Coronavirus (Covid 19) Taxi and Private Hire Driver Support Fund - Self Declaration Form

The Scottish Government recognises the financial challenges facing Taxi Drivers and Operators as a result of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant which has caused a significant reduction in the demand for taxis and private hire vehicles as a result of measures introduced to control the spread. 

In recognition of these challenges, Ministers have earmarked £28 million specifically to provide financial support to the taxi sector for fixed costs. Originally only those Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle drivers who previously received a grant under the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Driver Support Fund 2021 were eligible to apply. This is now open to new drivers and those who did not apply for previous grant support in 2021. All are now eligible to receive a one-off grant of £750 from their local authority.

This fund is being administered by Local Authorities, and on behalf of Argyll and Bute Council I am pleased to confirm you may be eligible for financial support if you have not already received a grant award through the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Driver and Operator Support Fund 2021/2022. To verify your eligibility for support and to process payment we require you to complete and return the declaration below including supporting information where that is requested.

Please ensure that you take the time to complete your self-declaration form correctly and that you double-check that the information you have provided is accurate before submitting.

Closing date for applications: 25th March 2022

 
1 Start 2 Complete
Eligibility
YesNo
Have you held a valid licence continuously in Argyll and Bute for the period 9 December 2021 and which remains current and valid as at 31st January 2022? *
Have you experienced loss of income in December 2021 and incurred overhead costs and expenses? (Those who have held a licence since December 2019 are asked to declare that their loss of income for December 2021 equates to at least 50% of turnover compared to December 2019) If you have held a valid license since 23/07/2021, this question does not apply to you. *
Have you been working or available for work as a taxi or private hire vehicle driver since 9 December 2021? *
Have you breached COVID regulations/requirements since March 2020? *
Have you applied to any other local authority for the same grant? *
Are you connected to any of the countries included in the EU list of Non-Cooperative Tax Havens? *
Do you understand that any payment received must be declared to HMRC as appropriate as part of the tax return for the business? *
Have you previously made an application to Argyll and Bute Council under the Taxi and Private Hire Driver Support Fund 2021/22? *
Personal Details
Subsidy Control/Public Sector Support

Subsidy Control is a mechanism intended to ensure equity and fairness in trade between countries by limiting the amount of financial support that individual businesses are entitled to receive from government over a three year period. The amount of funding that individual businesses were able to receive from Government in the UK (local, national or devolved) was previously governed by the EU’s State Aid framework although this ceased to apply on 31 December 2020 following the UK’s departure from the EU and the end of the transition period. The UK does, however remain bound by subsidy obligations set out in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) with the EU, the details of which are set out on the UK Government’s website.

As part of these obligations, applicants are required to declare all previous support received from UK or Scottish or Local Government support schemes to provide local authorities with the necessary information to ensure payments are made correctly and compliant with limits as set out in the EC State Aid Covid-19 Temporary Framework.

As such, those eligible for support through the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Driver and Operator Support Fund are asked to provide details of all funding received from the UK, Scottish, Local Government and/or any other publicly funded body (e.g. Scottish Enterprise) over the last 3 years such as payments through previous rounds of funding directed towards the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle sector. This excludes the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) which are exempt from Subsidy Control.

Please detail below what financial support you have received over the past 3 years.

Declaration

I am applying in full knowledge that the purpose of this grant is to provide support with fixed operation costs to taxi businesses  experiencing a significant reduction in demand as a result of measures introduced to the control the spread of the Omicron variant  I confirm that:

  • I am authorised to make this application on behalf of the above business and that the business operates or is headquartered in this Local Authority area.
  • I understand that any payment received is taxable and must be declared to HMRC as appropriate as part of the tax return for the business.
  • I confirm that I have considered the impact that any payment from the Fund may have on any insurance claim I may have made or be making.
  • I certify that the information provided in this application is correct and understand that if any information provided is later found to be false, repayment of funding may be required and depending on circumstances criminal proceedings might be instigated.
  • I understand that I am required to notify the Local Authority I am applying to of any material changes that may affect the eligibility of my business to receive future payments.
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