LEEDS CABBIES TO RALLY AGAINST TOTAL DISASTER OF CROSS-BORDER WORKING

Leeds licensed drivers and business owners are set to stage a major rally this Sunday, 26 April 2026, to protest "cross-border working" rules they claim are destroying local livelihoods and putting passengers in danger.

The demonstration, organised by the Unite union, will take place at the Bilal Centre in response to the issue of drivers who are licensed in one area working in another, often bypassing stricter local regulations.

Critics say the practice has encouraged "licence shopping," where drivers obtain permits from councils with the lowest standards and then flood cities, such as Leeds, to pick up fares.

Mike Utting, a Leeds operator and Unite member, warned that the city is becoming "nearly totally unregulated," with thousands of out-of-town vehicles operating despite only five enforcement officers being on duty per week.

The protest also targets government proposals to merge all West Yorkshire licensing authorities into one.

Utting described the plan as a "total disaster," predicting that up to 10,000 vehicles from across the region would descend on Leeds to "ply for their trade," further slashing the income of local drivers who follow rigorous city standards.

Safety concerns are at the heart of the dispute. The independent Casey review previously warned that inconsistent licensing creates "safeguarding gaps" that can be exploited, specifically putting women and children at risk.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham argued that current reform plans miss the mark, stating: “The proposed reforms will not solve the problems created by cross-border hiring.

"Unite will continue to hold the government to account until proper protections for drivers and passengers are in place.”

To fix the "broken" system, the union is calling for a new "start or finish" rule, which would require almost every private hire journey to either begin or end in the area where the driver is actually licensed.

They are also demanding national standards for driver vetting and training, alongside giving local councils the power to take enforcement action against any driver working within their borders, regardless of where their licence was issued.

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