The MP for Stockton South noted a need for a debate in Parliament in order to better protect taxi drivers.
Matt Vickers MP has today paid tributes to taxi drivers in the chamber, noting their integral role in our society and their key worker status.
From getting Stockton children to and from school, the elderly to the shops and accessing health services, or helping grow the North East's night time economy, Matt hailed their essentiality for many people's day-to-day lives.
Concerns were also raised regarding taxi drivers being increasingly subjected to physical and verbal assaults, as well as individuals who do not pay their fares.
Matt Vickers MP said:
Taxi drivers in Stockton South have told me that they are increasingly victims of assaults while simply working to provide for their families.
These drivers feel they have nowhere to turn.
They deserve our respect and today, I am proud to have called for a debate to better protect taxi drivers and to ensure those responsible for these crimes are met with the full force of the law.
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons, The Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP, responded:
Given the statistics that I cited earlier, we know that crime is falling. In particular, violent crime against individuals is down substantially—by 52%—and, of course, we have more police officers than ever before.
I am sure that the Home Secretary will want to hear about my hon. Friend’s particular concerns; I will certainly make sure that he has heard them, but my hon. Friend can also raise them with him directly in questions on 26 February. I thank my hon. Friend for standing up for the taxi drivers in his part of the world.
Matt also wished The Rt Hon Dame Eleanor Laing, Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Ways and Means, a happy birthday.
