National Taxi Standards added to Devolution Bill

The House of Commons has approved New Clause 49 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, defining “national minimum standards” and “regulated licences” for taxi and PHV drivers, vehicles, and operators.

This amendment, brought forward during Report Stage on 25 November 2025, embeds a new framework into the Bill that will require local licensing authorities in England to comply with uniform national rules.

The proposed new standards come after Baroness Casey’s audit into Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, which was published in June of this year. Since then, the government has acted fast to keep passengers and young people safe.
 
Under new rules, debated in Parliament on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, the Transport Secretary would have the power to introduce national minimum standards for taxi and PHV licensing – which would see all drivers, vehicles and operators subject to robust checks and requirements on safety and accessibility. 
 
An amendment to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment (EDCE) Bill, which was tabled last week (18 November 2025), would allow these new powers to be introduced.

Baroness Casey’s wide-ranging report made 12 recommendations for government, including addressing inconsistent standards of taxi and PHV driver licensing. The amendment would help protect passengers from the small number of people who seek to do harm and protect the reputation of the vast majority of the trade who are, as Baroness Casey acknowledged, ‘law-abiding people providing an important service to the public’.

Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander said:

While the vast majority of taxi and private hire vehicle drivers are responsible, passenger safety is our top priority. We are, therefore, working quickly and decisively to address the concerns around taxi and PHV licensing highlighted in Baroness Casey’s report. 

This amendment is a first step and shows the government is committed to delivering robust national minimum standards so passengers can travel with confidence.

These standards will be subject to consultation and will be primarily focused on passenger safety and accessibility. 
 
The progress has been commended by Baroness Casey, safety campaigners and the taxi and private hire vehicle industry.

Baroness Casey said:

The vast majority of taxi drivers are law-abiding people who provide a vital service to the public. Yet, for too long, weaknesses in the taxi licensing system have left it open to exploitation by those intent on sexually exploiting children.

I welcome this announcement as an important first step towards introducing new, rigorous standards that will help protect the most vulnerable.

The government continues to consider wider options for reform, including on out of area working. As part of this, the Department for Transport will shortly be launching a consultation on making all local transport authorities responsible for taxi and PHV licensing – reducing the number of licensing authorities from 263 to 70 – to help further increase consistency in standards.