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The text of the letter is as follows: To The Rt Hon Jacqui Smith MP, Secretary of State of Home Office


I am writing to you on behalf of our members working in the private hire and chauffeur industry.

We have been advised in writing by the Public Carriage Office, who are responsible for issuing licenses to new private hire drivers and chauffeurs in London, that there has been a significant relaxation in licensing standards by the Criminal Records Bureau for new private hire drivers and chauffeurs in London. We understand that the Criminal Records Bureau has not required the Public Carriage Office to request a POVA check for every new applicant since April 2008 and that the PCO has complied with this advice since that time. Our members across the country also report similar problems with their licensing authorities.

GMB has campaigned for full and effective licensing of vehicles and drivers in the private hire and chauffeur industry for many years as the best way of protecting both the interests of drivers and the safety of the public. A key element of our call for licensing has always been the need for a full POVA check on all drivers, since the vast majority of chauffeurs and private hire drivers will at one time or other carry NHS patients, Social Services clients, young children, elderly day care and care home residents in their vehicles.

In many cases these drivers will be booked by the Local Authority, School, Hospital or Care Home who will have a reasonable expectation that the driver’s background will have been fully checked by the licensing authority involved. It is not the case that only specialist private hire firms undertake this work and that therefore POVA checks can be effectively targeted. With an estimated 50,000 drivers in London and a PCO estimated turnover of 1,000 drivers per week, we believe that full POVA checks and stringent licensing conditions for all new applicants is the only way of ensuring effective standards of public safety.

In addition, the POVA check also gives the public peace of mind, especially the many parents and carers of the elderly who regularly use private hire drivers to transport their dependents unaccompanied. The withdrawal of this crucial check will undoubtedly harm the public image of drivers. The check is important in ensuring the public feel safe when they travel by private hire vehicles.

Given these considerations, I would appreciate you clarifying the position. In addition, I would also be grateful if you, or more likely one of your ministers, meet with representatives of the GMB working in the industry, along with myself, so the drivers can explain their concerns and hopefully be reassured that this oversight will be corrected. I look forward to hearing from you in due course.
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REPRESENTATION FOR H/C P/H & TAXI OFFICE STAFF
Mick Hildreth
GMB PDB National Provincial Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Secretary

05.02.09

Vulnerable children and adults put at unnecessary risk with loss of background checks says GMB

GMB today called on the Home Secretary to restore the stringent standards for the licensing of all new private hire (mini cab) drivers, Hackney Carriage and chauffeurs. GMB has learned that the need for the

'Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) checks was removed by the Criminal Record Bureau in April 2008.

GMB, the union for professional drivers has written today to the Home Secretary seeking an explanation on why the Criminal Record Bureau has been allowed to waive the requirement for licensed mini cab drivers and chauffeurs to have their background checked.

Terence Flanagan, GMB Professional Driver Branch Secretary said, "In many cases these drivers will be booked by the Local Authority, School, Hospital or Care Home who will have a reasonable expectation that the driver's background will have been fully checked by the licensing authority involved. With an estimated 50,000 drivers in London alone and a Public Carriage Office (PCO) estimated turnover of 1,000 drivers per week, GMB believe that the restoration of the full POVA checks and stringent licensing conditions for all new driver applicants is the only way of ensuring the safety of the travelling public.

The POVA check gives the public peace of mind, especially the many parents and carers of the elderly who regularly use private hire drivers to transport their dependents unaccompanied. The withdrawal of this crucial check will undoubtedly harm the public image of drivers. The check is important in ensuring the public feel safe when they travel by private hire vehicles."