Row as taxi drivers in Portsmouth claim they lost out on Covid grants

Private hire vehicle and hackney carriage drivers in Portsmouth have claimed they 'were not told' about government cash made available to them in December to cover losses felt during the second national lockdown.

But the authority has hit back, stating driver representatives were directed to financial support including grants of up to £4,000 for each month affected last year.

Representative for Uber drivers in Portsmouth and taxi driver of 20 years, Peter Sutherland, said: 'Nobody in the trade was aware these grants existed for us because nobody in the council informed us.

'We knew there were business grants going out and we have heard of other local authorities providing them for the taxi trade, but nothing here. There's just been absolutely no communication.

'The lockdown has been a real struggle for drivers, with trade down at least 70 per cent.

'I know at least 10 drivers who have had to sell their cars to provide for their families. Others are just walking away from the job because they can't afford to keep going and of course there are those that couldn't work due to underlying health conditions.

'And all the while we were needed to transport key workers like NHS staff, as well as vulnerable sick people.'

Taxi drivers in Portsmouth were eligible for the additional restrictions grant that was open for applications between December 18 and January 8.

Applications for a second additional restrictions grant will open soon.

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Councillor Steve Pitt, deputy leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: 'Unfortunately, we didn't have any applications from drivers during the first window for applications.

'A planned review of the grant system will happen soon, and we'll make sure it's working as well as it can for local business people.

'We'll take particular note of any particular issues which could limit the taxi trade's ability to access the grants and respond accordingly.

'We first became aware that the trade had concerns on Monday this week and as the scheme was scheduled to be reviewed at the end of January anyway, the timing is good for us to be able to look at this issue.

'We've sent out regular updates to private hire operators and taxi and private hire trade representatives to offer support and assistance since the first lockdown, including signposting to financial support.'

The council has so far distributed about £51m of the £67m grant money received from the government, under various schemes.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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