THE looming taxi tax will raise prices and put nighttime revellers’ safety at risk, campaigners warn.
It has been branded “higher taxation on safe travel” by the country’s leading organisation for sexual violence survivors.
The Survivors Trust says if it pushes up fares many people would end up taking unnecessary risks.
The prospect of a 20 per cent rise follows a High Court ruling which could see private hire companies having to charge VAT.
The Survivors Trust is calling on the government to ensure it is stopped.
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Trust CEO Fay Maxted said: “We know that many sexual assaults happen during evenings and nighttime, with young people in particular using taxis to get home quickly and safely after an evening out.
"In the face of rising sexual assaults, the public are already taking extra measures to protect themselves.
"Their safety must not be compromised by higher taxation on safe means of travel.”
Hospitality bosses have also hit out at the tax, which they say will force bars to shut as people stay at home.
