To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any cross-departmental work or discussions in relation to potential changes to taxi operators’ licensing regulations, specifically in relation to (i) the impact it will have on taxi numbers; and (ii) the knock-on effects on (a) older people who rely on taxis for medical appointments; and (b) families with children with special educational needs or disabilities who rely on taxis to take them to school.

My Department is responsible for the regulation of the taxi industry, in relation to taxi driver, taxi operator and vehicle licencing. Within this regulatory role the department has no remit to influence the specific types of work taxi drivers or taxi companies undertake. The same applies to driver recruitment and retention polices, this is a matter for taxi operators.

With regard to the proposal to amend the current Taxi Operator Licensing Regulations (NI) 2012 you may wish to note that I have not yet made a final decision on the need for subordinate legislation here. However, I should emphasise that any new regulations would not alter the current taxi regulatory framework. Rather, they would simply clarify the existing requirements of the taxis Act (NI) 2008. I can also confirm that in considering the proposal my officials did engage with Transport for London and the Department for Transport.