MANCHESTER 

A man discharged by mental health staff attempted to take his own life on hospital grounds - before he 'rolled' onto a major road and died after being hit by a taxi, an inquest heard.

Daniel Kirton passed away at Manchester Royal Infirmary earlier this month.

On December 3, the 35-year-old visited the mental health team at the hospital.

He was then discharged.

Mr Kirton attempted to take his own life on hospital grounds, before 'rolling' onto Upper Brook Street. He was hit by a taxi at around 11.35pm.

He was pronounced dead on December 4.

An inquest into Mr Kirton's death was opened at Manchester Coroners' Court today (Wednesday).

Police coroners' officer Elizabeth Davies told the hearing Mr Kirton, who was of no fixed address and was unemployed, went to the hospital to see the mental team on the afternoon of December 3.

Ms Davies said that after he was discharged from hospital, he attempted to take his own life.

"He then proceeded to roll onto the ground and into the road on Upper Brook Street and was struck by a taxi," she added.

Coroner Zak Golombeck said Mr Kirton's mother; Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust; and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust would be recognised as 'interested persons' at the full inquest hearing.

Security guards at the hospital may also be able to actively participate in the proceedings, the coroner added.

"I will require a full file from Greater Manchester Police, which will include CCTV footage," Mr Golombeck said.

"I have seen the provisional results of the Home Office postmortem report and that lists chest injury as the cause of death, but I will await the full Home Office report.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/man-died-after-rolling-onto-19510758

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A Welsh MP will earn an extra £30,000 this year for doing less than 18 days of work.

Earlier in the year WalesOnline reported how former Wales secretary Alun Cairns was being paid £15,000 a year to advise Crumlin based BBI Group - a company producing coronavirus tests for the UK Government.

Since September Mr Cairns has also been employed in another role for Newport based company Veezu Holdings Ltd who run Amber Cars and Dragon Taxis.

For both of this roles Mr Cairns is being paid £15,000 a year for "up to 70 hours a year".

Over 52 weeks of the year, 70 hours works out as one hour 20 minutes a week.

In total, across the two jobs, he he is working less than 18 working days in total for £30,000 a year.

For both companies he is listed as a "senior adviser".

When WalesOnline approached Veezu to ask what exactly Mr Cairns would be doing to earn his enormous salary they did not provide any detail on his responsibilities.

A statement from the company said that 2020 has demonstrated "like no other year that a successful company needs to be agile and responsive".

Adding that they wanted to be "at the forefront of action" on environment, transport, sustainability, safe travel, and compliance".

The statement then said: "Alun Cairns is one of a number of advisors that supports us, playing a key role in enabling us to achieve industry-leading standards in our focus areas."

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/alun-cairns-money-job-vale-19511657

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Almost half of Northern Ireland's taxi drivers failed to apply for an emergency support grant set up by Stormont.

Payments of £1,500 were offered to drivers to help with their overheads following a massive drop in businesses during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

More than 9,000 taxi drivers were eligible to apply but about 5,000 applications were received.

Details were revealed at a Department of Infrastructure meeting on Wednesday.

The scrutiny committee heard from five taxi operators who are now seeking financial help for those businesses which run cabs.

Stephen Anton, from Fonacab, said there were a number of reasons why more taxi drivers did not apply for the grant.

Many had no access to computers to process the applications, he said, while others were unaware of the financial support scheme, which was open for a fortnight in November.

He said many taxi drivers had not returned to work and, as a result, operators have been forced out of business.

Eamon O'Donnell, from North West Taxi Proprietors, said 30% of their drivers had quit and will be hard to replace in the current economic climate.

Taxi operators provided an essential service to health workers and other key staff during the lockdowns, he said.

They were also on hand when families had to be moved into emergency accommodation overnight by statutory agencies.

In many cases, "coffers are now empty" and they need a meaningful support scheme to save firms from closure, Mr O'Donnell said.

On 29 October, Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said a £14m package would go directly to taxi drivers.

She confirmed it would be a one-off cash payment of £1,500 to each taxi driver.

Some drivers have criticised this amount, describing it as "a go-away payment".

They said this would not go far enough to cover lost earnings during the Covid-19 pandemic.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-55247480

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EDINBURGH

 A cabby has been hailed a hero for braving horrific weather to get a dad to hospital in time for the birth of his son.

Taxi driver Robert Aitchison battled through five inches of snow to get the un-named dad to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary earlier this month.

It came after mum  Rebecca Johnston, 22, went into labour while the country was plunged into chaos by heavy snowfall.

When her waters broke in the early hours of the morning, her partner faced a race against time to get there.

Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Rebecca said: “I was already in the hospital as I had been having contractions but nothing was happening so they sent my partner home.

"At about 3am my waters went so called my fiancé to come back in but by then the weather was really bad.

“He called round five local taxi companies in Penicuik and got no answer. It was just in time for our son being born. I honestly didn’t think he was going to get to the hospital.”

“Then he called Rab who was happy to give it his best go to get him to the hospital and, thankfully, he did. It was just in time for our son being born. I honestly didn’t think he was going to get to the hospital.”

The two week old baby, named Charlie, was the couple’s second child.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/hero-taxi-driver-braves-snow-23202817

BOLTON

A MUM-OF-THREE suffered a punctured lung and eight broken ribs after a devastating crash on Friday night.

Melissa Quigley was a passenger in a Peugeot E7 minibus taxi on St Peter’s Way in Bolton – travelling towards Manchester – at around 10.50pm when a car collided with it, near the Bradford Street bridge.

The other vehicle – which Metro Cars fleet manager Asad Khan was told by the driver that it was a silver Vauxhall – hit the taxi’s driver side rear door before striking the central reservation.

Mr Khan said the Vauxhall then veered into the minibus’ front tyre and wing, causing the taxi driver to lose control of the Peugeot before it came to a halt after hitting the ramp of a wall.

Major damage was caused to the taxi, including a smashed window.

The Vauxhall made off from the scene, police said, before emergency services arrived.

Melissa, from Tonge Moor, was taken to hospital, where she has been given morphine to help with the pain.

She was due to have an operation on her ribs yesterday, Monday.

The taxi driver suffered whiplash and arm injuries.

Melissa’s family launched an appeal for more information following the crash.

Her sister Victoria Parkinson, 30, said: “We were devastated when we heard about the crash and wanted to know what had happened.

“Melissa said she was flung over.

“For that to happen when you are in a taxi is scary.

“She is stable now but she suffered a punctured lung and eight broken ribs.

“It has been really shocking for us as a family.

“It’s difficult with it being so close to Christmas as well.

“It does not look like she is going to be out in time for Christmas which is upsetting for her children.”

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are investigating the incident, in which no arrests have been made.

