Been a few similar articles recently, obviously.
Interesting thing here maybe that the MP represents a London constituency, and as I recall it he was a London HCD for years before being elected, which isn't mentioned in the article.
And no specific mention of the fact that drivers will be eligible for the Government's self-employment support scheme when it's up and running, assuming they've been declaring their income to HMRC
Not sure whether that's the fault of the journalist or Mr Efford, but to that degree the piece doesn't really provide the full picture.
But the two comments below the article (which I've included below) are probably more realistic in terms of what's available, and what drivers will get
Taxi drivers face 'financial ruin' without government help, says Eltham MPhttps://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/1840 ... eltham-mp/The MP for Eltham has written to the Transport Minister urging him to take measures to save taxi drivers from "financial ruin," and even temporarily re-employ them to assist the NHS.Clive Efford MP said he has been contacted by taxi drivers in his constituency in south east London who are "in distress" as their business has completely "dried up" during to the lockdown.
For the majority, work has been so severely reduced that income is failing to even cover operating costs, and many are "anticipating the collapse of their business."
The Government has acknowledged and pledged to help with some of the problems faced by the self-employed during the lockdown, but these workers face up to three months with any pay and are struggling to feed families.
The MP is now calling on the Minister for Transport Grant Shapps to ensure these workers, including 82,000 UK taxi drivers, are properly supported so they can stay on the road.
In a letter to the Department for Transport, Mr Efford says that whilst he supports the Government's Covid-19 lockdown, the measures have "severely impacted the livelihood of many self-employed people" who are currently in financial hardship and face ruin.
In the letter, Mr Efford recommends that emergency interim payments are made, wages are supported straight away and running costs such as licence plate fees and rental fees are suspended.
"Even more importantly, the Government must look to the taxi industry as part of the solution to this crisis, not part of the problem."
Mr Effort states that taxi drivers should be sub-contracted out to perform a number of tasks, including transporting patients to and from emergency appointments, delivering shopping to the elderly and transport NHS and care staff to work and testing centres.
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Come on let's be honest, they are self employed and entitled to the same assistance as the rest of us. It's okay for them to charge the earth and then declare minimal earnings to pay less tax.
I have friends who are Black cab drivers and know how they all work and what little they pay. Maybe they should have saved rather then buying Ralph Lauren shorts and raybans.
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No industry plays the victim card quite like the black cab trade. They're honestly pathetic. They've been given payment holidays on the cabs and they're getting the same package as all other self employed people. Just get on with it and take responsibility for once.
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