Overview
- The Department for Transport published proposals today and opened a 12‑week consultation to shift taxi and private hire licensing from 263 bodies to 70 Local Transport Authorities.
- Greater Manchester would move from 10 separate licensing authorities to a single Transport for Greater Manchester system under the plan.
- Officials say consolidation alongside national minimum standards would improve enforcement and raise safety for women and girls using taxis and private hire vehicles.
- The measures are framed as part of the government response to Baroness Louise Casey’s audit on group‑based child sexual exploitation, which highlighted weaknesses from out‑of‑area working; Casey called the move an important first step.
- Industry and local reactions diverged, with the Licensed Private Hire Car Association welcoming the approach while Mayor Andy Burnham argued that merely reducing out‑of‑area working falls short of the outright ban he seeks, citing widespread Wolverhampton licensing.