A number of local taxi drivers have contacted me regarding recent media reports concerning David Cameron and George Osborne’s relationship with Uber.

The revelations suggest that these close ties could have an impact on Transport for London and City Hall policy after Boris Johnson reportedly bowed to pressure during his time as mayor and did not go ahead with implementing proposed changes to London’s taxi and private hire industry.

I am aware that tensions have been rising between mini cab, Uber and black cab drivers over recent years and am pleased that our current mayor, Sadiq Khan, is making an impact in this area through his introduction of English language tests for private hire drivers, his employment of more than one hundred new enforcement officer and his plans to create more taxi rank across the city. As you may know, City Hall and Transport for London are also pushing central government for additional powers to enable them to tackle the issue of cross-border hiring.

As requested by constituents, I have now written to the Prime Minister asking her government to investigate the relationship between her predecessor, the former Chancellor and Uber and to ask that the findings be made public. I have also stated that the government should closely examine the impact that Uber is having on passenger safety, fair competition and drivers’ pay and working conditions.