The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act allows enforcement officers to suspend licences issued by other local authorities where a driver is operating outside their licensed area, and creates new national standards for taxi drivers.
In January, the Government consulted on proposals to reduce ‘out-of-area’ working for taxis and boost passenger safety.
Addressing concerns around taxi and private hire vehicle safety, enforcement officers will be able to temporarily suspend licences issued by another English authority where a driver or vehicle is operating outside their licensed area and there is a need to suspend a licence with immediate effect to protect the public.
The 263 licensing bodies will be cut to 70 Local Transport Authorities, simplifying the system, improving enforcement, and tackling ‘out-of-area’ working by reducing opportunities to seek out less stringent licensing rules.
Introducing national minimum licensing standards will also mean all drivers face robust checks, so passengers can feel safe knowing their taxis meet strict rules no matter where they are in the country.
Welcomed by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, these proposals form part of the government’s response to last year’s Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse audit commissioned by the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary, which highlighted ‘out-of-area’ taxi working and recommended more rigorous statutory standards for local authority licensing and regulation of drivers.
Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander said:
“It’s vital that authorities can act fast to stop dangerous drivers, taxis and private hire vehicles wherever they operate. These new powers will mean safer journeys for everyone with drivers still subject to the highest criminal background checks.
“Meanwhile, people shouldn’t have to dodge vehicles parked up on pavements as part of their daily routines. That’s why we’re giving local authorities powers to clamp down on pavement parking, helping to make our town centres and high streets open and accessible for all.”
Rolling out powers already provided in London, local leaders across the country will be able to enforce against pavement parking, delivering on a commitment made in the 2020 pavement parking consultation and building on the Road Safety Strategy published in January 2026. The measure will make streets safer and more accessible for wheelchair users, people with visual impairments, and parents with pushchairs, ensuring communities are accessible to everyone.
The change comes as part of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act, though I was disappointed that The Green Party, Reform, Conservatives and Lib Dems were among those voting against it.
Last week I was also delighted to meet with Unite representatives on cross-bordering hiring, supporting their campaign to go further, by bringing in:
- A Start or Finish Rule – requiring every private hire journey to begin or end in the driver’s licensed area (with sensible exceptions such as NHS and school transport).
- Cross-border Enforcement Powers – allowing local authorities to act against any driver or operator working within their boundaries.
Read more on the English Devolution Bill here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/english-devolution-bill-receives-royal-assent
Read more on the Government’s proposals here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-proposals-set-out-to-reduce-out-of-area-working-for-taxis-and-boost-passenger-safety
Read more on Unite’s campaign here: https://www.unitetheunion.org/campaigns/stand-up-for-taxi-and-private-hire-drivers