'Big step' in bid to ban Wolverhampton taxis in Greater Manchester

Andy Burnham has hailed a 'big step forward' towards banning Wolverhampton taxis from operating in Greater Manchester.

The Greater Manchester mayor has welcomed news that the government will look at whether to give him responsibility over taxi licensing. In London, the mayor runs the taxi licensing regime, but currently outside of the capital this is the responsibility of councils.

The English Devolution White Paper unveiled on Monday (December 16) says that the government will consult on whether to give other mayors the same powers to address concerns over out-of-area taxis. The Manchester Evening News revealed this year that nearly 9,000 private hire drivers in Greater Manchester - around 35 per cent of the total - are licensed with Wolverhampton council.

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The M.E.N. understands drivers register in Wolverhampton instead of the region they operate in because it is regarded as an easier, quicker and cheaper licensing regime - although the council denies this. The West Midlands authority isn't doing anything illegal.

But it's left some cabbies in Greater Manchester feeling angry - and councils here can't do anything about it. Councils have also raised concerns that they have no control over standards of taxis and drivers in their area if they are not in control of the licensing regime.

The government says it recognises there are concerns about out-of-area working by private hire vehicles. And in the White Paper published earlier this week, it promises to explore 'how best to address these concerns' by giving mayors power over taxi licensing.

Responding to the announcement, Mr Burnham said: "I know there'll be two cheers if not three