Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent steps has he taken to support taxi drivers in Slough affected by the covid-19 outbreak.

The majority of taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers are self-employed and can therefore apply for grants through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). Over the first three rounds of the scheme a total of up to £21,570 has been made available. HMRC will announce details of the fourth grant on 3 March 2021. Owners, operators and drivers of taxis and PHVs may also be eligible for locally administered grant schemes aimed at supporting businesses which have been forced to close, or which have been badly affected, by the pandemic, and should contact the relevant local authority for more information. The Government has launched a ‘support finder’ tool to help businesses and self-employed workers quickly and easily determine what financial support is available to them.

In addition, the government has published guidance regarding actions that drivers, operators and owners of taxis or PHVs can take to protect against coronavirus. The government will shortly be publishing additional guidance on the use of screens to further improve safety for passengers and drivers.