15/08/2026
🟨 GREATER MANCHESTER MAYOR HOPEFUL FOR NEW LAWS TO CRACK DOWN ON CROSS-BORDER WORKING
Greater Manchester mayor, Bev Craig, says she is hopeful the region will soon receive new legal powers to tackle the rising number of out-of-town private hire vehicles operating on local streets.
The issue has long frustrated local residents, many of whom have questioned why so many vehicles carrying passengers hold licences issued by distant authorities such as Wolverhampton and Sefton rather than Greater Manchester.
The topic was brought to the forefront during a recent BBC Radio Manchester hot seat programme when a Stretford resident named Bob questioned the mayor about what he described as an appalling practice.
Responding to the resident's concerns, Mayor Craig acknowledged that the situation has bothered local leaders for a long time. She explained that the region has been lobbying the government to change the law so that any PHV working within Greater Manchester must also be licensed locally.
"It’s something that’s been bothering us for a long time, we’ve all seen it loads of PHVs, be it Wolverhampton or Sefton, you see them coming in from out of town," Mayor Craig said.
"We’ve been asking the government, fighting the government for more power and a change in law, that would give us the power in Greater Manchester to have PHVs that are here working in GM, licensed in GM."
The mayor stressed that the push for local licensing is not an attack on specific councils, such as Wolverhampton, but rather a necessary step to ensure consistent safety standards.
She noted that local authorities need uniform rules regarding vehicle security, background checks for drivers and local route knowledge. Craig added that she is hopeful legislative changes could arrive during the autumn.
The issue has also received attention at the highest levels of government. Former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham frequently criticised out-of-town operators during his tenure, previously dismissing government proposals on the matter as inadequate before becoming Prime Minister in July.
Mayor Craig revealed that she spent a long time discussing the crisis with Mr Burnham and has even held direct talks with Wolverhampton council officials.
With her former colleague now leading the country, Craig remains optimistic that national action will close existing loopholes and standardise regulations across the UK.
She clarified that a national law would not prevent drivers from taking fares across borders, but would ensure that drivers are registered where they primarily live and conduct business.
