Unite the Union Edinburgh Cab Branch have announced that the city's council have decided to defer licensing fees for three months.
The decision was welcomed with open arms by the Union, who said: "We would like to thank @Edinburgh_CC and the councillors for deferring our licensing fees for 3 months, this will help considerably as taxi and phv drivers are really struggling right now."
With the UK virtually on complete lockdown and travel at an absolute minimum, taxi and private hire drivers up and down the UK have not been able to earn a living.
With some facing mounting stress to come up with the funds to pay licensing fees, this announcement has been a welcome relief for drivers.
Danny Tebb wrote on Twitter: "Thanks a lot. This really is a lifesaver."
Unite's Glasgow Cab Section said: "Excellent decision. Here in Glasgow, our licensing authority was extremely helpful and had licence and test extensions in place very quickly. This has helped to reduce the anxiety and stress on operators and drivers in the current crisis."
Adam McVey, Council Leader, said: “We’ve been working really hard in challenging circumstances to find the right solution for licence holders, while making sure it is legally sound.
“I’m very pleased that we have reached agreement on this and that it’s now one less financial pressure on the taxi and private car hire trade and other licence holders as like everyone else their lives will have been turned upside down. My thanks to officers, and the Convenor, Councillor Fullerton, who have worked hard to help us come to this position and the taxi industry and drivers themselves for their input.
“We’ve also made a commitment to report back to our next Leadership Advisory Panel on the implementation of this decision and we’ll monitor the need for further support where we can.”
