This grant is for licensed taxi or private hire drivers and operators in Scotland, who are experiencing financial challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Taxi and private hire drivers
If you are a licensed taxi or private hire driver experiencing financial challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and who previously received a one-off grant of £1,500, you may now be eligible for a second grant payment.
This support is separate from any other funding you may have received from the Scottish or UK Government. For example, if you have applied to the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, you may still be eligible.
To be eligible for this fund, drivers must:
- have previously received a grant from the Taxi and Private Hire Driver Support Fund earlier in 2021
- have a current local authority taxi or private hire driver licence which is valid as at 3 June 2021
Taxi operators
If you are a taxi operator experiencing financial challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, you may be eligible for a grant based on the number of vehicle licences you hold:
- owner/operators with one vehicle – a single award of £1,000
- owner/operators with 2 to 9 vehicles – a single award of £3,000
- owner/operators with 10 to 49 vehicles – a single award of £7,000
- owner/operators with 50 or more vehicles – a single award of £15,000
If you are eligible for a grant, your local authority will get in touch with you.
To be eligible for this fund, operators must:
- be an individual or company holding a valid taxi or private hire vehicle licence as at 3 June 2021
- have experienced loss of income (50% of turnover, compared with 2019) and incurred overhead costs and expenses (confirmed by self-certification)
In addition, taxi and private hire drivers and operators applying for support must not:
- have breached COVID-19 regulations
- have connections to tax havens, as set out in the coronavirus regulations
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that any grants received through the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Driver Support Fund will not affect any Universal Credit payments you are receiving. You will still need to declare the grant to the Department for Work and Pensions.
For drivers, your local authority will automatically pay the grant to you if you are eligible. Local councils will begin to process payments towards the end of week commencing 7 June 2021, or earlier if possible.
For taxi operators, local authorities will contact you to confirm your status and progress applications. Local councils will begin to contact all eligible vehicle licence holders from mid-June and will aim to make payments in June/July, provided they have received all supporting information required.
See: Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Driver and Operator Support Fund (findbusinesssupport.gov.scot)