MP welcomes news that Bradford Council has adopted 'taxi charter' - which includes one-off £600 grant for drivers

Bradford East MP Imran Hussain had proposed that Bradford Council adopt the charter as a way of improving relations between the local authority and the District's taxi and private hire trade.

Today Bradford Council announced the launch of its Taxi Charter that "looks to set out clear expectations of how the Council will work with our district’s taxi drivers to support this essential service."

Many in the taxi industry have raised concerns about how the Council - the local taxi licensing authority - deals with drivers. As recent as Friday dozens of drivers held a protest outside City Hall due to concerns over how a planned Clean Air Zone would impact the industry.

Mr Hussain has welcomed the announcement, and said he would continue to "hold Bradford Council to account."

The charter includes a one off grant of £600 that drivers will be able to claim from today as a way to support them through the final weeks of lockdown - a period that has seen taxi usage plummeting.

MP Imran Hussain speaks out about treatment of cabbies in Bradford

The five main points of the charter are:

1. Provide an excellent service for drivers with a robust grievance procedure and regular driver satisfaction surveys.

2. Provide a designated contact telephone line through which drivers can raise any queries, issues and concerns that must be addressed in a timely manner.

3. Deliver prompt responses to queries, issues and concerns raised by drivers, with dedicated appointment slots for urgent cases. (because of ongoing restrictions this will have to happen electronically at the present time).

4. Lead a service that aspires to be representative of all the diverse groups that we serve, and encourage and promote applicants from diverse backgrounds.

5. Support drivers to receive the financial and other help that they need both during and after the Coronavirus crisis to secure drivers’ employment and income.

Drivers will be able to apply for the grant up until 29 March and the Council will pay out the grant from the week commencing April 5.

The Council will email all licensed taxi-drivers in the district asking them to complete a simple form to confirm their eligibility.

The funding will be provided from the Government’s Additional Restrictions Grant for small businesses.

Susan Hinchcliffe, The Leader of the Council, said: “Our taxi drivers play a vital role in our district’s transport system. They have provided an invaluable service for our residents and businesses throughout the pandemic. The impacts of Covid will be with us for some time yet, so it is essential that we continue to support them through these difficult times to keep the district moving.

“We know that many drivers have struggled financially so this one-off grant will give them and the taxi trade a much needed boost so they can continue to play their vital role in keeping our district moving.”

Last year Mr Hussain criticised the Council for  “excessive delays” is issuing licences, and said the Council's treatment of taxi drivers during the difficult pandemic period had been unacceptable.

After the announcement, Mr Hussain said: “Bradford Council have today accepted my ground-breaking Taxi Charter, which will include a £600 support grant to help drivers through this difficult period, yet whilst this is a positive step in the right direction, I am clear that the Charter must provide a baseline level of service, not a ceiling, and I will continue to hold Bradford Council to account for their treatment of drivers across the District.”