A GMP spokesman said: “Police were called at around 10.50pm on Friday, December 18 to a report of a collision involving two vehicles.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/

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LIVERPOOL, 'Tier's for Souvenirs'

A total of 170 taxi drivers were stopped by officers in Merseyside this weekend as part of a joint operation from Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council.

On Friday and Saturday, December 19, 27 taxi drivers were issued with enforcement action from Merseyside's Road Policing Unit, including defect notices or suspension of licences.

The operation was carried out to deter taxi drivers from travelling to the region from Tier 3 areas and to identify uninsured or defective vehicles.

This was done in partnership with Liverpool City Council and City of Wolverhampton Council Taxi Licensing, and saw 170 taxis inspected in total, in line with Covid-19 and road safety regulations.

Inspector Chris Barnes said: “The threat of Coronavirus is still very real here in Merseyside and we simply cannot let our guard down, or allow any behaviour or travel which heightens the risk of infection within our communities. That’s why officers were out this weekend taking action against taxis travelling in from Tier 3 and other areas.

“As a result of the work of our dedicated Roads Policing Unit, defective and unlicensed vehicles, which can cause huge risks for companies, drivers and their customers were taken off the road this weekend.

 Manchester Council forced to reopen Deansgate

Manchester City Council faced a legal challenge from Diamond Buses North West meaning they will have to reopen a section of Deansgate to buses.

Part of Deansgate in Manchester City Centre was closed to traffic after the national lockdown to help with social distancing and to allow people to return to the city over the summer.

Manchester City Council’s website posted in earlier this year that: “Climate change and air quality are important drivers for this scheme, but there are many other benefits including:

increased footfall which will help boost economic recovery following the Coronavirus

health and wellbeing benefits from a safe traffic free space

“We want to create a family and age-friendly space, bringing more footfall and trade to the city through local markets and other community activities.”

However, after legal challenges from DBNW the council said they felt they had no choice but the reopen the road between Blackfriars Street and King Street.

https://tinyurl.com/y5hp667m 

 HM REVENUE TO TAX ONLINE PLATFORMS.

The UK is eyeing a multibillion-pound tax raid on rides with Uber, accommodation booked through Airbnb and odd jobs undertaken by TaskRabbit as it searches for new ways to plug the gaping hole in the public finances left by the coronavirus pandemic.

In a consultation document published by the Treasury on Thursday, officials cast the spotlight on the “sharing economy”, which has grown rapidly but enables many people to consume services without paying the normal 20 per cent of value added tax due on the products.

When self-employed contractors carry out the service booked on a platform such as Uber, Airbnb or TaskRabbit, they often individually fall below the £85,000 VAT registration threshold. If they were employees and the service was provided by the platform company, consumers would have to pay the tax.

https://tinyurl.com/y5ajz2q8

REPORT HERE : https://tinyurl.com/yyscov7h

 TXE AT AUCTION CURRENT BID £17,600

 TX4 EURO 6

    65 Plate TX4.  Current Bid £5600

MERSEYSIDE

 A teenage boy was taken to hospital with serious head injuries and roads were closed for several hours after a crash involving a scooter and a taxi last night.

Today Merseyside Police confirmed the 17-year-old rider of the scooter was taken to hospital after the collision at around 10.15pm in Old Swan.

Emergency services were called to to Prescot Road following the crash near to the junction with St Oswald's Street.

The driver of the taxi stopped at the scene and is assisting officers.

A witness appeal is now underway with police confirming the boy on the scooter suffered "serious head injuries".

Prescot Road was closed between St Oswald's Street and Queens Drive.

Just before 6am police tweeted to say the closures had been lifted.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "Officers from our Roads Policing Unit are appealing for witnesses to serious road traffic collision in Old Swan.

"At around 10.15pm (on Sunday), emergency services were called to Prescot Road near to the junction with St Oswald's Street following a road traffic collision involving a scooter and a taxi.

"The 17-year-old rider of the scooter, who has suffered serious head injuries, has been taken to hospital."

Witness and CCTV enquiries remain ongoing, police said.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/teenage-boy-suffers-severe-head-19411203

GMB NATIONAL 

There is no light at the end of the tunnel for drivers who desperately need help save their livelihoods and their sector

The UK’s taxi and minicab industry will collapse without urgent financial assistance, GMB has told the Chancellor.

In a letter to Rishi Sunak, the union outlines the importance of the country’s largest transport sector – which sees 350,000 drivers perform services from private journeys to NHS patient transport, school and vulnerable children transport services and vulnerable adult transport services.

Through the pandemic, demand has plummeted with many operators reporting an 80% drop in bookings month upon month.

Huge numbers of professionally licensed drivers have left the industry, while the serious financial hardship suffered by others has led to a sharp rise in mental health issues.

Yet the mainly self-employed drivers have fallen between the cracks when it comes to financial assistance.

GMB is calling on the Chancellor to meet to discuss how the sector can be saved.

https://www.gmb.org.uk/news/taxi-and-minicab-industry-verge-collapse

LONDON 

A taxi app has warned that journey data being sought by foreign governments could reveal the ‘intimate’ details of people’s lives.

London-based Wheely said authorities are seeking to hoover up information about users of transport apps. 

The firm says tracking information can reveal someone’s home address, where they work, how often they visit their GP and other details about their daily schedule.It has sounded the alarm with the UK Information Commissioner, in  particular over a dispute with Moscow’s transport department. 

Russians deny asking for information but wants live location data for ‘purposes of health and safety, traffic analysis, and infrastructure planning’.

But Wheely has refused to hand over the data saying it ‘goes beyond what is necessary in a democratic society’.

As a result its operations in the city were temporarily suspended in August.

The city government in Los Angeles has also faced criticism from Uber and civil rights groups for demanding real-time tracking data for electric scooters, and the Metropolitan Police prompted concerns when it emerged it receives thousands of pieces of data from Uber each year.

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-9027275/London-based-taxi-app-Wheely-refuses-Russian-demands-journey-data.html

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 A BRADFORD MP is "disappointed" by the council's response to her request for a change which she believes would benefit the district's taxi drivers, in the wake of an "anxious" period where drivers are "barely making ends meet."

Naz Shah, Labour MP for Bradford West, asked Bradford Council to extend the length of time between taxi drivers being able to replace their old vehicles with a new one.

Shah said she was of the understanding that all vehicles seeking to be re-plated must be less than 10-years-old, and for Hybrid or special access vehicles, 12-years-old.

She argued that, having spoken with private hire drivers in her constituency, some drivers with vehicles coming to the end of that 10 or 12 year-period were "extremely worried", as - amid COVID-19 - they did not have enough money for a new car.

Shah asked the council to use "any permitted discretion" to extend the age limit period for an extra 12 months, giving drivers with vehicles coming to the end of their age limit until 2022 to buy a new vehicle.

In response, Bradford Council highlighted the support it had given to taxi drivers during lockdown, which included providing them with free protective equipment and giving them temporary 'licence holidays'.

