Burnham plans overhaul of Greater Manchester taxi licensing system

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has launched a campaign to address what he calls a 'broken' taxi licensing system, highlighting that nearly half of private hire vehicles in the region are licensed by authorities outside Greater Manchester, primarily in Wolverhampton. Burnham argues this undermines local accountability and public safety, as local councils have limited control over drivers licensed elsewhere, making enforcement of standards more challenging. He is calling for new laws to end out-of-area licensing and for devolved powers that would allow city-regions to regulate taxi licensing locally. The campaign, 'Backing our taxis: Local. Licensed. Trusted.', also urges the government to support greener and more accessible taxis by extending relevant VAT exemptions and grants. A 12-week consultation and review of local licensing practices has been launched to gather feedback from drivers, trade representatives, and the public. The government has acknowledged the concerns and is considering improvements, stating passenger safety is a top priority.