Government’s assessment of Wolverhampton’s approach

Government ministers have issued a detailed response to concerns about safeguarding within Wolverhampton’s taxi and private‑hire licensing system, following a written parliamentary question about whether the council is applying adequate protections for passengers.

The Department for Transport said that all licensing authorities, including Wolverhampton, are expected to follow statutory guidance that sets out a series of safeguarding requirements. These include enhanced criminal‑record checks, barred‑list checks, and ongoing monitoring of drivers’ suitability. Wolverhampton Council has confirmed that it carries out daily automated checks on its licensed drivers.

The Government noted that it conducts regular national surveys to understand how councils are applying safeguarding policies. The next survey, covering 2026, is due to be published in the summer and will provide a fuller picture of how consistently the guidance is being followed across England.

Ministers also pointed to forthcoming legislation that would give the Secretary of State powers to introduce national minimum licensing standards. These powers are contained within the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, currently progressing through the House of Lords.

The aim is to reduce variation between local authorities, strengthen passenger safety, and ensure that councils issuing large numbers of licences apply the same baseline protections as those issuing fewer.

Wolverhampton has become one of the country’s largest issuers of taxi and private‑hire licences, with many drivers operating outside the city under cross‑border rules. This has led to questions from MPs, councils, and industry groups about whether high‑volume licensing authorities can maintain consistent safeguarding oversight.