Do I not believe these numbers
Couldn't really concentrate on anything else in here after reading the comparative numbers - particularly PHVs - increasing from 100 to 265 in a couple of years
And according to the latest DfT figures, there were actually 307 PHVs at 1 April 2026.
And I can't find the number 100 in the earlier figures either
It must either be something to do with the earlier amalgamation, and thus the figures aren't like-for-like. Or maybe it's a mini-me Wolves. But where the 100 figure comes from is anyone's guess.
But at least the 100 base figure makes the %age increase easy to work out
Data shows taxi numbers surge after licensing changes
https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/2666 ... g-changes/
Cumberland Council have confirmed that taxi licensing rules have changed amid a rise in licensed Hackney Carriages and Private Hire taxis.
Licensed taxi numbers across Cumberland have risen sharply since 2023/24, with Hackney Carriages increasing from 226 to 367 and private hire vehicles from 100 to 265 by 2025/26.
The council says its harmonised licensing policy, introduced on 1 April 2025, has contributed to the increase, including through the removal of the previous cap on Hackney Carriage licences in Carlisle.
Under the new framework, drivers are no longer required to pass a local knowledge test anywhere in Cumberland, although applicants must meet other requirements including enhanced DBS checks, medical and driving assessments, right-to-work and national register checks, tax requirements and spoken and written English testing.
Image: Copilot/News & Star
Cumberland Council says it has identified no evidence that the move to the harmonised system has adversely affected passenger safety or driver standards, and says the arrangements will continue to be reviewed.
A spokesperson for the council said: "Prior to local government reorganisation, the former district councils operated different taxi licensing arrangements, including differing approaches to local knowledge testing.
"Following public consultation, Cumberland Council's Regulatory Committee approved a single Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, which came into force on April 1, 2025 and introduced a consistent licensing framework across the Cumberland area.
"As part of the harmonised approach, the council adopted a broader assessment of driver suitability and public safety."
The harmonised test came in due to legacy councils having different testing policies when people applied for a licence.
However, the council confirmed that they no longer hold records of those who passed the Knowledge Test in legacy councils.
A spokesperson said: "Pass and fail outcomes from previous knowledge tests were recorded on licensing systems, while individual test papers were retained for a limited period to allow any appeals to be considered and were not retained long term.
"The council does not hold historical statistics on knowledge test pass rates."
Despite the removal of the Knowledge Test, the council says removing the cap and harmonising licensing has helped increase the number of taxis available, while maintaining safety through DBS, medical, driving and other checks.
But drivers are no longer required to demonstrate their knowledge of the local area before being licensed.
