Liverpool Taxi Drivers are set to receive further financial support for the Pandemic loss. However, regional leaders have acknowledged the aid is “largely symbolic”
This is the further financial boost from the support coming from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority taking total support for taxi drivers to £3.5 million and £200 towards the cost of drivers.
Leaders of six local authorities along with the Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham together called for the financial support to the taxi trade.
The financial aid in Liverpool and other parts of Britain was started in October last year in which the first round of the regional fund of £100 was released to six local authorities which covered the licence of the taxi.
Drivers who received £100 grants were eligible to receive further grant of £200. This additional is also available for drivers who haven’t applied for the support. This funding is allocated to each of these six authorities, according to the licensed taxi drivers.
In the press statement released by the leaders of the authorities, “We recognise the hardship experienced by our area’s taxi drivers, who have seen their trade seriously affected by the Coronavirus restrictions. “We acknowledged when we launched this fund that it was a gesture of support. We know that this additional funding is still largely symbolic but have made it available in recognition of the ongoing impact of the pandemic.”
“As the City Region’s political leadership, we are continuing to press the Government for financial support packages that work for everyone whose livelihood has been affected by Covid-19 restrictions.”
Pandemic Financial Support
On October, 2020, the Liverpool City Council had announced that thousands of taxi drivers in the city will be receive the grant of £210 to overcome the financial strain due to coronavirus.
There are 3,886 licensed drivers who were hit hard due to lockdown travel restriction. This made the council to release £663,400 of funds.
However, many drivers refused to take accept this grant considering as an “insult”.
“This, to me, is an insult and I will refuse the pathetic offer,” a driver said. He further stated, ” he would prefer to donate the money to the school meals fund the council announced earlier.
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said, “a valued part of the city’s economy, particularly as they are among the first people that visitors to our city come into contact with”.
“This is our way of doing what we can to assist them during these unprecedented times,” he added.
The grant will make Hackney cab and private hire vehicle drivers to receive 40 cost of their driver badge, and further 170 for their vehicle plate for the owner of the cab.