In her request, Shah said: "Given the unprecedented circumstances we find ourselves in, taxi drivers have really struggled over the last nine months. The drivers tell me that their loss of income has been devastating, many have had to rely on local food banks for support."

She added that she acknowledged "the flexibility the council has already shown to drivers since the start of this pandemic", before adding, "the future is still very uncertain and whilst people are slowly adapting to the new normal, restaurants, pubs, clubs and entertainment venues are still closed in Bradford.

"Taxi drivers have highlighted to me that their busiest period is at the weekend. However, due to the above venues not operating, drivers are struggling to make enough money to pay bills and feed their children, let alone save for a new vehicle, which can have a starting cost of around £4,000 to £5,000."

A Bradford Council spokesperson replied: “The taxi drivers of the district provide an invaluable service for residents during difficult times and we thank them for all they are doing.

“Times have been really tough for them with decreased footfall and we are working very hard to try and mitigate the effects of the pandemic on them and on the business community at large.

“So far, we have provided £233,000 worth of free protective equipment for drivers and their vehicles and allowed four months of free licences during the initial COVID-19 period, as well as letting drivers and proprietors to take a temporary ‘licence holiday’ to reduce their costs.

“The council is under government direction to reduce concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in the air to meet legal limits in the shortest possible timeframe and this means that government is likely to ask us to introduce a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) from the beginning of 2022.

“Because of this, we have been allowing taxis temporary extensions past their minimum age limit while awaiting confirmation of vehicle emission specifications for CAZ compliance.

“Following extensive consultation, a great deal of work is currently being carried out in order to provide licenced vehicle proprietors with a comprehensive grants package that will help minimise the cost of moving to cleaner vehicles to meet CAZ standards and these will be announced very shortly.

“Bradford has and is continuing to use as much discretion as possible to support the licenced trades during the pandemic and leading up to the introduction of the CAZ. The CAZ will ultimately benefit and protect all Bradford district residents, including those involved in the taxi trade.”

After this, Naz Shah responded with: "Bradford Council has done amazing work during the pandemic. Their work in supporting residents, establishing a local test and trace, even before any funding was provided for it, and reaching rates of 90 per cent tests locally has been exemplary.

"However, I am disappointed to say the council has got it wrong on this occasion, and I would urge it to reconsider its position.

"I recognise the support and leniency the council has provided for the taxi trade and businesses as a whole. However, we are still under Tier 3 restrictions where small businesses and those self-employed like taxi drivers still need support.

"This extension would only impact those drivers whose cars are reaching the 10 or 12-year limit and not the entire trade. A small extension of even six months could be the difference a taxi driver being able to work after Christmas or being out of work.

"We all must work to reduce the concentrations of nitrogen dioxide. Still, we must not on one hand support projects with far greater emission projections to go ahead, whilst trying to cut emissions by burdening a small number of taxi drivers during a pandemic, which could take them out of work."

Sahil Iqbal, Manager at Dial-A-Ride Shipley & Bradford Taxis based in Frizinghall, said: “In Bradford, drivers want to be making money but there’s no jobs coming in. It’s been very hard.

"We don’t even get that many jobs, this year the drivers haven’t made that much money. Sometimes they don’t even make £100 a day - to buy a Hybrid 11 plate, it’s about seven to eight grand.

“If the car’s alright and it’s passed, it’s perfect, then obviously they should consider it."

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/18926614.mp-disappointed-council-response-bradford-taxi-drivers-struggle-make-ends-meet/

STOCKPORT 

One person was taken to hospital and three other 'walking wounded' were treated by paramedics following a crash between an Audi and a taxi in Stockport.

Police, paramedics and firefighters were called to the scene following the smash at the junction of Kingsway and Gatley Road in Cheadle at about 9.25pm on Sunday.

Pictures show the badly damaged Audi in among a group of trees having apparently knocked down a control box for the nearby traffic lights.

A silver Mercedes taxi could be seen at the crossroads and debris was scattered across the dual carriageway.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/four-people-injured-after-crash-19370554

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NORTHERN IRELAND

The criteria for a COVID-19 support payment for taxi drivers should be changed urgently so all drivers can receive the support they need, Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has said.

She continued: "At a special meeting of the Infrastructure Committee today we heard directly from taxi drivers about the extreme financial pressure they are under and the urgent need to get support.

"Representatives from the industry set out clearly how some drivers were forced to suspend their taxi insurance in order to have money to be able to put food on the table to feed their families. The choice was that stark.

"It doesn't make sense that they should now be denied the COVID-19 support grant from the Department of Infrastructure for making that choice.

"The fact that the drivers who are most in need are being denied this payment is totally at odds with the concept of the rationale for the grant.

"The criteria needs to be changed urgently so money can get into the pockets of taxi drivers who need it most."

https://www.4ni.co.uk/northern-ireland-news/274199/urgent-criteria-change-needed-to-support-taxi-drivers

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SEFTON

Sefton’s licensed black cab and private hire drivers are set to receive a cash boost after losing income due to Covid-19.

More than 4,000 drivers will be eligible for a £100 support grant from today (November 30).

Drivers who are eligible will receive a letter sent to their home address containing details of how to access the grant.

Once approved, the drivers will receive their grant within five working days

The total cost, £400,000, will be covered by Liverpool City Region funding.

In a joint statement the leaders and mayors of the Liverpool City Region said: “We recognise the hardship experienced by our area’s taxi drivers, who have seen their trade seriously affected by the coronavirus restrictions.

“As leaders and mayors, we are continuing to press the Government for financial support packages that work for everyone who has seen their livelihood affected by Covid-19 restrictions.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/sefton-taxi-private-hire-drivers-19372384

LONDON

 Electric Scooters. Rental's only trial in London.

Pedicab's next. 2nd Reading of Pedicab bill January 2021.

 Thomas Tugendhat Chair, Foreign Affairs Committee, Chair, Foreign Affairs Committee

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many local authorities have (a) offered structural payment plans and (b) provided three month delays to payments for annual taxi licence renewals since March 2020.

(Citation: HC Deb, 28 October 2020, cW)

Rachel Maclean Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport has encouraged all licensing authorities to consider ways in which they can support the trade to continue to operate and provide essential travel. Any measures that authorities elect to introduce are a matter for them. The Department does not hold any data on payment plans or payment deferrals offered by licensing authorities.

----------------------------------------

Thomas Tugendhat Chair, Foreign Affairs Committee, Chair, Foreign Affairs Committee

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have had with independent taxi operators on reducing VAT to five per cent.

(Citation: HC Deb, 28 October 2020, cW)

Jesse Norman The Financial Secretary to the Treasury

The current structure of VAT rates raises a significant amount of revenue for the Government, raising over £130 billion in 2018/19. This plays an important part in funding the Government's spending priorities including hospitals, schools, and defence.

