Parliament The House: Millennial meter moan

LONDON'S BLACK-CAB drivers say they may not have enough incentive to work over the millennium, despite being able to charge double.

Keith Hill, minister for London, said they could charge double the amount on the meter, up to a total fare of pounds 25, between 8pm on 31 December and 6am on 1 January. For total metered fares over that there will be a flat-rate pounds 25 supplement. But Bob Oddy, head of the Licensed Taxi Association, said he was "not convinced it will encourage sufficient drivers to miss their own celebrations. We requested the Government to apply a pounds 25 surcharge on all journeys and I believe that is the level of incentive required."