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STV News
6 days ago
- Automotive
- STV News
Survey to determine if Edinburgh has too many private hire drivers
A survey to determine whether there are too many private hire cars in Edinburgh has been approved by Edinburgh councillors. It comes after a group of taxi drivers in the capital handed over a petition to city councillors last month, asking for a review to be carried out. The drivers had also asked for a pause to be placed on issuing new private hire licences while the survey was carried out. But at Friday's meeting of the Regulatory Committee, councillors did not back a Green group amendment that would have called for that. According to council regulatory services head Andrew Mitchell, tendering for a survey would take about 12 weeks, and data collection would take place in the first half of 2026. In a deputation to the committee, city taxi driver Keith Auld told councillors: 'We believe every passenger deserves a professional journey. But we are undergoing unsustainable pressure. 'This is not healthy competition, it is over-saturation. And it is already having real consequences. We need fair, sustainable and regulated competition.' Mr Auld and other city black cab drivers say that private hire drivers, many of whom carry out work for apps like Uber and Bolt, end up undercutting their trade. According to them, this comes down to the lower cost to buy and run a hire car, with the vehicles allowed for use as taxis being very expensive and requiring public hire insurance. In addition, fares for black cabs are set by the council, while Uber, Bolt and other private hire providers have no minimum charge. They also argued in their petition that due to the low incomes drivers get from those rideshare services, many of them work for dangerously long hours. Officers said that 2,982 private hire cars were presently operating in the capital, while 1,090 taxis were also running. Mr Auld said that three new private hire cars were being added in the city every day, and that the number would reach 4,000 'in no time'. After the survey is returned to councillors next year, they may consider putting a cap on the number of private hire cars allowed in the city. In the meeting, councillors were supportive of the idea of a survey, but the committee stopped short of supporting the temporary freeze on licence grants. Green councillor Susan Rae put forward an amendment that would have called for this, but Mr Mitchell said that if the committee voted for it, the law could be broken. He said: 'There is no legal power to issue a moratorium. There would be no basis in law to refuse to consider an application on the basis of overprovision [without evidence]. 'In my view, an immediate moratorium is not something that would be competent.' Liberal Democrat councillor and committee convener Neil Ross endorsed his group's motion, which called for a survey to be conducted. He said: 'It would be helpful if we had a workshop for committee members to discuss other issues and elements of concern around the current numbers of private hire vehicles. 'I would be grateful if that were factored in. I'm proposing that we proceed with the consultation and overprovision survey. 'I'm also proposing that officers are alert to concerns raised by all members of the trade who have issues around long working hours. 'I think this is a sensible way forward, it follows the guidance that we have been given by the Scottish Government, it is a legally robust way of approaching the question.' Labour councillor Margaret Graham put forward an amendment for the city's administration, which asked that any survey look at the number of private hire cars parked in city streets. Conservative councillor Joanna Mowat said: 'I'm probably alone in this committee in having very great nervousness about interfering in the market. 'There is an element with any cap that is introduced with numbers, the danger of creating protected markets. 'I'm uncomfortable with that, from a political point of view, my natural mean is to be uncomfortable with protecting markets. 'I do think the terms of the petition that has been brought here today, about the public safety element, is something that means we should probably consider this. 'I don't for one minute think this is going to produce the information that everyone else seems to think this is going to produce. 'But we're not going to know that unless we carry out an overprovision survey.' The Labour group added the Green amendment to their addendum, and the Liberal Democrat group added a portion of the administration addendum to their amendment. Both positions were tied, and as convener, Cllr Ross made a tiebreaking vote that saw the Liberal Democrat position win out. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Business Times
12-08-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Australia business mood brightens as activity holds up
[SYDNEY] A measure of Australian business confidence rose to a three-year high in July thanks to strength in services and construction, a survey showed on Tuesday, though rising costs also put upward pressure on retail prices. The survey from National Australia Bank showed its index of business confidence climbed to +7 in July, from +5 in June, the highest reading since August 2022. Its measure of business conditions eased to a still solid +5 in July, after jumping to +7 the previous month. 'Overall, the survey points to an improvement in activity through Q2 and suggests that the worries globally have not materially influenced local hiring and investment decisions,' said NAB's chief economist, Sally Auld. 'Generally, the services sectors, both consumer facing and for businesses, are stronger while retail and wholesale remain weaker.' Confidence could have been supported by expectations for lower borrowing costs, with the Reserve Bank of Australia widely expected to cut interest rates to a two-year low of 3.60 per cent on Tuesday. The survey's measure of business sales dipped 3 points to +11 in July, after a 9-point jump in June, while profitability eased 2 points to +2. In a cautionary note for the labour market, its measure of employment fell 3 points to +1. Official data in June showed a surprise jump in unemployment to the highest since late 2021 at 4.3 per cent and sparked worries about a weakening trend. Price indicators in the survey pointed to pockets of ongoing inflationary pressures. Notably, quarterly growth in retail prices accelerated to 1.1 per cent in July, from 0.5 per cent in June, while producer prices rose at a 0.9 per cent pace. 'The survey is consistent with improving economic growth, although still highlights the challenges around cost pressures faced by many businesses,' said Auld. REUTERS
