Taxi drivers in Leeds are to assemble this weekend to take a stand against cross-border hiring.

A statement today from Unite the Union has confirmed that cab drivers will rally on Sunday, with members arguing that the proposal to merge all taxi licensing authorities in West Yorkshire would worsen the issues produced by cross-border hiring.

Due to the Taxi Deregulation Act of 2015, operators have been able to carry journeys out in council areas outside the boundaries of their licensing authorities.

Unite has argued that the loophole has ‘created a market for licence shopping’, undermining the work of local drivers and interfering with councils’ ability to maintain rules and safety standards.

With the Casey review having outlined how unregulated taxi and private hire licensing poses a risk to women and children, Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, has urged the Government to implement better protections for drivers and passengers.

Instead of aiming to reduce licensing authorities, Unite has called for the introduction of a start or finish rule which sees that private hire journeys begin or end in the driver’s licensed area.

It has also advised the rollout of national standards for driver vetting, safeguarding and training, as well as giving councils stronger enforcement powers against drivers working within their regulatory reach.

Leeds taxi company operator and Unite member Mike Utting said: ‘Thousands of cross-border taxis are already coming to Leeds and picking up people without bookings and doing what they want. There are only five enforcement officers working a week – so it’s nearly totally unregulated. It has also greatly reduced the income of Leeds-based private hire and Hackney carriage drivers.

‘The proposal to combine all West Yorkshire’s licensing authorities would make it worse. Up to 10,000 vehicles from all over West Yorkshire would be able come to the city to ply for their trade. It would be total disaster for the public and taxi drivers of Leeds.’