When Indah Morgan came back to England in 2020, it was a time of despair. Her husband had recently retired and her job as a freelance bookkeeper was up in the air, with many of her clients having gone bust due to the pandemic.
It was an arguably divine intervention - a chance happening upon a Facebook advert - that proved her saviour.
She told the Nottingham Post "I was looking for something that would stimulate my mind and mean that I'm not sitting around all day," she said. "Then I found Think Pink."
Founded in 2016, the Think Pink project aims to recruit more females into taxi driving services across Nottingham and Derby.
In the UK, data shows that around half of doctors, 15% of engineers are female and 10% of pilots are female - compared to just 2% of taxi drivers.
"If there are female engineers, doctors and pilots," says 57-year-old Indah, "then why aren't there any female taxi drivers?"
She raises a good point. But Think Pink was not her idea. That honour belongs to Nottingham-based Mary Storrie - founder of the Rosie May foundation.
"I think the reason that there aren't many female drivers is because there is a misconception about what the job is," says Mary. "Many of our drivers have told me they thought taxi driving was just picking up drunk people late at night. The idea of that makes a lot of women feel unsafe and uncomfortable. But it's so much more than that."
Mary, whose daughter Rosie May was murdered in 2003, was once a teacher and a nurse. But in the last twenty years, her life has transformed completely and unexpectedly, with all her time now put into the charity, which became international.
Think Pink, which also aims to make taxis feel safer for female passengers, is the latest in a long line of projects dreamed up by Mary that have become a reality.
"I'm thrilled that we've had the fantastic response we've had from local women," says Mary. "It was a dream of mine and to do it in my home town is even better because I can be very hands-on with it. It's all about changing perceptions of taxi drivers and breaking down barriers."
Starting in Sri Lanka in 2016, the business was inspired by a tragic UN report that found that 90% of women had suffered "some form of sexual harassment" while using public transport.
The UK version launched a few years later and just a few weeks ago, seven years on, the project won the 'Excellence in Collaboration' award at the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce Business Awards in Nottinghamshire and landed Mary the gong for Entrepreneur of the Year.
Indah is now one of a fleet of 18 female drivers on Think Pink's roster. The project partners with DG Cars in Nottingham and Western Cars in Derby.
Before Think Pink, the two East Midlands companies employed a total of one female driver among 1,400 in total. The numbers have increased exponentially - but passengers are still not used to it.
"People are very surprised when they see a woman at the wheel," says Indah. "It's usually their first time seeing one. They ask me questions and make conversation because they're interested in why I've chosen this career."
The reasons are clear for her.
"It makes me proud and satisfied," she says. "I enjoy driving, visiting new places and meeting interesting people every day."
Indah, like many other drivers, was not aware of the freedom, enjoyment and income potential that the job could provide. Now, it's far from waiting for a call in the early hours to take someone home from a nightclub.
She drives the elderly to and from care homes and picks children up on the school run. Other jobs include trips to and from the airport and the hospital.
For now, those who request a DG taxi may be met with a Think Pink driver. But the numbers are still low - so it's a lucky charm if it does happen.
"The vision is that in the future, we have so many female drivers that female passengers can specifically request a female driver," says Mary.
Interested drivers can get in touch to find out more by calling Think Pink on 07470 512589 or by visiting the website.
Source: https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/meet-nottinghams-female-taxi-drivers-8981816
With less than a month to go to the Self Assessment deadline, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging nearly 5.7 million customers to file their tax return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year.
HMRC data shows almost 6.5 million customers have already beaten the Self Assessment clock by filing their tax return including 49,317 customers who used the New Year holiday to get a head start on their tax obligations:
25,593 customers filed their tax return on New Years Eve, with the most popular time being between 12:00 and 12:59, when 2,677 customers filed
127 customers saw in the New Year by filing their tax return between 00:00 and 00:59 on 1 January
23,724 customers filed on New Year’s Day, with the most filing between 15:00 and 15:59, when 2,354 customers filed
The deadline to file a tax return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year and pay any tax owed is 31 January 2024. Customers can submit their tax returns and pay any tax owed online at GOV.UK.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:
“The clock is ticking for those customers yet to file their tax return. Don’t put it off, kick start the new year by sorting your Self Assessment. Go to GOV.UK and search ‘Self Assessment’ to get started start today,”
HMRC has a wide range of resources online including a series of video tutorials on YouTube, help and support on GOV.UK, to support customers in completing their tax return.
