A £1.5million fund for our region's taxi drivers was announced today in an attempt to support the trade, which has been battered by the coronavirus pandemic.
The scheme, the result of a collaboration between the six boroughs of the Liverpool City Region and metro mayor Steve Rotheram, will aim to provide more financial assistance to drivers, many of whom have been unable to access the government's coronavirus income support schemes so far.
It will be split proportionally among Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens and Halton.
In a joint statement, metro mayor Rotheram and the leaders of the six local authorities said: “We recognise the hardship experienced by our area’s taxi drivers, who have seen their trade seriously affected by the Coronavirus restrictions.
“As leaders and mayors, we are continuing to press the Government for financial support packages that work for everyone who has seen their livelihood affected by Covid-19 restrictions.
“We know this fund can only make a small contribution but wanted to make this available as a gesture of support for a sector that has been hit hard without adequate Government support.”
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The details of how the funding will be issued to taxi drivers are currently being finalised and further information will be available shortly on each local authority website. It is expected that payments will be made before Christmas.
Last week, Liverpool Council announced small grants for all taxi drivers, equivalent to the cost of their annual vehicle licence and badge fee.
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