political bias" and "maintain impartiality in the council’s licensing functions."

The move comes as the county struggles with a sharp decline in taxi numbers, with figures showing that more than a fifth of licensed drivers - a total of 218 - have left the trade since the pandemic.

Terrence Harrington pleaded guilty to attacking driver Mahmoud Arras on December 20, claiming he was left at the "wrong street" while under the influence of eight pints of cider.

The move comes as the Granite City struggles with a severe driver shortage, with only 508 licensed taxis currently operating - less than half of the 1,079 allowed under the city's official limit.

While none of the drivers faced criminal prosecution between 2022 and 2024, officials confirmed that each individual failed to meet the city’s strict safety criteria.

The operation was led by 54-year-old Madjid Belabes, an Uber Eats driver who pocketed nearly £290,000 by charging people £1,200 each to be transported to mainland Europe.

A detailed report headed to the licensing committee compares the two cities' rules on driver checks, vehicle standards and enforcement rules.

Glasgow-based The Taxi Centre, has celebrated 25 years supporting drivers across the country, as the company prepares to move to new premises.

A joint enforcement operation by Roads Policing officers and Southampton City Council licensing officers stopped 24 vehicles operating in the city for full mechanical inspections.

The move, aimed at making women feel "more comfortable in the back seat" and "more confident behind the wheel," follows a successful pilot programme.

Taxi passengers in Inverclyde are facing an 8 per cent increase in fares after local councillors moved forward with plans to raise the cost of travel across the district. The proposal, which includes hikes to both the in

Derby city bosses have voted to soften a controversial rule regarding the age of private hire vehicles, raising the age limit for newly licensed cars from the suggested five years to nine years.

The company, Doctors on Wheels Ltd, is accused of submitting bogus medical forms to the DVLA for drivers seeking to operate taxis, buses and lorries.

Under the new agreement, daytime fares will increase by five per cent, while night-time journeys between 10pm and 6am will jump by 10 per cent.

Kieran Abercrombie, Robert Thomson, Kenzie Gardner, and Tyler Ramage carried out the attacks in May 2025 as part of an escalating "gangland war" between rival crime families.

The decision follows an independent survey which confirmed there is currently no evidence of "unmet demand" from the public.

Muhammad Saleem appeared before the Regulation and Licensing Committee after Police Scotland flagged a previous offence where he was clocked travelling at 95mph. 

Driver Mo, who works for Carrot Cars, was transporting a couple to the Royal London Hospital when they realised the baby, named Sven, was arriving much sooner than expected.
