An MSP has welcomed funding support for taxi drivers in Fife

David Torrance MSP, whose constituency covers the town, has expressed his delight that taxi and private hire drivers in the Kirkcaldy area will have access to three times the amount of Scottish Government support than they did last year.

Eligible drivers will be able to claim a £1,500 grant to cover fixed costs, boosting the support available to them by the Scottish Government.

A total fund of £57 million has been available to taxi and private hire drivers – three times more than the allocated funding in December.

The Scottish government said local councils would contact the country's 38,000 drivers directly inviting them to claim the money and it follows criticism about the level of support offered to the industry.

The grant will be available for costs including licence fees and insurance payments for taxis not on the road.

Taxi journeys have dropped a lot since the start of the pandemic - the Unite Union claims that around 80 per cent of taxi drivers have lost up to three quarters of their usual incomes.

Taxi drivers have taken a hit with passenger numbers falling as a result of bar, restaurant and school closures.

Mr Torrance said: “I am delighted the Scottish Government has increased the funding available to taxi and private hire drivers. Many of these drivers in Fife have gone above and beyond the call of duty by providing transport for key workers and taking people safely to hospital appointments.

“This substantial increase in support for them is the recognition they deserve in what has been a tough time for the industry due to the lockdown restrictions.

“Despite the restrictions, many fixed costs have remained for drivers, such as general maintenance, licence plate fees, rental fees and insurance payments and the increase in funding will cover these expensive costs.”

He added: “I would urge the local council to contact firms quickly to ensure they can receive the money in their account as soon as possible.”

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