Read my Conservative Home Article here: https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2019/02/nus-ghani-our-new-mea…
Wealden MP Nus Ghani has announced potential reforms to the rules for licensing authorities for taxi and minicabs. The changes would mean that passengers would be kept safer under strict new licensing guidelines, protecting vulnerable passengers from harm.
The new guidelines would improve safety with enhanced safety standards for taxi and private hire vehicles, which will be consistent across the country. New safety measures proposed include recommending councils ensure every driver undergoes enhanced criminal record and background checks.
The Government has also pledged to legislate on national minimum standards for drivers, establish a national licensing database and look at restricting drivers operating hundreds of miles away from where they are licensed.
As part of these minimum standards, the department will consider whether vehicles should be fitted with CCTV. These encrypted systems mean footage can only be accessed if there is a crime reported.
Nus Ghani, MP for Wealden, said: “While the vast majority of drivers are safe and act responsibly, we have seen too many cases where taxi and minicab drivers have used their job to prey on vulnerable people, women and children.
“These rules would make sure that drivers are fit to carry passengers, keeping people safe while stopping those with bad intentions from getting behind the wheel of a taxi or minicab.
“National minimum standards, a national licensing database and national enforcement powers will go a long way to ensuring passenger safety in Wealden and across the country.”
