Many private hire drivers in the UK has been left without work due to delays and the longer process it takes their local authorities to process their license renewal application; leaving them with huge dept on their household bills and inability to keep paying off their hired vehicle loan. 

I honestly think private hire drivers in the UK with current licence to operate should be allowed to carry on working once their renewal application remains pending with their local authority. Currently a PHV driver is not allowed to continue operating once their current licence has expired even if they had put in renewal application ealier before the current one expires. Putting a PHV driver with huge family responsibility and car loan dept out of work through no fault of their own doesn't seem fair in any way. Even the Home Office allows UK residents with right to work in the UK to carry on work activities while their application remains under consideration and I see no reason why local authorities in the UK should not allow a licensed currently operating PHV driver to carry on working while their licence renewal application remains pending. Some local authorities like TFL though allows about 3 months period for renewal application to be sent in yet due to the pandemic which has really slowed everything down this timing is not enough. I really think this system should be changed.