Immediate release
Attention: News desk, transport, industrial and political correspondents

BASILDON CITIZEN’S ADVICE BUREAU CAB DRIVERS SURVEY CONDEMS COUNCIL’S ‘FREE TRADE’ POLICY THAT IS HARMING DRIVERS
75% of Basildon’s cab driver work over 50 hours a week to earn as little as £100 gross

GMB today welcomed the results of a survey by the Citizen’s Advice Bureau in Basildon which clearly shows the Cab industry in Basildon to be severely suffering due to the councils "market forces" policies. The survey was carried out in the last two weeks and are based on 100 completed survey forms

The Citizens Advice Survey results – May 2010 show that during March 2010 and April 2010 that the policy of unrestricting taxi licences could be causing financial hardship, health problems and stressful working conditions due to long hours and a struggle to maintain vehicles that are accumulating high mileages due to the need to earn a basic living.

1) Over 60% of drivers are earning between £100-£500 gross per week from taxi driving
2) 98% of drivers stated that they are earning the same as the same period last year
3) 44% of drivers said they are behind with mortgage or rent payments
4) 92% of drivers said they have debts
5) 90% of drivers said their health had suffered as a result of driving work
6) 75% of drivers are on average working between 50-100 hours per week
7) 64% of drivers are driving between 20-50,000 miles per year in order to break even

Terry Flanagan, GMB Branch Secretary of the GMB Professional Drivers Branch said, “This survey from an impeccable source reveals what Basildon’s drivers have been telling this non-caring Council for years. Clearly the Tory Council’s slavish devotion to market economy policies has led to a public service descending into a dangerous situation, the hours worked for so little are clearly unacceptable, flooding the streets of the area with cabs is creating a time bomb waiting to explode.

How can any authority allow such or indeed encourage such practices. Many drivers report health issues which obviously affect drivers adversely. GMB believe that Basildon’s drivers deserve better and so do the public.

Why is it that other Tory Councils such as Bracknell listened to GMB and carried out an ‘unmet demand survey’ and imposed a limit on the number of cabs in their area? This Council quite clearly had the welfare of its citizens and its cabbies at heart. It is fortunate that this research could be put in view of the public on election day, GMB call for a massive vote for Labour which have agreed to carry out an ‘unmet demand survey’ and initiate its recommendations."

Ends

Contact: Terence Flanagan, GMB Branch Secretary of the GMB Professional Drivers Branch on 07958 275339 or Adrian Strowger, District Manager, Basildon District Citizens Advice Bureau Ltd on 07813 989336 or adrianstrowger@hotmail.co.uk

Anybody only making £100 gross for 50 hours should be jacking the job in as their outgoings are going to be bigger than their incomings...no business can survive on that.

I don't think our drop in trade has anything to do with the recession, i think peoples social habits have changed.
During the last recession, our trade dropped but not to the extent it has now, we were still moving and earning a decent living then!
our trade, like your's has dropped by at least 50%, people don't go out like they used to.
I blame the smoking ban, the high prices in clubs and pubs and the higher taxi fares.
Most people in our area tend to buy a couple of crates from the supermarket and go round eachothers houses to drink rather than go out, I can't say i blame them!
In our town, it is cheaper to get a hotel room for the night than get a return trip to the nearest city which is about 7 miles away!

will determine the amount of cabs that will most certainly drop over the next few years, that in turn will be a good thing as so many that are now in the trade thought it was going to be an easy way to make a living, which it was during the good times....

depends if these drivers that go and get a 'proper' job decide to keep their badge and plate up and cherry pick and come out at the busy times, which is already been happening in our town for quite some time, its these part time drivers that come out at kick out time and weekends that our killing us imo

GMB call for a massive vote for Labour which have agreed to carry out an ‘unmet demand survey’ and initiate its recommendations

People won't get into his car because it smells to high heaven.

We are lucky that we don't have any here as they have to pass a fairly stiff knowledge test to get their licence. Licensing here have made it as hard as is possibly fare under the limitations that they have.... I'm considered a part timer now!! I agree you have to be adaptable and this is what I do.... Good luck for the future and stick it out as I will

1) Over 60% of drivers are earning between £100-£500 gross per week from taxi driving
2) 98% of drivers stated that they are earning the same as the same period last year
3) 44% of drivers said they are behind with mortgage or rent payments
4) 92% of drivers said they have debts
5) 90% of drivers said their health had suffered as a result of driving work
6) 75% of drivers are on average working between 50-100 hours per week
7) 64% of drivers are driving between 20-50,000 miles per year in order to break even