Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to make further financial support available to taxi businesses and drivers in response to the delayed relaxation of the covid-19 restrictions originally planned for 21 June 2021.

The Government has announced several measures available to UK businesses, including the taxi and private hire sector, to support them through the pandemic. The majority of taxi and PHV drivers are self-employed and can therefore apply for grants through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

On 3 March, the Chancellor announced that the fourth SEISS grant will be set at 80% of 3 months average trading profits paid out in a single instalment, capped at £7,500.

A fifth grant covering May 2021 to September 2021 will be open to claims from late July 2021. The amount awarded will be determined by how much an operator’s turnover has been reduced in the year April 2020 to April 2021. More information on support will be provided on GOV.UK by the end of June 2021.

Operators can continue to apply for the Additional Restrictions Grant via their Local Authority, which is a discretionary grant to businesses not receiving other support or who are extremely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.