• Reference: 2017/0271
• Question by: Florence Eshalomi MP
• Meeting date: 18 January 2017

To become a UK citizen you won't need to prove your knowledge of English if you're a citizen of: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago or the USA. Why do citizens, or former citizens, of those countries need to prove your knowledge of English to become a PHV driver?

• Reference: 2017/0270
• Question by: Florence Eshalomi MP
• Meeting date: 18 January 2017

Why have you decided to require UK Citizens to prove that they can speak English up to the B1 level?

• Reference: 2017/0269
• Question by: Florence Eshalomi MP
• Meeting date: 18 January 2017

TfL's March 2016 Board Papers say, "It has always been a requirement for private hire driver applicants to undertake a topographical assessment in English. Throughout summer 2015 we conducted a mystery shopping exercise at all accredited topographical assessment centres. Through this exercise we identified serious issues with the way a test was being conducted at a number of centres, including applicants being given answers and being allowed to take the test in their native language. As a result, to date 15 centres had their accreditation suspended and candidates that had recently passed the assessment at one of those centres had...

• Reference: 2017/0268
• Question by: Florence Eshalomi MP
• Meeting date: 18 January 2017

TfL's March 2015 consultation document said, "Other licensing authorities in the UK have introduced a range of different requirements". How many of the other 314 licensing authorities require PHV drivers to undertake a B1 English Test?

• Reference: 2017/0267
• Question by: Florence Eshalomi MP
• Meeting date: 18 January 2017

TfL's March 2015 consultation document said, "Concerns have been raised that some London PHV drivers do not have a sufficiently high standard of English to enable them to communicate with their customers". Can you expand on what concerns were raised, how many concerns were raised and what TfL did to authenticate the concerns?

• Reference: 2017/0266
• Question by: Florence Eshalomi MP
• Meeting date: 18 January 2017

Since 2012 how many complaints have there been due to PHV Drivers not being able to speak English? Please break down by financial year.

• Reference: 2017/0265
• Question by: Florence Eshalomi MP
• Meeting date: 18 January 2017

Since 2012 how many PHV Drivers have failed the topographical test due to not being able to speak English? Please break down by financial year.

• Reference: 2017/0264
• Question by: Florence Eshalomi MP
• Meeting date: 18 January 2017

Would it be possible for the TfL online journey planner to be amended to include the costs of journey options? If so, what is a timescale for doing this?

• Reference: 2017/0263
• Question by: Florence Eshalomi MP
• Meeting date: 18 January 2017

Do you have any plans to allow National Rail Season Tickets to be added to the Oyster card in the same way Travelcards are?

• Reference: 2017/0262
• Question by: Florence Eshalomi MP
• Meeting date: 18 January 2017

I welcome the great work of the #ridewithpride campaign from OUTbound, which has seen the cycle-hire scheme, a bus, taxi and DLR train carry #ridewithpride liveries in support of the LGBT+ community. Would the Mayor support a London Overground train being branded for Pride in 2017?"