The quickest and easiest way customers can pay their tax bill is via HMRC’s app which is free and secure. Information about the different ways to pay, can be found on GOV.UK.
Customers who are unable to pay in full can access support and advice on GOV.UK. HMRC may be able to help by arranging an affordable payment plan, known as Time to Pay for those who owe less than £30,000. Customers can arrange this themselves online. Go to GOV.UK and search “HMRC payment plan” for more information.
HMRC will consider a customer’s reasons for not being able to meet the deadline. Those who provide HMRC with a reasonable excuse may avoid a penalty.
The penalties for late tax returns are:
an initial £100 fixed penalty, which applies even if there is no tax to pay, or if the tax due is paid on time
after 3 months, additional daily penalties of £10 per day, up to a maximum of £900
after 6 months, a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater
after 12 months, another 5% or £300 charge, whichever is greater
There are also additional penalties for paying late of 5% of the tax unpaid at 30 days, 6 months and 12 months. Interest will also be charged on any tax paid late.
Customers need to be aware of the risk of falling victim to scams and should never share their HMRC login details with anyone, including a tax agent, if they have one. HMRC scams advice is available on GOV.UK.
A 27-year-old woman was left stranded in Belfast city centre as she was unable to get a wheelchair accessible taxi after her car broke down.
BBC News reports that Caitriona Brauder had to stay overnight in a south Belfast library, and was unable to use the toilet for 14 hours.
The disability transport charity Motability tried to get a vehicle on her behalf but nothing was available.
There are 354 wheelchair accessible taxis in Northern Ireland, down from 373 last year.
Ms Bauder said this is an ongoing issue and it is not getting better.
"I am a 27 year old adult - I should be able to go to Belfast myself and know that I have a way of getting home.
"I don't think there's been much change, it's pretty static and I think it's getting worse."
On Saturday night, Ms Bauder was in Belfast to celebrate an anniversary with her partner when things took a turn for the worse - her own adapted car broke down.
Catriona said she tried multiple taxi firms who said they couldn't help and it's not the first time it has happened.
"They [taxi firms] were making out it was a bad night, too late to get one and that the drivers that were driving these types of cars were off or seemed to be no luck that night.
"But that's not the case because it is happening all the time, it wasn't just that night," she added.
A Department for Infrastructure spokesperson said there are currently 354 wheelchair accessible taxis of the kind that can be hailed and pre-booked, but said there might be others operating along set routes or as chauffeur services.
In the end, Caitriona was forced to take shelter in a library and waited 14 hours with no toilet access until a friend could drive her home to Dungannon in an accessible car.
"100% grateful that we had that [library option], without it we wouldn't have had anywhere else to go.
"I don't know what would have happened but it's not ideal at all and it also raises the other issue of having no accessible Changing Places toilet that I can use as well. So it was 14 hours of needing to use the bathroom and I couldn't."
Caitriona said she contacted Motability, a charity that helps disabled people get accessible transport.
"The Motability service started ringing ambulance services, they were ringing airport services to get anything - trying every possible option that they could."
Ms Bauder said she is still getting over what happened,
"I'm still trying to get back to what I was before. Sitting all night in a chair is not good for me and I have had pain and discomfort and generally not feeling good from that.
"It's not just one night of discomfort," she added.
Soiurce: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-67771044.amp
A private hire driver has been prosecuted for refusing to allow a guide dog into his vehicle.
The St Helens Star reports that responding to a complaint from a member of the public, St Helens Council’s licensing department filed a case against taxi driver Florin-Constantin Caliman.
Following an investigation, Constantin Caliman from Wigan, was prosecuted for failure to carry a disabled person who was accompanied by an assistance dog under the provisions of The Equality Act 2010.
After pleading guilty at Liverpool Magistrates' Court, the driver was ordered to pay an £80 fine, £120 in costs and a £32 victim surcharge.
Welcoming the outcome, Councillor Kate Grocutt, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy, Business and Skills, said: "The main duty of the licensing authority is public safety.
"The council takes its public protection role very seriously and is aware that disabled people are particularly reliant on taxi and private hire vehicle services.
"Assistance dogs are vital to their owners' safety and licensed drivers are required under the Equality Act 2010 to carry assistance dogs with their owners.
“The council will not hesitate to take robust action when required to investigate and prosecute licensees in response to cases of discrimination to ensure that all operators and licensed drivers treat their role in providing an inclusive service seriously.”
