Welsh Government's new £200m support package includes THIRD discretionary fund open to taxi drivers

Welsh Government has revealed further details of the £200million package of support for non-essential retail, hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses that continue to be impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding means a potential third vital support payment will be available to taxi drivers in Wales.

The latest funding is linked to the non-domestic rates system (NDR) and will operate as a top up to the Restrictions Business Fund which was put in place in early December.

It brings this latest phase of Welsh Government support to £650million and will help businesses with operational costs through to the end of March.

Businesses with a rateable value starting at £12,000 and upwards will be eligible to receive a payment upwards of £3,000. Supply chain businesses will be able to apply for support if they have had a reduction in turnover of more than 40%.

The combined package provides eligible businesses with an NDR rate of £12,000 or under with a £6,000 grant towards their operating costs, and an eligible business with an NDR rate of between £12,001 and £150,000 with a £10,000 payment.

This does not include, where eligible, businesses who have accessed the ERF Sector Specific Fund which would see a typical hospitality, leisure and tourism business with 10 employees receive up to an additional £15,000 meaning a £25,000 grant in total for the period.

A further £30million is also being made available through the discretionary fund to provide up to £2,000 grants for businesses not on the non-domestic rates system.

Welsh Government support is in addition to that available from the UK Government.

Taxi representatives from Unite Wales were delighted with the extra support handed to struggling taxi drivers. A spokesperson from Unite Wales said: "Welsh taxi drivers will now be able to claim a third discretionary grant from Local Authorities if their wages are down 40% or more.

"Another huge win for our members who would like to thank the Welsh Government for the ongoing support during these difficult times."

Economy Minister Ken Skates said:

"The coronavirus pandemic continues to have a severe impact on our economy and our businesses, particularly those in the leisure, tourism, hospitality and retail sectors.

"The additional £200 million we are making available will provide reassurance to firms across Wales and help them with their operating costs through to the end of March.

"Our support is in addition to that available from the UK Government, including the Job Retention Scheme and the Self Employment Income Support Scheme, and I encourage businesses to explore those options as well.

"I am also calling on the UK Government to provide further certainty to businesses and individuals by assuring that support available through interventions such as the Job Retention Scheme will not be withdrawn before the economy is ready.

"Local Authorities have been crucial throughout the pandemic in supporting our efforts by administering and distributing this funding to firms in their area and I would like to once again thank them for their fantastic work and everything they continue to do to help our businesses when they need it most."