Edinburgh Reporter
08-08-2025
- Automotive
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh Council agrees private hire survey
A survey to determine whether there are too many private hire cars in Edinburgh has been approved by Edinburgh councillors. It comes after a group of taxi drivers in the capital handed over a petition to city councillors last month, asking for a review to be carried out. The drivers had also asked for a pause to be placed on issuing new private hire licences while the survey was carried out. But at Friday's meeting of the Regulatory Committee, councillors did not back a Green group amendment that would have called for that. According to council regulatory services head Andrew Mitchell, tendering for a survey would take about 12 weeks, and data collection would take place in the first half of 2026. Taxi drivers passed the petition in to the council last week In a deputation to the committee, city taxi driver Keith Auld told councillors: 'We believe every passenger deserves a professional journey. But we are undergoing unsustainable pressure. 'This is not healthy competition, it is over-saturation. And it is already having real consequences. We need fair, sustainable and regulated competition.' Mr Auld and other city black cab drivers say that private hire drivers, many of whom carry out work for apps like Uber and Bolt, end up undercutting their trade. According to them, this comes down to the lower cost to buy and run a hire car, with the vehicles allowed for use as taxis being very expensive and requiring public hire insurance. In addition, fares for black cabs are set by the council, while Uber, Bolt and other private hire providers have no minimum charge. They also argued in their petition that due to the low incomes drivers get from those rideshare services, many of them work for dangerously long hours. Officers said that 2,982 private hire cars were presently operating in the capital, while 1,090 taxis were also running. Mr Auld said that three new private hire cars were being added in the city every day, and that the number would reach 4,000 'in no time'. After the survey is returned to councillors next year, they may consider putting a cap on the number of private hire cars allowed in the city. In the meeting, councillors were supportive of the idea of a survey, but the committee stopped short of supporting the temporary freeze on licence grants. Green councillor Susan Rae put forward an amendment that would have called for this, but Mr Mitchell said that if the committee voted for it, the law could be broken. He said: 'There is no legal power to issue a moratorium. There would be no basis in law to refuse to consider an application on the basis of overprovision [without evidence]. 'In my view, an immediate moratorium is not something that would be competent.' Liberal Democrat councillor and committee convener Neil Ross endorsed his group's motion, which called for a survey to be conducted. He said: 'It would be helpful if we had a workshop for committee members to discuss other issues and elements of concern around the current numbers of private hire vehicles. 'I would be grateful if that were factored in. I'm proposing that we proceed with the consultation and overprovision survey. 'I'm also proposing that officers are alert to concerns raised by all members of the trade who have issues around long working hours. 'I think this is a sensible way forward, it follows the guidance that we have been given by the Scottish Government, it is a legally robust way of approaching the question.' Labour councillor Margaret Graham put forward an amendment for the city's administration, which asked that any survey look at the number of private hire cars parked in city streets. Conservative councillor Joanna Mowat said: 'I'm probably alone in this committee in having very great nervousness about interfering in the market. 'There is an element with any cap that is introduced with numbers, the danger of creating protected markets. 'I'm uncomfortable with that, from a political point of view, my natural mean is to be uncomfortable with protecting markets. 'I do think the terms of the petition that has been brought here today, about the public safety element, is something that means we should probably consider this. 'I don't for one minute think this is going to produce the information that everyone else seems to think this is going to produce. 'But we're not going to know that unless we carry out an overprovision survey.' The Labour group added the Green amendment to their addendum, and the Liberal Democrat group added a portion of the administration addendum to their amendment. Both positions were tied, and as convener, Cllr Ross made a tiebreaking vote that saw the Liberal Democrat position win out. By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
08-08-2025
- Automotive
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh private hire car survey to be carried out amid concerns over rise of Uber
