Wolverhampton council offers £2,000 one-off Covid-19 grants to drivers – providing they live in the city

Wolverhampton taxi and private hire drivers who have been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic can apply for a £2,000 grant, the local council has announced.

The Additional Restriction Grant – Taxi and Private Hire Grant scheme is designed to help drivers who live in the city with a one-off payment of £2,000.

It will not be available to drivers from other towns and cities who have taken advantage of Wolverhampton’s low licensing rates and operate Wolverhampton-licensed cars elsewhere. To qualify, drivers must have lived in Wolverhampton for the past 13 weeks and must have notified Licensing Services of their current address. They must also present a driving licence showing a Wolverhampton address.

Drivers must also confirm they are self-employed and do not receive a salary from an employer through the PAYE scheme, and must have held a taxi license since November 4, 2020.

Cllr Stephen Simkins, cabinet member for city economy, said: “Trade for Wolverhampton taxi drivers, like many other businesses, has been significantly impacted by the current lockdown and this new grant will provide a lifeline to them.”

He added: “Working within the Government guidelines, we will ensure these grants get allocated as swiftly as possible as our city looks to recover from the financial impact of Covid-19.”

Cllr Alan Bolshaw, chairman of the licensing committee, added: “This is a fantastic scheme that will help support many of our hard-working taxi drivers who have experienced great hardship during the pandemic.”
Eligibility criteria and how to access the online application process for the taxi grant can be found at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/businessgrants