Source: https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/24003750.wigan-taxi-driver-prosecuted-refusing-guide-dog-car/
Cannock Chase Council will be using the services of taxi marshals over the festive period to ensure the safety of partygoers returning home after a night out.
The initiative, which has been arranged by the Council’s Community Safety Team, will see taxi marshals present at Cannock’s taxi rank between the hours of 10pm and 4am on selected dates over the holiday season.
It is expected that the taxi marshals will play a vital role in ensuring the safe and orderly use of the taxi rank- whilst also helping to reduce crime, anti-social behaviour, and helping to safeguard those who are vulnerable.
The marshals will also have access to Nitenet radios, which link several venues with the Council’s 24hr CCTV control room, allowing for greater communication between the night-time economy which will further assist in keeping the town centre a safe and enjoyable location.
Following the festive period, taxi marshals will return to the district from March onwards, until the end of 2024, at weekends and on selected dates.
Councillor Jo Elson, Portfolio Leader for Community Wellbeing, said “I am thrilled to see the arrival of taxi marshals in Cannock, they will help to create a welcoming atmosphere for our town centre.
"I expect them to be the eyes and ears of the nighttime economy, and schemes elsewhere across the country have demonstrated how effective they can be at reducing disorder and increasing the safety of residents and visitors.”
Inspector Chris Moss, Deputy Local Policing Commander said “As a local policing team we welcome this initiative from the district council.
"Taxi marshalls are used in other town centres already and the benefits are clear. We want people to be able to visit the town safely at all times of the day and this scheme will work alongside local policing to ensure that safety.”
The taxi marshals have been funded as part of the Government Safer Streets 5 initiative, whereby investments will be made within Cannock South and West to prevent and address anti-social behaviour and associated crime. This was following a successful bid by the Staffordshire Commissioner’s Office.
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Ben Adams said “Under the latest round of Safer Streets funding, Cannock received £500,000 for a range of practical interventions, such as this taxi marshal scheme, which will make a real difference to people’s safety and confidence when enjoying nights out.
“This is part of over £5 million which my office has secured from government funding streams since 2020, as part of Staffordshire’s preventative approach to reducing anti-social behaviour and violence more broadly.”
Chinese automotive giant Geely has deepened its commitment to the UK electric vehicle market with a £120m cash injection into London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC).
North Tyneside Council is facing a backlash over plans to increase taxi fares by 6.3%.
Nazim Asmal preyed on his victims after nights out in Preston and Darwen, driving them to secluded spots before carrying out horrific sexual assaults.
Newcastle is set to see a surge in pink taxis driven by women as part of a new initiative aimed at improving passenger safety.
An unlicensed taxi driver who picked up two vulnerable women in Aberdare has been ordered to pay nearly £1,500 in fines and costs.
Cleethorpes taxi drivers are breathing a sigh of relief after council enforcement officers cracked down on vehicles illegally parked in designated taxi ranks.
A Barry man has avoided jail after launching a drunken attack on a taxi driver who refused him entry to his vehicle.
Jersey’s taxi service is in crisis, with driver numbers plummeting by more than a quarter since 2014, a new report has revealed.
On Wednesday 27 July, more than 300 vulnerable youngsters were taken on an all-expenses paid trip to Southport.
Taxi drivers in the town will be able to charge passengers more following a decision by the borough council on 31 July.
A taxi driver has been sentenced to a community order after admitting causing the death of a pedestrian by driving at excessive speed.
A joint operation by council, police, and DVSA officials has seen three taxis taken off the road in Oldham due to safety concerns.
Taxi drivers licensed by Mid Sussex could soon be forced to accept card payments, following a surge in complaints about cash-only services.
Two men have avoided immediate jail time after a high-speed race left a taxi driver with serious injuries.
BYD, manufacturer of new energy vehicles and power batteries, has announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Uber, designed to bring 100,000 new BYD EVs onto the Uber platform across key global markets.
Ways of increasing the amount of wheelchair-accessible taxis across the city are set to be explored to make it easier for those who need one to get one.
Cumbrian taxi drivers are fighting back against proposed licensing changes they fear will cripple their livelihoods.
Bolton taxi drivers are urged to sign up for free safeguarding and disability awareness training before the deadline on October 31st, 2024.
A Conwy Council meeting on Monday revealed a critical failing that allowed a taxi driver whose license had been revoked to continue transporting children to school.
Worcester City Council is seeking public opinion on a proposal to make safeguarding training mandatory for taxi and private hire drivers.