Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in response to the report by the Chair of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Vehicle Hire Licensing issues, published on 12 February 2019, when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to enable national minimum standards in taxi licensing that would enable greater enforcement powers for licensing officers.

The Government will continue to engage with the sector on our plans for reforming the regulation of taxis and private hire vehicles, including options to introduce new legislation. The Department is supporting licensing authorities to make use of their extensive existing powers to safeguard passengers through statutory taxi and private hire vehicle standards, which will be issued shortly. The Department will consult on updated best practice guidance on other matters later this year.