Changes to the current rate of VAT on the transport service provided by independent taxi operators would come at a cost to the Exchequer, and that cost would have to be balanced by increased taxes elsewhere, or reductions in public spending. Although the Government keeps all taxes under review, the Government has no current plans to change the VAT treatment of such goods.

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BLACKPOOL

For those residents without a car, taxis are a much needed lifeline around the resort, whether it is for a vital appointment at the doctors or just for bringing back the weekly shop.

However demand for taxis has once again nosedived after Blackpool was put into the Government’s Tier 3 regulations earlier this month.

Three of the biggest firms on the Fylde coast, Premier Taxis, C Cabs and Whiteside Taxis, have all reported noticeable drops in demand.

John Cutler, managing director of Premier Taxis, based on Lytham Road, said the firm experienced a massive drop in trade ‘beyond expectations’ which led to a lot of drivers leaving or self-isolating.

John said: “Then of course we had the bounce back which was beyond anything I’ve seen in the past 30 years. For a couple of weeks the hotels were full and everything was great again but we didn’t have the drivers that we had previously.

“It’s thanks to the local people, who we base the business on, for their support throughout this difficult period. It has ensured that we’re going to get through this thing, although we have incurred huge losses. I don’t want to really discuss the amount, but they’re huge.”

He explained how the taxi company is trying to rebuild but said it has had little support to do so

John said: “We are looking to the future and rebuilding effectively. That’s what we intend to do, we don’t think we’ve had the support we could have had, very little support in fact but we don’t want to think it’s all doom and gloom.

https://tinyurl.com/y478c4ne

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GATWICK taxi drivers are to protest against Uber claiming the app is causing them financial hardship.

Campaigners are calling for action over the amount of London-based Uber vehicles in and around Gatwick and Crawley.

They are holding a rally on Saturday, October 31, to call on Crawley Borough Council to step up the pressure on Transport for London and Uber, to limit the operations of London licensed vehicles in Sussex.

One taxi driver, Zak Ben said: "As taxi drivers we are embedded in the fabric of our communities.

"From business professionals to school mums, there isn’t anyone we don’t pick up and we know our town is struggling right now.

"We can’t afford to allow a multinational to take much needed business out of our local economy, it’s not on.”

Campaigners believe the silicon valley giant is causing hardship for local drivers whose livelihoods have already been hit by the Coronavirus pandemic.

A total of 800 local taxi drivers have signed a petition demanding action to rein in the activities of London based Uber vehicles.

On October 31, Uber is ceasing its operation from a designated waiting area within the Beehive lane industrial estate near Crawley.

There is now a great deal of uncertainty about where hundreds of Uber vehicles will move to.

Unite regional officer Jamie Major said it is wrong for a "a giant multinational with a controversial track record to damage local employment".

He explained: "Crawley's economic dependence on Gatwick airport means the town is being badly affected by the Coronavirus crisis.

"Local taxi and private hire drivers are launching a campaign to ensure Crawley Borough Council and other local councils pile the pressure on Transport for London and Uber to restrict London based Uber vehicles from picking up fares around Gatwick and Crawley.

"The drivers are calling for a fair and level playing field.

"It’s wrong for a giant multinational with a controversial track record to damage local employment. We urge the councils to take action to support the economy in and around Gatwick and Crawley."

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Chinese internet search giant Baidu has launched a self-driving taxi service in Beijing, the first company to carry passengers in autonomous vehicles in the capital.

With a fleet of 40 vehicles, the Apollo Go Robotaxi service covers a road network of about 700km as an autonomous driving test area. It has established nearly 100 pick-up and drop-off stations in residential and business areas in the Yizhuang area, Haidian and Shunyi districts of Beijing.

Passengers in Beijing can now hail autonomous cabs free of charge via Baidu Maps or Apollo Go apps without advance reservation.

The move has come after the Beijing-based tech giant opened its robotaxi service to the public in Cangzhou, Hebei province, in August – the first robotaxi coverage to a city's downtown area.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/taxi-wheres-the-driver/XG652QDKUGILJKTARQC5N66ANY/

 Bill Esterson Shadow Minister (International Trade)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what financial support is available for self-employed taxi drivers who have been told by NHS England to self-isolate due to underlying health reasons and who have been told that they do not qualify for bounce back loans because they do not have business bank accounts.

John Glen Minister of State (Treasury) (City), The Economic Secretary to the Treasury

The government is committed to supporting self-employed individuals through any period in which they have to self-isolate. Self-employed individuals may be eligible for “new style” Contributory Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if they are incapable of work due to Covid-19, including those who are required to self-isolate according to Government guidance. We have made it easier for people to claim new style ESA by removing the seven-day waiting period which means people can get support from day one. If they are on a low-income, they may also be entitled to a £500 self-isolation payment.

Individuals who are self-isolating can also access the wider support which the government has made available to self-employed people. In addition to bounce back loans, self-employed individuals may be eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) which remains open for applications and has recently been extended. The SEISS Grant Extension will last for 6 months, from November 2020 to April 2021.

This support for the self-employed is in addition to a comprehensive welfare offer: according to OBR estimates, the government has injected a further £9.3bn into the welfare system to support individuals who are unable to work or on a low income, including the self-employed. For those on low incomes, the government has relaxed the UC minimum income floor for all self-employed claimants.

The Government launched Bounce Back Loans on 4th May 2020 to ensure that the smallest businesses can access loans of up to £50,000 in a matter of days. However, decisions regarding which products, like business bank accounts, to offer remain at the discretion of lenders, and the Government does not intervene in these decisions.

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RMT Press Office:

TAXI UNION RMT today demanded national, regional and local support for the taxi trade as the exclusion of drivers from financial support packages leaves them facing bankruptcy. ‎

With the second wave of COVID - 19 now battering the whole of Britain, and with localised lockdowns in place, the taxi trade is currently in crisis with hard working taxi drivers facing financial ruin due to the decimation of regular as well as passing trade.

For many drivers this is further compounded by the huge financial burdens associated with purchasing the new generation of electric vehicles as part of programmes across the country to introduce environmentally friendly green taxis.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said

“The taxi trade is an essential part of Britain’s transport network and has played a key role in ensuring essential workers could get to their workplaces throughout the lockdown earlier this year as well as transporting sick and elderly citizens to essential medical appointments and getting people from the supermarket to their homes with food and other essential household items.

“It’s now time the Government’s across the four nations, as well as local councils, stepped in with financial assistance to ensure taxi drivers who are clearly key workers during this unprecedented pandemic avoid penury and suffering through no fault of their own.”

https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-demands-government-and-local-council-support-for-covid/

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At an online meeting of Falkirk Council’s executive on Tuesday, members agreed to put temporary measures in place in order to assist in the recruitment of more taxi drivers.

Members unanimously backed the policy and development panel recommendation to temporarily change policy to allow new Private Hire Car Driver applicants not to have to pass the Knowledge Test prior to the granting of their licence – with the condition they must pass the knowledge test within 12 months of the licence being granted.

