Court of Appeal on Congestion Charge

Today the Court of Appeal handed-down its judgement in the case of R (Independent Workers Union of Great Britain) v Mayor of London & Others [2020] EWCA Civ 1046 challenging the removal of a private hire vehicle exemption from congestion charging in London. The appellants contested that the “…removal of the congestion charge exemption unlawfully indirectly…

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Tax Checks on Licence Renewals

Today the HMRC announced proposals to introduce ‘New Tax Checks on Licence Renewal Applications’.  It states: “Licensing bodies will be required to signpost first-time applicants to HMRC guidance about their potential tax obligations and obtain confirmation that the applicant is aware of the guidance before considering the application. Where the application is not a first-time…

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DfT Publishes Statutory Standards

Today the Department for Transport (DfT) published its ‘Statutory Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle Standards’ (pursuant to s.177 Policing & Crime Act 2017).  It offers licensing authorities: “…statutory guidance on exercising taxi and private hire vehicle licensing functions to protect children and vulnerable individuals who are over 18 from harm when using these services…”  (at para.…

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Tribunal on Hairdressers Status

Today an Employment Tribunal in Manchester issued its judgement on a claim for holiday, sickness and redundancy payments. The case of Gorman v Terence Paul (Manchester) Ltd 2410722/2019 (16 July 2020) centred on whether the claimant, a hairdresser, should be classified as an “employee” rather than, as contested by the respondent, self-employed.  Employment Judge Batten…

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Coronavirus Regulations

Today the Government laid before Parliament the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020.  These regulations, which have been passed, permit “taxi or vehicle hire businesses” to continue carrying on as a business (at Reg. 5 and Sch. 2 Pt. 3).

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DfT Launches Regulatory Review

Today the Department for Transport announced the commence of its ‘Future of Transport Regulatory Review‘ consultation. The initial call for evidence asks “…how effective existing rules are around flexible bus services, and which other areas of the bus, taxi and private hire vehicle framework should be considered in this review…“.  A submission deadline has been…

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