Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton Constituency, has called on the Scottish Government to urgently provide local authorities with the information that they need so that taxi drivers can receive much needed support.

This comes as Jackie Baillie receives confirmation from local Councils that the reason they have been unable to provide a date for when the package of support for taxi drivers will be made available is because the Scottish Government is yet to issue local authorities with the final guidance on the package.

Jackie Baillie has called on the Scottish Government to act with a sense of urgency when providing local authorities with the necessary tools to distribute support. She has said that any delay will only result in more businesses failing to survive and more workers facing redundancy.

Jackie Baillie MSP said:

“It is unacceptable that the Scottish Government is dragging its heels in providing local authorities with the necessary guidance so that they can get support to struggling taxi drivers.

“Simply announcing support packages for taxi drivers is helping absolutely no one if the announcement is not followed by swift and robust action. Taxi drivers, like so many in our community, are struggling to make ends meet this year.

“The Scottish Government has a duty of care to ensure these workers have the support that they need and I urge them to act now to get funding into the pockets of those most in need.”