AQW 9595/22-27

Mr Phillip Brett
Democratic Unionist Party
North Belfast

Tabled Date: 08/04/2024
Answered On Date: 03/05/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) whether his Department still intends to amend the Taxi Operator Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012, as per the notice issued to operators on 8 February 2024; and (ii) whether his Department has made an assessment of the VAT implications of such changes.

Answer:

A 2021 Court Judgement in England and Wales has prompted some taxi operators to review their current operating model to ensure that it complies with existing statutory provision.

The proposal to amend the current Taxi Operator Licensing Regulations (NI) 2012 has not changed, however I have not yet made a final decision on the need for subordinate legislation here. However, I should emphasise that any new regulations would not alter the current taxi regulatory framework. Rather, they would simply clarify the existing requirements of the taxis Act (NI) 2008.

Taxi operators may therefore wish to take legal advice on their specific operating model, including any associated VAT implications, to ensure compliance with the 2008 Act, as it already applies.