MP is backing calls to close out-of-town taxi licensing 'loop-hole'

KARL TURNER HAS WRITTEN TO THE TRANSPORT SECRETARY

- By ANDREW SPENCE

A HULL MP has echoed Hull City Council's calls to tackle a taxi licensing “loophole” that allows drivers from across the country to operate in Hull.

At last month’s full council meeting, councillors unanimously backed a motion calling upon the Government to alter the licensing system.

The leader of the Labour Group on Hull City Council, Cllr Daren Hale, brought the motion to the council after The Casey Review (the National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) made a number of recommendations including the tightening of taxi licensing rules.

The concerns pertain to the licensing of private hire vehicles (PHVs) which, despite being licensed by a specific local authority, can operate throughout the country.

The process of getting a PHV licence differs from council to council. The application fees as well as the level of vehicle standards are set by each individual council meaning it is in theory “easier” to get a licence from some councils than others.

This has led to situation in which Hull City Council “is left with a lack of control over who operates on our streets and who transports our residents,” according to the chair of the council's licensing committee, Cllr Ted Dolman.