HARLOW MP, Chris Vince rose on the House of Commons to lead an adjournment debate on the subject of taxi licensing.

Many many taxi drivers in Harlow and behind have petitioned the MP on this subject.

The full debate is below.

Mr Vince said: “I give my sincere thanks to the Minister for taking time to engage in this crucial debate.

“Taxi licensing is not merely a technical matter; it strikes at the heart of issues of fairness and safety, and affects the livelihoods of hard-working taxi drivers in my constituency, in Harlow and surrounding villages such as Lower Nazeing.

Although this issue is of nationwide concern, as I hope is evidenced by the many MPs who will speak tonight, I will focus primarily on experiences in Harlow.

I am not here to rehash arguments surrounding the Deregulation Act 2015, which was introduced with the best intentions, but we cannot ignore reality and the unintended consequences of that legislation, which have left taxi drivers vulnerable, passengers at risk, and the integrity of local oversight severely compromised.