To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether she will extend the £19 million Support Fund for Taxi Drivers and Private Coach and Bus Operators to include wedding and event car hire businesses.

I recently secured funding of £14m for taxi drivers and £5m for private bus and coach operators from the Executive. The funding for taxi drivers is open to drivers in all classes, including Class C which wedding car drivers fall under. This package, taken together with the £1.5m that I have already put in place to waive fees for the renewal of taxi and bus vehicle licences, will ensure that more drivers will be able to continue in the trade and hence be available for recovery, post-Covid.

The financial assistance scheme for taxi drivers is open to all self-employed licensed drivers including wedding car drivers who were available to work from 22nd March to 30th September 2020 and is being launched this week. The bespoke support offered will be via a one off payment of £1500. This one off payment will be a contribution to their yearly overhead costs including PPE and recognises the financial pressures sustained by eligible taxi drivers due to Covid-19.