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A survey to determine whether there are too many private hire cars in Edinburgh has been approved by Edinburgh councillors. It comes after a group of taxi drivers in the capital handed over a petition to city councillors last month, asking for a review to be carried out. The drivers had also asked for a pause to be placed on issuing new private hire licences while the survey was carried out. But at Friday's meeting of the Regulatory Committee, councillors did not back a Green group amendment that would have called for that. According to council regulatory services head Andrew Mitchell, tendering for a survey would take about 12 weeks, and data collection would take place in the first half of 2026. In a deputation to the committee, city taxi driver Keith Auld told councillors: 'We believe every passenger deserves a professional journey. But we are undergoing unsustainable pressure. 'This is not healthy competition, it is over-saturation. And it is already having real consequences. We need fair, sustainable and regulated competition.' Mr Auld and other city black cab drivers say that private hire drivers, many of whom carry out work for apps like Uber and Bolt, end up undercutting their trade. According to them, this comes down to the lower cost to buy and run a hire car, with the vehicles allowed for use as taxis being very expensive and requiring public hire insurance. In addition, fares for black cabs are set by the council, while Uber, Bolt and other private hire providers have no minimum charge. They also argued in their petition that due to the low incomes drivers get from those rideshare services, many of them work for dangerously long hours. Officers said that 2,982 private hire cars were presently operating in the capital, while 1,090 taxis were also running. Mr Auld said that three new private hire cars were being added in the city every day, and that the number would reach 4,000 'in no time'. After the survey is returned to councillors next year, they may consider putting a cap on the number of private hire cars allowed in the city. In the meeting, councillors were supportive of the idea of a survey, but the committee stopped short of supporting the temporary freeze on licence grants. Green councillor Susan Rae put forward an amendment that would have called for this, but Mr Mitchell said that if the committee voted for it, the law could be broken. He said: 'There is no legal power to issue a moratorium. There would be no basis in law to refuse to consider an application on the basis of overprovision [without evidence]. 'In my view, an immediate moratorium is not something that would be competent.' Liberal Democrat councillor and committee convener Neil Ross endorsed his group's motion, which called for a survey to be conducted. He said: 'It would be helpful if we had a workshop for committee members to discuss other issues and elements of concern around the current numbers of private hire vehicles. 'I would be grateful if that were factored in. I'm proposing that we proceed with the consultation and overprovision survey. 'I'm also proposing that officers are alert to concerns raised by all members of the trade who have issues around long working hours. 'I think this is a sensible way forward, it follows the guidance that we have been given by the Scottish Government, it is a legally robust way of approaching the question.' Labour councillor Margaret Graham put forward an amendment for the city's administration, which asked that any survey look at the number of private hire cars parked in city streets. Conservative councillor Joanna Mowat said: 'I'm probably alone in this committee in having very great nervousness about interfering in the market. 'There is an element with any cap that is introduced with numbers, the danger of creating protected markets. 'I'm uncomfortable with that, from a political point of view, my natural mean is to be uncomfortable with protecting markets. 'I do think the terms of the petition that has been brought here today, about the public safety element, is something that means we should probably consider this. 'I don't for one minute think this is going to produce the information that everyone else seems to think this is going to produce. 'But we're not going to know that unless we carry out an overprovision survey.' The Labour group added the Green amendment to their addendum, and the Liberal Democrat group added a portion of the administration addendum to their amendment. Both positions were tied, and as convener, Cllr Ross made a tiebreaking vote that saw the Liberal Democrat position win out.
Business Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Australia business activity stalls in May as retailers squeezed: survey
[SYDNEY] Australian business activity stalled in May as consumers kept their wallets shut despite a cut in interest rates during the month, a survey showed on Tuesday, while firms reported increased pressure on profit margins. National Australia Bank's survey showed its index of business conditions edged down 2 points to 0 in May, well below the long-run average of around +6. Its confidence index inched up 3 points to +2, though that remained soft historically. 'By industry, the persistent weakness in retail business conditions and confidence aligns with the softer-than-expected pick-up in consumption over Q1,' NAB chief economist Sally Auld said. 'Our measures of profitability and trading conditions are notably weaker in retail than other industries.' Consumers have remained reluctant to spend despite rate cuts in May and February, and a slowdown in inflation. Markets are wagering the Reserve Bank of Australia will ease again in July given the economy disappointed in the first quarter. The NAB survey showed its sales index dipped a point to +5 in May, while employment dropped 4 points to 0. Profitability stayed weak at -4, with labour and purchase costs squeezing margins. 'We will watch whether there is a more sustained softening in labour demand, with the employment index easing to below average levels,' Auld said. The labour market has been resilient in the face of sluggish economic growth, with unemployment holding around 4.1 per cent for most of the past year. REUTERS