They also agreed to temporarily waiving the application fee for a temporary private hire car driver licence where a full application has been simultaneously submitted.

Members heard many drivers had not returned to the trade following the coronavirus lockdown and there was currently a shortfall of around 55 taxis per day, which was having an adverse effect on school runs.

Councillor Robert Bissett said: “There are a lot of drivers who did not come back to the trade after lockdown and there is now a dearth of drivers. This is a temporary measure and it will allow people very quickly to become taxi drivers.”

Councillor Nigel Harris asked for reassurance the drivers would definitely sit their knowledge test in the near future.

https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/people/emergency-measures-falkirk-faces-post-lockdown-shortage-taxi-drivers-3003359

 Transport for London (TfL), the capital's transport authority, has banned Indian taxi app Ola over public safety concerns.

The cab company has been operating in London since February.

TfL said the firm reported a number of failings including more than 1,000 trips made by unlicensed drivers.

Ola said it will appeal the decision and has 21 days to do so. It can operate in the meantime, according to the appeal rules.

The transport authority said Ola did not report the failings as soon as it knew about them.

"Through our investigations we discovered that flaws in Ola's operating model have led to the use of unlicensed drivers and vehicles in more than 1,000 passenger trips, which may have put passenger safety at risk," Helen Chapman, TfL's director of licensing, regulation and charging, said.

"If they do appeal, Ola can continue to operate and drivers can continue to undertake bookings on behalf of Ola. We will closely scrutinise the company to ensure passengers safety is not compromised."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54412123

 Diana R. Johnson Labour, Kingston upon Hull North

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 25 September 2020 to Question 93554, what the scientific basis is for his Department's decision not to enforce mandatory face coverings for taxi and private hire drivers.

(Citation: HC Deb, 1 October 2020, cW)

Rachel Maclean Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport’s guidance for transport operators (Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer transport guidance for operators) advises that the risks of coronavirus should be identified through operator's conducting risk assessments. These inform decisions and measures to be put in place to protect both transport workers and customers. We continually review guidance for safer transport in line with scientific advice.

Evidence tells us that the most effective measures are social distancing, rigorous hand hygiene, not touching one’s face and good ventilation of fresh air. It is up to the operator to use their risk assessments to determine if face coverings are a practical and safe protective measure based upon specific job roles.

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2020-09-28.96010.h&s=Taxi#g96010.q0

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GLASGOW; Ear ! Ear!

A mum has been left with half an ear after it was bitten off and left on the floor of a taxi as she tried to act as a peacemaker between feuding sisters on a night out.

Gillian Furphy had been celebrating her brother Peter’s engagement in October last year when she was set upon by 22-year-old Amy McInulty.

Following the savage attack, half of her left ear was lying on the floor of a taxi.

The 45-year-old carer, of Glasgow, Scotland, was then rushed to hospital where she needed 19 stitches to close the 5cm gash.

But her nightmare was far from over, as just weeks later, her wound became infected, sparking deadly sepsis – when the body mistakenly attacks itself – which left her so unwell that she missed her brother’s wedding.

Appearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court in August, McInulty, of Royston, Glasgow, admitted assault and causing severe injury and permanent disfigurement, and was ordered to perform 210 hours of unpaid work, also being tagged and placed on a six-month 8pm to 8am curfew.

Gillian who is married to joiner Derek, 45, and has three daughters aged 24, 19, and 15, who she does not wish to name, remains furious that she was spared jail, saying: “I thought she would get a harsher sentence. Six months on a curfew is nothing when I’ve been left with half an ear.”

“The girl that did this is 22 – a similar age to my daughters. I just don’t know how anybody could act in this way,” she continued.

“It scares the life out of me. If someone can do that, what else are they capable of?”

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/uk-world-news/mums-ear-bitten-left-taxi-4569353

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LIVERPOOL

A 70-year-old grandad who spend nearly half a century driving a cab was forced to live in the back of his taxi after becoming homeless during the coronavirus lockdown.

John 'Ted' McMullen worked as a taxi driver for 49 years in Liverpool, yet found himself unable to work when his health deteriorated.

But thanks to the Torus Foundation, Mr McMullen now has his own apartment to call home, has become part of a community and feels safe.

Mr McMullen, from Dovecot, suffered a stroke prior to the arrival of the pandemic, but was still able to work as lockdown hit.

He moved into a supported accommodation complex on March 27, after losing his placement in a hotel.

From there he continued his job as a taxi driver for part of the lockdown period, but had to have minimal contact with other people.

Within a few weeks, Mr McMullen's health deteriorated and he had to go to hospital.

When he was discharged, he said: "I was told to pack up work straight away."

John 'Ted' McMullen in his new Kirkby home after being supported by the Torus foundation 

His mobility suffered and Mr McMullen then suffered a "number of falls", Torus said.

Mr McMullen told the ECHO: "I was living in the back of my cab for a while because I had nowhere to go.

"The staff [who helped] have been brilliant, just fantastic. They've really helped me a lot, because I was homeless."

Mr McMullen now has an apartment in Kirkby.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/grandad-who-spent-49-years-19029674

 Students at Manchester Metropolitan University have told of the moment they were met by security and police as they tried to leave their halls of residence.

Accommodation blocks at the Birley Campus, as well as Cambridge Hall have been locked down for a fortnight due to a cluster of Covid-19 cases.

Case numbers have soared to 127 across both sites, leading the council, university and Public Health England to take the drastic decision.

The handling of the situation has been heavily criticised by students, who claim they received no warning of the stringent measures.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/hmp-mmu-students-claim-were-19003637

LAST WEEK IN PALIAMENT

 Diana R. Johnson Labour, Kingston upon Hull North

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 19 September 2020 to Question 90961 on Cars: Hire Services, and the Prime Minister's statement on covid-19 measures on 22 September 2020, whether it is now mandatory for private hire and taxi drivers to wear face coverings at all times when working.

Rachel Maclean Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Face coverings are now mandatory for customers using taxi and private hire vehicle services, unless they are exempt from wearing one. Face coverings are not mandatory for drivers.

---------------------------------------

3rd SEISS Grant

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-self-employment-income-support-scheme#what-you-will-need

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A man who trains city cabbies has hit out at Glasgow City Council’s decision to delay the introduction of a mandatory driver certificate by seven months, describing it as as “seriously flawed”. 

Ross Blyth, head of Roadtrain Glasgow, is warning the authority will receive an influx of Taxi complaints as he fears drivers will fail to meet professional standards having not sat mandatory exams.

A committee held on Wednesday ruled that the certificate - named the introduction to the Role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver at SCQF level five - will be delayed until April due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The professional certificate examines drivers on nine mandatory units, including workplace health and safety, safety in transportation of passengers, professional customer service, maintenance and safety of the licensed vehicle, mobility and wheelchair assistance, routes and fares, transportation of luggage and parcels, safe transportation of school age children and licensing regulations.

