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Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Bill - Sitting 1

03 November 2021

Proposing MP
Hannah Bardell SNP
Livingston
Type
Public Bill Committee

At a Glance

Issue Summary

The statement discusses the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Bill and an amendment related to driver assessments based on DVLA standards. MP Hannah Bardell is discussing the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Bill, which aims to ensure public safety and wellbeing in licensing practices. The statement discusses the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Bill, focusing on clauses related to a mandatory database for tracking suspensions, refusals, and revocations of taxi and private hire vehicle licences. Hannah Bardell is thanking Peter Gibson for his speech and calling on Daniel Zeichner to speak next regarding the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Bill. MP Daniel Zeichner discusses the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Bill, addressing changes made since its initial introduction three years ago. Sarah Champion discusses the importance of the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Bill, highlighting issues related to taxi licensing standards and safeguarding vulnerable passengers. The statement discusses the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Bill and its importance in ensuring national standards for driver safety and safeguarding measures. Hannah Bardell is expressing support for the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Bill.

Action Requested

Sam Tarry proposes that the Committee adopt his amendment which would ensure that a driver’s risk to road safety is assessed in accordance with DVLA standards, rather than individual licensing authority assessments. He argues this will enhance consistency and passenger safety by addressing cross-border hiring issues and data sharing inconsistencies.

Key Facts

  • Licensing authorities are not required to share information with other authorities.
  • Local authorities use points on a licence for revocations instead of DVLA criteria.
  • The Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association believes the Government’s new statutory standards do not go far enough.
  • The Bill is based on recommendations from Professor Mohammed Abdel-Haq's review of taxi licensing.
  • It aims to improve consistency in licensing across different areas.
  • The Suzy Lamplugh Trust has been involved in campaigning for better regulation since Sian O’Callaghan’s tragic murder by a taxi driver in 2011.
  • Clause 4 allows designation of an existing system like NR3 as the national database.
  • Clauses 2 and 3 establish duties to record and use information promptly.
  • 11-year retention period for records is specified in the Bill.
  • The hon. Member, Peter Gibson, introduced the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Bill.
  • Daniel Zeichner, a previous promoter of the Bill, is called upon to speak next.
  • The Bill was first debated three and a half years ago but was talked out.
  • There are minor changes in terminology from 'out-of-area' to 'licensed in other areas'.
  • Zeichner refers to the National Anti Fraud Network data-sharing agreement which highlights that decisions must be made on individual merit.
  • Rotherham Council had low standards in taxi licensing that led to exploitation of vulnerable people.
  • Taxis often transport children and adults with special needs, making safety critical.
  • The Bill aims to improve safeguarding measures for passengers.
  • CCTV installation is seen as a key measure for passenger protection.
  • The Government issued statutory taxi and private hire vehicle standards last year.
  • Clauses 2, 3, and 4 of the Bill mandate the use of a national database (NR3) for refusals, revocations, and suspensions.
  • Clauses 5 and 6 introduce duties on licensing authorities to report concerns about drivers licensed in other areas.
  • Hannah Bardell endorses the hon. Member for Darlington's Bill.
  • The Bill aims to improve safeguarding and road safety measures for taxi and private hire vehicles in England.
  • It is noted that cross-party collaboration has been significant in moving the Bill forward.
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