‘WE KNOW IT IS ONE PART OF THE ECONOMY THAT SUFFERS’: Nicola Sturgeon to look at support for cabbies

Image credit : Ross Campbell

Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has said financial support for the taxi industry will be looked at and has admitted that the taxi and private hire trade is one part of the economy that suffers ‘considerably’ from restrictions.

Current restrictions in Scotland mean the hospitality industry and travelling around the country and cities is massively impacted and limited. With fewer people moving around, taxi drivers are left twiddling their thumbs waiting for fares.

As yet, the taxi industry hasn’t been included in any support packages made available by government, sparking outrage from drivers and trade representatives. The App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU) organised a protest for private hire drivers which took place in Glasgow on 29 December, and which called for desperate financial support.

Anas Sarwar, leader of the Scottish Labour Party, put the following question to the First Minister: "What action is the Scottish Government taking to ensure that all those who are eligible for support are receiving it? And what plans are in place to widen support for affected businesses, such as the taxi trade, that have seen their income collapse but are not currently eligible for extra help?”

The First Minister replied: "We have made decisions and confirmed announcements on the allocation of £207 million of the £375 million that we have made available. We are consulting different sectors on allocating the remainder of that support.

"That will include looking at the taxi sector. We have previously provided support for the taxi sector and we know that it is one part of the economy that suffers considerably from fewer people going out socialising, so it is very much in our minds as we reach decisions on the allocation of the remainder of that money. We will set out those decisions as soon as possible."

Sarwar said he was looking forward to seeing the details of that additional support, particularly in relation to the taxi trade.