Anyone wishing to become a taxi driver for the first time can still access the £400 qualification. But the issue has arisen for existing taxi drivers – who are obliged to sit the exam every three years with the renewal of their license badge.

 

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/18746409.glasgow-taxi-trainer-fearful-standards-mandatory-examination-delayed-due-covid-19/

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A NUMBER of Oldham taxi drivers are breaching regulations to combat coronavirus by gathering and socialising near a secondary school.

The Oldham Times was informed of the activities of the taxi drivers by a resident near to Oasis Academy in Hollins Road.

The drivers, from different local taxi firms, are parking in Mill Gate near to the rear goods entrance to the school, where restricted parking for two hours is permitted.

The Oldham Times observed three men in one of the vehicles with a Z Cars logo on the door. After approaching the driver, we asked him if they were from the same household and he said they were not.

He was then asked if he was aware that what they were doing was against the Covid regulations. He just shrugged and said: "We're just talking."

We understand there has been a longstanding tendency for taxi drivers to congregate at that location.

An Oldham Council spokesman said: “Everyone needs to follow the Coronavirus guidance that has been put in place to stop the spread, stay safe and save lives.

“You cannot socialise with anyone who does not live in your house, unless they are part of your support bubble.

“Oldham Council Licensing Team will investigate this incident.”

The Oldham Times has forward images taken at the scene to the town hall's licensing department as requested by the authority.

No-one was available for comment at Z Cars.

https_www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk

 New tax checks on licence renewal applications.

Who is likely to be affected ?

Individuals, partnerships (including limited liability partnerships (LLPs)) and companies applying for licences in England and Wales to either drive taxis or private hire vehicles (PHVs), or both, operate a PHV business or deal in scrap metal.

The measure also affects licensing bodies in England and Wales that administer those licence applications.

General description of the measure

Conditionality will introduce a check on tax registration (tax check) for renewed applications in England and Wales for licences to:

Drive taxis and PHVs (for example, minicabs)

Operate a PHV business

Carry on the business of a scrap metal dealer on a site

Carry on business as a mobile collector of scrap metal

An applicant who wishes to renew a licence will need to carry out a tax check. The licensing body (typically a local authority) will have to obtain confirmation from HMRC that the applicant has completed the check before being able to consider their renewed licence application.

Policy objective:

The hidden economy consists of individuals and businesses with sources of taxable income that are entirely hidden from HMRC. This deprives the government of funding for vital public services. The hidden economy tax gap (the difference between the amount of tax that should, in theory, be collected by HMRC, and what is actually collected) is estimated to be £2.6 billion for 2018 to 2019.

The hidden economy also distorts competition and is linked to wider rule breaking and criminality, including money laundering, health and safety violations, failure to comply with employment rights and immigration offences. HMRC is committed to levelling the playing field for legitimate businesses and has a continuing programme of operational work to tackle the hidden economy.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-tax-checks-on-licence-renewal-applications/new-tax-checks-on-licence-renewal-applications

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LAST WEEK IN PARLIAMENT

Daniel Zeichner Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

There are over 360,000 licensed taxi and private hire drivers in England, and the sector has been very hard hit. What assessment has the Secretary of State made of the impact on the sector, and will he tell us how he plans to measure the impact of his rather disappointingly weak statutory guidance issued back in July?

(Citation: HC Deb, 17 September 2020, c480)

Grant Shapps The Secretary of State for Transport

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right about the impact, and the same is true of many other forms of transport. I pay tribute to the work of taxi drivers and private hire vehicle drivers, who have been incredible during this crisis and have often provided the only form of transport available for people in certain areas.

The statutory taxi and private hire vehicle standards have considerable teeth, because for the first time ever we will have national databases, and we will put enormous work into ensuring that all local authorities and hackney carriage authorities sign up to those and use them. I will say more in the not too distant future about our support for taxis and private hire vehicles through the pandemic.

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Police investigating the shooting of three men in a Coventry street want to trace a taxi seen in the area at the time.

Extensive trawls of CCTV footage showed the silver Peugeot Tepee in Far Gosford Street at about 22:00 BST on Thursday, West Midlands Police said.

Officers believe the taxi driver could have valuable information.

The victims were less seriously injured than initially thought and one remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Detectives have described the shooting as an act of "outrageous violence" and want anyone with information to contact them.

"We are continuing with increased patrols and we have a dispersal order in place in the area," Det Insp Kat Sibley said.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-54224680

Staffordshire 

A terrified 11-year-old girl ran for her life after a taxi driver tried to lure her into his cab as she walked home.

The girl was walking past Blythe Bridge train station, in Uttoxeter Road, Staffordshire, when a car pulled up alongside her.

The cabbie – described as Asian with stubble and spiky black hair – then tried to persuade her to get in at around 5.30pm on Tuesday, September 15, StokeonTrentLive reports.

It is believed the same driver had approached the victim around an hour and 20 minutes earlier.

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/taxi-driver-tries-lure-schoolgirl-22703571

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LONDON PRIUS

This is the shocking moment an angry taxi driver threw his passenger to the ground by speeding away as he climbed out of the cab after a row over face masks.

Jay Henry, who lives in Hackney, east London, had ordered a Bolt taxi to drive him to his mother's house in Stanford Hill, north London, at around 11am on September 4.

But the 36-year-old, who works as a painter and decorator, claims he was left unable to work for weeks after suffering an injured back and foot as a result of the impact.

In the CCTV footage, the blue Toyota Pruis can be seen cruising down a residential road before swerving toward the pavement and coming to an abrupt stop.

The passenger in the back seat begins to open his door as the driver appears to turn around and speak to him.

Mr Henry continues to clamber out and places just one foot on the ground before suddenly the driver of the car speeds away.

He falls to the floor before looking over his shoulder in exasperation.

He manages to get back to his feet and walks steadily down the street in the same direction that the car drove off in.

https://tinyurl.com/yyprm97d

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 A Leeds councillor has called on the Government to compensate hundreds of taxi drivers who paid thousands for new eco-friendly cars, should a review conclude they were not needed.

It follows an announcement last month that funding of the £20m-plus clean air charging zone (CAZ) would be suspended while the authority worked with the Government to understand whether pollution could ever again reach illegal levels.

The CAZ was due to make a daily charge to buses, HGVs and taxis or private hire vehicles driving in certain parts of the city if their engines did not meet eco-friendly requirements.

Many self employed taxi drivers spent thousands upgrading their vehicles in readiness for the scheme, which was expected to be up and running in 2021, only to be told work on the scheme was suspended due to improving air pollution levels in the city.

Taxis and private hire drivers in Leeds have spent thousands upgrading their cars in preparation for a scheme that may no longer take place.

