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<p>The Government is responsible for setting the regulatory structure within which
local licensing authorities in England license the taxi and private hire vehicle trades.
The primary function of licensing authorities is to ensure taxi and private hire vehicle
services are safe; as regulators they should also consider the regulatory burden on
the sector.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is aware of concerns over driver shortages
in the sector and that some requirements set by licensing authorities to obtain a
licence are perceived to be acting as a barrier to entry. The Government has already
set out the high standards it expects the sector to meet to safeguard passengers.
The Government supports the proportionate regulation of the sector and will shortly
be consulting on guidance to licensing authorities on how they might best achieve
that while maintaining high standards in safety and accessibility. The majority of
the sector is self-employed where drivers work with a particular company it is for
that company to decide how best to recruit and retain drivers</p>
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