Zara Henderson wrote:

Why don't Transport for London introduce a system whereby taxis &
minicabs are employed by them & are paid a regular wage just like bus
& train drivers,

Because there would be nothing to stop taxi drivers parking in a side road
for eight hours reading a paper and then saying they couldn't find any
passengers, and then going home with the same pay. They would also be less
willing to take risks with punters, so women in Ascot hats and gentlemen in
Panama hats would be the only people who could get taxis, and only when they
were completely sober.

it would reduce pollution immensely because one cab
could be used by three drivers on a 24 hour shift rota,

How would that reduce pollution? Anyway, something like half the cabs in
London are already shared by two drivers.

it would also mean no lack of cabs late at night,

Why don't you work at night and socialise in the day, that way you won't
have a problem getting cabs! Cabbies want to socialise and see their
children, same as anyone else.

just one thing though because
there is no glass partition in minicabs as in black cabs,I do find
many minicab drivers appear to have a problem with personal hygiene
it would be a bonus if their job description included brushing their
teeth & taking a shower now & again.

Unlike taxis, which are a public service, minicabs are operated by private
companies, so if you don't like the service you get from one minicab
company, use a different one, or use taxis. Anyway, think of all the poor
drivers who have to put up with the stink of your attitude, which no glass
partition could mask.