Government questioned on statutory safeguarding training for taxi and PHV drivers

The Government has been pressed to toughen national rules on safeguarding training for taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers, after a written parliamentary question from Shadow Transport Minister Jerome Mayhew. His question asked whether statutory licensing guidance would be amended so that all licensing authorities must require drivers to complete safeguarding training and demonstrate safeguarding knowledge.

Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood replied that current statutory guidance already recommends safeguarding training for drivers, but she highlighted a more significant development: the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. The Bill, now before the House of Lords, would give the Secretary of State the power to set mandatory national licensing requirements, meaning safeguarding training could become a legal condition for holding a taxi or PHV licence rather than an optional local standard.

This exchange underscores long‑standing concerns about inconsistent safeguarding standards across England. While many councils already require training, others do not, creating uneven protection for vulnerable passengers such as children, care users, and late‑night travellers. National requirements would close these gaps, reduce the risk of “licence shopping,” and give the public greater confidence in driver vetting and safety practices.

The Government’s answer signals a shift toward firmer national oversight, but the outcome now depends on the Bill’s passage and the detail of any future regulations. Once the new powers exist, ministers could move from recommending safeguarding training to requiring it—reshaping licensing practice across every local authority.