A conclusion of the review into the scheme is set to go before councillors in October’s council executive board meeting, but Labour councillor Javaid Akhtar claimed the government should pay drivers who upgraded their vehicles, should the scheme be scrapped

Coun Akhtar said: “Many businesses have suffered, and the private hire and taxi trade is no different. We know many hundreds of drivers have invested thousands of pounds in the cleaner vehicles.

“Can I now ask the executive board member to join us to campaign for a compensation for those drivers who have already invested in hybrids or electric cars, so the Government has to pay those drivers off during these difficult times.”

Coun James Lewis (Lab), executive board member for resources and deputy council leader, said: “The implementation is under review due to the improvement of air quality since March. It is important that the outcome is not pre-empted.

“I know many taxi and private hire drivers have been in touch since we instigated the review making similar points to those you have made.
“First of all, I would say we have to wait for the outcome of the review.

“Air quality has improved – if the review suggests we don’t need to implement a charging zone, we will make the case to government that the money allocated to us and remains unspent, we continue to support businesses to keep those vehicles on the road, and to invest in new clean vehicles.

“I know Coun Akhtar will make that strong case to the Government. We, should the review say we don’t need a clean air charging zone, will continue to do that.”

Plans for Leeds’s clean air charging zone would see older models of buses, taxis and HGVs travelling in areas around north Leeds and the city centre pay a congestion charge.

The fees would be administered via a £6m camera network, which would identify number plates of cars that didn’t meet green requirements so that drivers could be charged.

It was originally expected to be up and running by January 2020 but, following numerous delays from central government in creating a vehicle database, it was announced in July 2019 that the charging zone should be going live “some time in 2020”.

Last month it was announced that work on the scheme would be halted.

https://tinyurl.com/y694o9vl

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Independent taxi drivers in Inverness are implementing a new initiative to “reclaim the streets” in a bid to fight back from the downturn in trade during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Inverness Taxi Alliance chairman Andrew MacDonald, 75, owns several cars which trade under Caley Taxis and Black Mercedes Taxis, and hires his vehicles to self-employed drivers.

He is urging independent taxi drivers across the city to “reclaim your streets and your livelihood”.

He said: “Here in Highland there are over 1,000 taxi drivers, many are self-employed independents who depend on working the few available ranks.

“Too many are trying to share an ever decreasing slice of the cake.

“Many of this beleaguered section have no choice but to continue working to try and scrape a living. Times were hard prior to Covid – they are significantly worse now.”

Mr MacDonald said he is trying to bring together independent drivers to join an initiative which will provide a 24 hour, seven-day-a-week service which will take many away from waiting hours for a shout on a rank.

He added: “This is an appeal to all independent drivers to reclaim the streets and get their due without dues, reduce pollution and their fuel costs and maximise what work is available.”

Caley Taxis has purchased a phone system that incorporates both the firm’s advertised numbers as well as the drivers’ mobiles.

Calls will be directed to the drivers’ mobiles when a call comes in, and the first to answer will get the job.

The calls will be rotated in sequence to registered drivers.

Mr MacDonald said: “Obviously, an appropriate number of cars are needed to cover 24 hours/seven days will be required.

“This is therefore an appeal to local drivers to join what will basically be a workers’ co-operative – no dues, and no commission for the duration of this crisis.

“The only pre-condition will be that drivers will take a maximum of an eight-hour shift and be available exclusively to the number at those times.”

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/inverness/2496958/inverness-taxi-drivers-urged-to-reclaim-the-streets-following-pandemic/

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STAFFORDSHIRE

A terrified 11-year-old girl ran for her life after a taxi driver tried to lure her into his cab as she walked home in North Staffordshire.

The youngster was heading past Blythe Bridge train station, in Uttoxeter Road, when a car pulled up alongside her.

The cabbie - described as Asian with stubble and spiky black hair - then tried to persuade her to get in at around 5.30pm on Tuesday (September 15).

It is believed the same driver had approached the victim around an hour and 20 minutes earlier.

Sharing details of the incident on Facebook to warn other parents, her mum said: "My daughter came in and said that a taxi asked her to get in his car.

"He slowly drove up to her and she knew something was wrong. He also approached her a bit lower down the road too some time earlier.

"Please spread the word as I want to make other children aware.

"My daughter's fine and did the right thing by running straight home."

https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/taxi-driver-tries-lure-schoolgirl-4523108

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BLACKBURN

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after some taxi drivers say that tens of thousands of pounds in payments made to cab firms during the coronavirus lockdown have not been passed to them.

The row centres on council contracts handed out to taxi firms to provide school transport for pupils.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/18717367.probe-launched-lockdown-taxi-payouts-blackburn/ 

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A Burton taxi driver has been left feeling "sour and angry" over problems at Burton Railway Station.

Nabil Razzak says has been left out of pocket and lost customers after problems with parking at the train station in town.

He told Burton Live he pays £525 to East Midlands Railway, which runs the station, for a permit to operate there.

Last year, when train operator Network Rail undertook a major revamp of the forecourt, Mr Razzak says he was told it would take five weeks.

But it ended taking for six months, which caused a "drastic reduction" in drivers' income as he had to away from the station.

Mr Razzak, who has been operating in Burton for nine years, says drivers were told to park in Borough Road while the work was being carried out.

But parking wardens warned them they faced fines if they continued to park there..

They were then moved onto the bridge outside the station at the bus stop, but there there was only space for five vehicles when 29 drivers have permits.

Mr Razzak, of Envoy Taxis, says he was given no compensation or refund for the loss of trade he experienced, but the price of the permits have been frozen for two years.

https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/burton/angry-taxi-driver-demands-compensation-4520791

Ex Manchester Policeman

An ex-policeman who quit the force after admitting abducting a schoolgirl has won a battle to become a taxi driver 13 years after his conviction.

Imran Ali lured a 15-year-old and another girl into a vehicle after a night out in Manchester city centre in 2006.

The following year, the 39-year-old pleaded guilty to abducting a child under 16 at Preston Crown Court and resigned from the force having been based at Didsbury police station at the time of the offence.

Ali, of Merston Drive, Manchester, then applied for a private hire licence from Sefton Council in Merseyside earlier this year, even though he lived some 40 miles away.

Town hall chiefs turned down his application as he 'was not a fit and proper person', adding that 'driving a taxi is a privilege', the Liverpool Echo reports. 

Ali then appealed the decision at South Sefton Magistrates Court where Trading Standards Officer Mark Toohey said the panel had to consider 'whether or not we would be satisfied with a member of our family getting into the vehicle with this person driving. And in this case we would not be.'

However, the court was told the applicant was remorseful and rehabilitated, having worked to deliver food parcels to the needy during the coronavirus pandemic - an act which has seen him nominated for a number of awards.

He added that he was managing three different charities, had built up a property portfolio with 43 tenants and recently qualified as a civil engineer.

