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Government axes plan to let friends and family drive taxis


Campaigners are celebrating after controversial plans to change who is allowed to drive private hire vehicles in Hampshire were dropped.

Government ministers have decided to axe plans to allow the family members and friends of hire drivers to drive the vehicles, after concerns it would put passengers at risk.

Cabbies, charities, police and politicians in Southampton had joined widespread opposition from across the country to parts of the Deregulation Bill.

Ministers said the plans would have freed many families from the need to run a second car and save money.

But opponents, who include Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Hayes and Hampshire Constabulary’s community safety and licensing inspector Justin Roberts, said removing safeguards could have led to an increase in cases of sexual assault and robbery.

Now that clause has been dropped, although the main Deregulation Bill, which contains other clauses allowing drivers to subcontract bookings to other drivers and end the annual renewal of licences, is set to become law.

Tara Doel, from Southampton Rape Crisis, said: “It is good news and welcomed that the proposal to allow anyone to drive a licensed vehicle when it is off duty has been removed from the proposed reforms. “I hope that the other two remaining clauses, which still pose safety risks and potentially increase the risk of sexual violence, are similarly removed.”

Rowenna Davis, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Southampton Itchen, said: “I am really pleased that the Government has listened to our concerns and dropped this dangerous clause from the Bill. “We have two universities and a busy night-time economy in the city and this change would have put travellers, especially women on their own, at much greater risk.”

Cabbie Perry McMillan, a member of Unite the union, said: “This proves the power of campaigning and lobbying against ill thought-out legislation.”

A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: “Public safety is our first priority – we listened to the concerns raised over this measure, and acted.

“After careful consideration we removed this as part of the Deregulation Bill.”

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/11606203._/

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