Concerns grow over taxi licensing and safeguarding standards in Wolverhampton.

Safeguarding concerns surrounding taxi licensing in Wolverhampton have sparked renewed scrutiny, with Conservative opposition leader Simon Bennett urging an immediate review of the city council’s practices. The BBC reported that his call follows the publication of Baroness Casey’s high-profile report on child sexual exploitation, which identified taxis as a known risk factor for grooming gang activity.

The heart of the issue lies in licensing figures: between April 2023 and March 2024, an estimated 96% of private hire licences issued by Wolverhampton City Council were granted to individuals living outside the city boundaries. While current legislation does not require taxi drivers to live or work in the area where they are licensed, critics argue that the scale of Wolverhampton’s licensing raises questions around oversight, accountability, and safeguarding.

In a formal letter to council leader Stephen Simkins, Bennett stated that it is “essential the council moves urgently to review and improve its processes, reassure the public, and uphold its duty of care.” He has also called for cross-party scrutiny and for the council to participate fully in a proposed national inquiry led by the Department for Transport.

“The current system is relied upon by hundreds of law-abiding drivers who expect fairness and trust,” Bennett said, adding that public confidence must be restored in the wake of the Casey review’s findings.

The council has defended its approach, insisting that safeguarding remains its highest priority. A spokesperson highlighted Wolverhampton’s leadership in adopting safety technology, including daily Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and smartphone-enabled licence verification. Officers are reportedly deployed nationwide on weekends to support enforcement.

“We do not benefit financially from licensing,” the spokesperson said, emphasising that fees are legally ringfenced and only used for related operational activities.

In June, government ministers announced plans to reform taxi and private hire standards nationwide, citing fears that some vehicles pose significant risks to children and young people. Wolverhampton Council expressed its support for statutory changes that would strengthen its ability to act on safeguarding concerns.

The motion for a licensing and safeguarding review will be brought before full council next week. It is expected to spark debate over the balance between regulatory obligations and public protection—and whether the city’s licensing model remains fit for purpose in today’s landscape.