When asked why he wanted to drive a taxi considering his other employment experience, Ali said it was due to the flexible working hours, which would help him be able to study for another year for a degree.

He added that the waiting list for a private hire licence was much shorter in Sefton than in Manchester, which he suggested was more important than the distance from his home. 

The council follows a set of guidelines when it comes to granting licences, with individuals involved in an assault with a child given as an example of a situation that would require at least a ten year wait before such permission could be granted.

However, there is no such guidance on child abduction, as such cases come up so rarely, Mr Toohey said.

Having heard the evidence, the court reversed the council's decision and granted Ali his licence.

Magistrate Keith Elford said: 'Mr Ali's conviction dates back more than 14 years. Since then, he has successfully built a business portfolio and achieved qualifications, as well as starting a family. 

'During the Covid-19 pandemic, he has contributed significantly to the welfare of his local community.

'Sefton Council could not set a precedent for this type of offence. He is a fit and proper person for a taxi driver licence.'

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news

ABERDEEN

A taxi driver was conned out of £23,700 – and all it took was a single email.

The 55-year-old was buying a house and paid for a lawyer to handle the contracts when he fell prey to a professional hacker.

Less than 24 hours after doing the deal, the dad-of-four got an email from the legal firm’s address, instructing him how to pay.

The man followed that instruction – and was later horrified to discover the solicitors’ email account had been hacked.

Our in-depth investigation into fraud in the region has uncovered that there have been 73 frauds like this in the north-east in the last year – and the victims were fleeced out of a total of £1,961,057.64.

More than £900,000 of that was swiped in May of this year.

And the problem is getting worse: In the previous 12-month period there were 68 incidents, when the takings totalled £1,213.552.07.

Police have now launched a campaign urging people to be on their guard – an initiative backed by the taxi driver.

The man, who has asked not to be named out of embarrassment, said he wants people to do all they can to avoid becoming the next victim.

“This experience has made me more aware. When it comes to a large sum of money you’ve got to be careful. Think twice – three times in fact. Don’t take things for granted thinking modern technology is quite safe,” said the man.

The married dad of four has worked as a cabbie for several decades and saved up enough to buy property with his wife, earning rental income.

That was a success, so he decided to do it again in 2018 – and found the perfect property.

After agreeing a price with the owner, he found a lawyer based in Aberdeen, who he has chosen not to name.

The man said: “The property was buy-to-rent, and I’ve done that before. I brought the lawyer in to finalise the deal. I had dealt with this lawyer before and everything was fine, and he’s still my lawyer.

“At one point I thought – who is going to hack the email of a lawyer? The company I went with showed me they had a strong, secure IT system but the people who hacked them are professionals.

“There was nothing the lawyers could do to stop it.”

https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/

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EDINBURGH

Politicians in the Capital are being urged by Edinburgh City Council to vote against extending licence fee deferral periods for taxi and private hire car drivers.

In light of the coronavirus crisis, in March this year the council decided to place civic, taxi and private hire car licence fees on hold for a three-month period.

With the deferral period having expired in June, the council says that private hire car and taxi trade bodies are now requesting a further three-month extension.

Fees vary amongst vehicles, but generally to renew a taxi licence for one-year costs around £365 and to renew a licence to drive taxi or private hire car costs £118.

According to the council, loss of income to its Licensing Service between March and June will be around £740,000.

While officials have recommended refusing to extend licence fee deferrals, the decision ultimately lies with members of the council’s Policy and Sustainability Committee, who will vote on the issue at a meeting this Thursday.

Should committee members go against official advice and vote for a deferral extension, the council says this would raise overall loss of income to the Licensing Service to approximately £898,000.

However, Scott Blair, Chair of the Edinburgh cab branch of Unite the Union, says that taxi drivers plan to pay all licensing fees eventually and the council therefore should not be short of any income.

Rather than defer licence fees until September, because taxi testing centres have now reopened, Mr. Blair would isntead like to see drivers offered discounted fees.

Willie Thomson, regional officer for Unite the Union, said: “This is a trade in crisis, where the public use of cabs is down 70 per cent.

“It’s time for the City of Edinburgh Council to show its support for cab drivers in Edinburgh and we call for a reduction in the licensing test fees until the trade returns to pre-covid levels.

“Other licensing authorities have reduced or cancelled annual fees at this time and Edinburgh should follow these example.”

www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com

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BRISTOL

THE boss of a Wellington taxi firm has slammed Bristol Airport bosses after it quadrupled its 'Drop and Go' parking fees in little over nine months.

Paul Hickinbottom reckons the increase will cost his firm, Archie's Cabs, around £2,000 extra a year.

The fee to use the Drop and Go area at the airport, where people can park for up to ten minutes, went up from £3 to £4 on Friday. It had increased from £1 at the end of October.

"I was furious - they did this without any prior warning," said Mr Hickinbottom.

"We take 300 people to Bristol a year - most of them also require picking up when they return. That could be an extra 1,800 a year from when it cost £1.

"Our parking bill has gone up £1 each time a few months after they put it up £2 each time. I think it's profiteering.

"We're the cheapest firm taking people from Wellington or Taunton to Bristol Airport at £65.

"I can't just afford to swallow it up these increases, but this could finish us. It's naughty what they've done.

"I can't afford it. I don't want to keep putting our prices up, but I'll have to. It's the poor customers that ends up paying the bill."

A Bristol Airport spokesman said the fee was increased on Friday (August 14) as the intention is to see a rapid turnover of vehicles in the Drop and Go area, discouraging longer stays.

He added: "The tariff reflects its convenience and proximity to the terminal.

"In recent months the area has been enhanced and redesigned to provide improved dropping off facilities for customers with easy access to the terminal.

"The development work also includes an extended drop off area and the installation of an additional exit barrier using the latest technology number plate recognition and contactless payment facilities.

"Development work continues and the trials of a pre-registered cashless solution to improve customer experience is being considered.

"Customers who are dropping off family and friends who have a disabled badge, will continue to be able to use the Drop & Go area for 30 minutes free of charge.

"The Drop & Go area is only one car park available as customers have a choice of other car parking options including a free one hour Waiting Zone.

"The free one hour car park is located by the entrance to Silver Zone to the south of the terminal.

"Drivers can wait for 60 minutes free of charge in this area, before relocating to the collect customers from the car parks closer to the terminal.

"A courtesy bus transfer bus service is also available between the Waiting Zone and terminal.

"An alternative to the Drop & Go car park is the Short Stay and Pick Up car park, located opposite the terminal building and within a short walking distance.

"This car park is designed for drivers requiring longer stay lengths when collecting or dropping off family, friends and customers, the fee is £3.50 for 20 minutes."

www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk

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The importance of taxis for disabled people

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dptac-position-on-taxis-and-private-hire-vehicles/dptac-position-on-taxis-and-phvs

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