TAXI drivers are facing bankruptcy after being left out of official support packages, transport union RMT warned yesterday.

The licensed trade is facing financial ruin due to the “decimation” of regular as well as passing trade following Covid-related restrictions, the union said.

It pointed out that for many drivers the problems were compounded by the huge costs of buying electric vehicles as part of environmentally friendly programmes being rolled out across the country.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “The taxi trade is an essential part of Britain’s transport network and has played a key role in ensuring essential workers could get to their workplaces throughout the lockdown earlier this year.

“Taxis have been transporting sick and elderly citizens to essential medical appointments and taken people from supermarkets to their homes with food and other essential household items.

“It’s now time governments and local councils stepped in with financial assistance to ensure taxi drivers, who are clearly key workers during this unprecedented pandemic, avoid suffering through no fault of their own.”