A WIRRAL dad and taxi driver who has lived in the UK for decades fears he will be deported after he was suddenly refused an application to continue working.

Martin Burnett came here from Australia in the 1970s when he was just nine years old, after his English parents decided to move back to the country.

Having lived in England for nearly four decades and now married to wife Liz and dad to Emma, nine, Martin was "stunned" last week after the local council refused to renew his private hire licence.

It's due to UK Government legislation introduced in 2016, and Martin has been told he had to obtain necessary documents before he could reapply.

His current licence expired on Sunday evening, meaning the situation has left him out of work and unable to provide for his family.

He now does not know when he will be able to drive again, or if he will even be able to remain in the country.

Self-employed Martin, who lives in Leasowe and has been driving his private hire cab for six years, said: "It would now be illegal for me to drive people around any more. It's going to affect my family's life immensely.

"I'm still not aware as to whether or not the legislation will allow me to work anywhere else until it's sorted, so I've lost my ability to support my family.

"That stunned feeling only started to leave last night when I parked my car up for the last time."

He said the best he could hope for is if his passport application is fast-tracked that would mean re-applying for his licence, which would still take some weeks – and “hundreds of pounds’ worth of expenditure”.

He added: “I don’t know if I’m going to have to take all my taxi exams again, either. It’s going to by hugely expensive.

“My family are furious, and our little girl is bemused. We’re trying to keep the information away from her that’s caused her worry.

"After 39 years in this country, I never thought this would happen. I feel British, and Leasowe is my home.

"This legislation has come out of nowhere, and has affected me personally. I think it could affect quite a few others too. It must be more widely circulated."

With Martin, 49, out of work, the family must now rely on the wages of wife of 20 years Liz, who works part-time as a chef.

She said: "We are panicking, and very worried financially. Martin works to support us – my wages pay the bills. It's a huge concern as we'll be without income.

"Martin was made to feel like he was going to be deported. We are just in shock beside ourselves."

Martin is originally from Perth, and could not have his licence renewed due to a change in immigration law since he last applied.

He does not have a British passport, so was unable to provide the documentation the Home Office now require local authorities to receive to prove someone’s right to work in this country.

He is now in touch with the Home Office, with whom he must verify his right to work in the UK, and obtain the necessary documents before re-applying for his licence.

The legislation – the Immigration Act 2016 – is the same law that revealed the extent of the Windrush scandal – the requirement for immigrants to now provide documentation to prove their right to continue living and working in this country.

The legislation, introduced in 2016 and involving 'right to work' checks, aims to prevent illegal working in the taxi and private hire sector.

Martin doesn't lay blame with the council, maintaining the authority has been “backed into a corner”, but said he hopes to be able to appeal – and continue driving in the meantime.

A spokesman for Wirral Council said: “In this particular case, the driver was seeking to renew his licence that was due to expire on April 29, 2019. His application can proceed once we have the necessary documentation.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “We will be contacting Mr Burnett about his case to discuss the options open to him”.