My call for urgent taxi licensing reform to protect local trade

This week in Parliament I raised the urgent need for taxi licensing reform for Blackpool.

The current system is failing cabbies, passengers and our local economy. Vehicles licensed outside Blackpool continue to operate here and that’s having serious consequences. It undermines passenger safety, it costs our publicly owned bus company nearly £1.5 million and it holds back economic growth in our town.

In the House of Commons I asked Transport Minister Heidi Alexander to commit to reforming the licensing scheme so that vehicles and drivers are licensed locally, ensuring passenger safety while making sure vital taxi revenue supports our local economy.

The Minister confirmed the Government is considering legislation to tighten the rules on out-of-area vehicles, improve enforcement and set stronger national standards.

Since being elected, I’ve championed Blackpool’s taxi drivers in Westminster. I’ve highlighted how unfair competition from out-of-town operators is hurting livelihoods and draining resources that should be staying in Blackpool. Our local cabbies provide a vital public service. They know our town, they know our people and they serve our visitors safely. But they can’t compete on an uneven playing field.

This is about fairness, safety and protecting our local economy. Out-of-town vehicles are taking money away from Blackpool businesses, threatening jobs and putting passengers at risk. We need reform so that Blackpool’s drivers are protected, visitors are safe and the revenue generated here stays in our town where it belongs.