Greater Manchester taxi and private hire drivers could soon access millions of pounds in financial support to upgrade to cleaner vehicles, under a new scheme announced by Mayor Andy Burnham.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Burnham has confirmed a £4.45 million funding pot aimed at private hire vehicles that will not meet emissions standards by the end of 2026 . The announcement was made during a Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) meeting in Stockport and is intended to complement an existing £8 million package already in place for black cab drivers.
Under the proposals, eligible private hire drivers will be able to apply for either a £5,000 interest-free loan or a £1,000 grant to help them upgrade to a newer, cleaner vehicle.
However, the scheme comes with a key condition. Burnham made clear that the funding will only be available to drivers who are licensed with Greater Manchester local authorities, stating that it is aimed at “those who have done the right thing and licensed with our authorities in GM” .
The move forms part of the mayor’s wider campaign to reform the taxi and private hire sector, improve air quality, and strengthen local licensing compliance across Greater Manchester.
DM News Commentary
This is a significant moment for the Greater Manchester trade — not just because of the money on offer, but because of who is excluded.
For drivers licensed locally, the funding provides real help at a time when meeting emissions standards is becoming increasingly expensive. Interest-free loans and grants could keep many drivers working who might otherwise struggle to afford a compliant vehicle.
But the clear message here is political as well as environmental. By restricting access to GM-licensed drivers only, the scheme directly challenges the long-standing issue of out-of-area licensing, which many local drivers believe has undermined standards and earnings.
In simple terms: support is being tied to local commitment. Other councils — and other mayors — will be watching closely to see whether this approach successfully reshapes licensing behaviour across the sector.
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