Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of offering the same grants that are available to taxi companies to driving schools.

The Government appreciates this is a challenging time for many sectors and individuals, including driving schools and instructors. With the resurgence of the virus and tightening of restrictions to protect people's health, we have taken further steps to protect jobs and businesses.

Driving schools will benefit from an extension of the furlough scheme to the end of March. Self-employed driving instructors will benefit from an extension of the income support grant. This support has increased to 80% of average profits, up to £7,500, covering November to January.

This support for individuals sits alongside support for businesses of all sizes including grant funding distributed through Local Authorities. During this difficult time the Treasury is working intensively with employers, delivery partners, industry groups and other government departments to understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 and specific challenges to the wider economy.