Taxi Driver Online

TfL suspend minicab English language tests until September 2020

https://www.taxi-point.co.uk/single-pos ... ember-2020

12 Mar 2019

Perry Richardson

Transport for London has suspended the proposed new minicab English language tests until September 2020.

After nearly 3 years of campaigning on English Language Requirements for drivers in London, the LPHCA announced that Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, alongside TfL Taxi & Private Hire had heeded to the advice that the LPHCA and other trade organisations sent to the Mayor in January 2019.

Following Professor Mohammed Abdel-Haq’s ‘Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle Licensing: Steps Towards A Safer & More Robust System’ recommendations on National English Language Requirements and the government’s subsequent agreement, the LPHCA recommended to the Mayor that the 30th April 2019 deadline be suspended until a national standard is agreed.

Whilst this is not a total suspension, Chairman Steve Wright MBE has said: “The 18-month extension will give government, the industry, regulators and other stakeholders, the opportunity, to set out and agree realistic English Language Requirements for PHV & Taxi drivers nationally going forward.”

Mr Wright went on to say, “We are grateful that Mayor Khan and TfL TPH, have listened and we are extremely appreciative of the cross-party political support we have received from London Assembly Members, in particular Conservative Assembly Member Gareth Bacon, who brokered ‘politically neutral’ talks between the Mayor and Trade Representatives.”

Mr Wright continued “I wish to thank Eddie Townson, Jimmy Lazarou, Greg Mendoza and Steve ******** for the meetings they attended with us and the Mayor at City Hall. I would also like to thank LPHCA Members and others who have given via contributions to our fighting fund, which supports the work we do. Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who attended the dignified protest we organised at City Hall back in December 2016 when this campaign begun.”

Steve ********, GMB Regional Officer said: “This is a victory for common sense and I hope that an appropriate test that can ensure public safety and a good service will come as a result of the consultation

“GMB of course supports thorough testing to make sure that private hire in London is pre-eminent worldwide.”

why can these thick union reps not understand the BENEFITS of speaking good English

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Just what I was thinking as well and was in process of writing post about



Can understand why a minicab sp...er, I mean, a minicab boss's representative like Steve Wright (MBE) would support the suspension of the new tests, but can't understand GMB's stance on this.

I mean, presumably it will only be relevant to *new* drivers rather than some already in the trade that the GMB might represent?

London doesn't speak English anymore does it? It was only a matter of time before they dropped the English test.

Unions are losing the common man/woman members ,so they are targeting new recruits and they happen to be ethnics
just like the Labour party. This will be a more common approach in the future.