Fife MSP calls for action so local taxi drivers don't lose out on funding
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The comments from Scottish Labour economy spokesperson Alex Rowley come as Unite union raised concerns that the new support package would ‘discriminate’ against thousands of taxi drivers as those who had previously applied for benefits would be ineligible for the £1,500 grant.
Mr Rowley has said that the poorest taxi drivers must not be penalised and he has written to Fiona Hyslop MSP about the major concerns being raised by taxi drivers and the union.
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Hide AdIn the letter he pointed out that the criteria established as part of a new £57 million funding prohibits taxi drivers from applying for the grant if they have been in receipt of state benefits payments (Universal Credit, Statutory Sick Pay, Employment and Support Allowance, Job Seekers' Allowance, lncome Support) or have applied for but not yet started receiving Universal Credit at the time
of applying.
As a result he said Unite has been inundated by reports from taxi drivers stating that because earnings have collapsed they’ve had no choice but to apply for benefits including Universal Credit.
He said: “We simply cannot have thousands of taxi drivers, in particular those most at risk, being unable to receive this support. The support package is welcome, but without taking action to alter it the SNP risks discriminating against thousands of the poorest drivers.
“It’s time for Fiona Hyslop to go back to the drawing board and come up with a proper support package for Scotland’s struggling taxi drivers.”