Hackney Support Fund
What is the Hackney Support Fund?
The £8 million government-funded Hackney Support Fund will offer grants to eligible hackney carriage vehicle licensees so that they can upgrade to cleaner vehicles.
The initiative is a key part of Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan, aiming to reduce nitrogen dioxide emissions to meet legal limits by 2026.
Eligible applicants will be invited by email to apply for grants (of up to £12,560 per vehicle) and funding will be provided directly to applicants.
Who is eligible for funding grants?
Only hackney carriage licence holders with a vehicle licence from one of the Greater Manchester licensing authorities (referred to as the vehicle licensee) will be eligible to apply for funding. To qualify:
The vehicle must be classified as ‘non-compliant’, meaning it does not meet certain emissions standards.
The vehicle licensee must meet the detailed eligibility criteria below.
To be eligible, the vehicle that is being replaced using the grant funding must meet the following conditions:
It is classified as non-compliant, meaning it is not:
a Euro 4 (or higher euro standard) petrol vehicle,
a Euro 6 diesel vehicle, or
a Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) vehicle.
As of 23 January 2025, the vehicle was:
taxed and insured; and
licensed as a hackney carriage by one of the Greater Manchester licensing authorities.
To be eligible for funding, the replacement vehicle must meet the following conditions:
It must meet minimum emissions standards (Euro 4 or higher for petrol vehicles / Euro 6 for diesel vehicles) or be a Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) vehicle.
It must have been purchased after 23 January 2025.
Before funding is received, the vehicle must be taxed, insured, and licensed as a hackney carriage with one of the Greater Manchester licensing authorities.
The vehicle must remain licensed as a hackney carriage with one of the Greater Manchester licensing authorities for at least two years from the date funding is received.
If the vehicle being replaced is wheelchair accessible, the replacement vehicle must also be wheelchair accessible.
The person applying for funding (the vehicle licensee) must meet the following conditions:
On 1 October 2024 and 23 January 2025, the applicant must have been the vehicle licensee of a non-compliant hackney carriage licensed by one of the Greater Manchester licensing authorities.
The vehicle licensee must either:
be the current vehicle licensee of the vehicle being replaced at the time of application, or
if a replacement vehicle has already been purchased, have been the vehicle licensee of the non-compliant vehicle being replaced as of 23 January 2025.
Before receiving funding, the applicant must be the vehicle licensee of the replacement vehicle.
To comply with the UK’s subsidy control regime, at the time of applying the vehicle licensee must not have received – or expect to receive – more than £315,000 (or equivalent) in public funding or subsidies from any government or public funding source over a three-year fiscal period. This includes any Hackney Support Fund grants and any other financial benefits secured through other applicable public funding sources.
What funding grants are available?
Applicants (vehicle licensees) can apply to the Hackney Support Fund for grants to help them upgrade to a cleaner, compliant vehicle.
The grants can be used alongside other government funding, subject to compliance with the UK subsidy control regime.
Grant amounts vary depending on whether the applicant wishes to upgrade to a wheelchair accessible vehicle and/or a Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) vehicle.
Upgrading to a compliant Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle:
£12,560 for a new or second-hand ZEC Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.
£6,280 for a compliant Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (minimum Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel).
Upgrading to a compliant Non-Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle:
£7,530 for a new or second-hand ZEC vehicle.
£6,280 for a compliant 6+ seater vehicle (minimum Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel).
£3,770 for a compliant vehicle (minimum Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel).
How do funding rounds work?
Funding will be allocated in two rounds. All applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to funding availability.
Round two will open subject to sufficient funds remaining, once round one applications have been processed.
Round one
You may apply if you:
Are the vehicle licensee for one non-compliant vehicle, regardless of how many you own.
Round two
You may apply if you:
Already replaced your non-compliant vehicle for a compliant vehicle after 23 January 2025.
Are the vehicle licensee for more than one non-compliant vehicle (you may apply for your other vehicles in this round).
Opening of funding round two will be subject to sufficient funds remaining once round one applications are processed.
How do I apply for the Hackney Support Fund?
Eligible vehicle licensees will be invited to apply by email. The email will provide access to the Hackney Support Fund portal with details of how to apply. If you think that you meet the eligibility criteria but have not been contacted, then please get in touch with your GM licensing authority.
Through the fund portal you will be able to:
Create a secure online account.
Submit your application with details about your vehicle and licence.
Provide supporting documents.
Your information will be checked against the list of eligible applicants, and the application details you have submitted.
If approved, you’ll receive a Fund Award Notification (FAN) valid for 4 months for you to complete your upgrade to a compliant vehicle and licence the compliant replacement vehicle with your GM Licensing Authority.
You must select the type of compliant vehicle (ZEC or compliant Euro 6 diesel or Euro 4 or a higher euro standard petrol) you want to upgrade to when applying as this determines the grant amount you will be eligible for.
You cannot downgrade from a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle to a non-Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle i.e. you cannot receive a grant funding for a non-Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle if your existing non-compliant vehicle is a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.
The replacement vehicle purchased must meet the eligibility criteria to receive payment. If your replacement vehicle does not meet the eligibility criteria (listed above), you will not be eligible for the grant payment.
If you upgrade your vehicle and the replacement vehicle is not the same as the vehicle type (i.e. Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle and ZEC or compliant Euro 6 diesel or Euro 4 or a higher euro standard petrol status), as specified in the FAN, you will not be eligible for the grant payment.
If you decide that you want to purchase a different vehicle type to the type specified on the FAN, you should get in contact with us (hackneygrant@growthco.uk) as soon as possible. You will need to make a new application, and your grant will be subject to available funding and on a first come first served basis.
Grants are paid after your replacement compliant vehicle is licensed with a GM authority.
Providing false information or misusing the grant may result in:
Your application being cancelled.
The grant being reclaimed.
You being barred from future funding.
Referral to relevant authorities to undertake enforcement action and recovery of loses.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure their information held with the relevant agencies, e.g. DVLA and Licensing Authorities, is up to date and accurate.
If you have any questions about the Hackney Support Fund application or encounter issues with the funding portal, please contact hackneygrant@growthco.uk.
If you have a licensing query, please contact your GM Licensing Authority.
Your questions answered
A vehicle licensee is a hackney carriage licence holder that is the named individual on the vehicle’s hackney license.
To apply for funding, you will need to provide a copy of your vehicle hackney license, which shows that you are the vehicle licensee.
You will be eligible in round two of funding if:
You replaced your non-compliant vehicle on or after 23 January 2025.
Your new vehicle meets minimum emissions standards (Euro 4 or higher for petrol vehicles / Euro 6 for diesel vehicles) or is a Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) vehicle.
You meet all the other eligibility criteria.
The opening of funding round two will be subject to available funding, once round one applications have been processed and completed.
We will notify eligible vehicle licensees by email if/when round two opens so you can place your application.
For the purpose of the Hackney Support Fund a compliant vehicle must be Euro 4 or a higher euro standard for petrol vehicles, Euro 6 for diesel vehicles or a Zero Emission Capable vehicle and must also meet your local licencing requirements.
A Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) vehicle is defined as one that emits less than 50g/km of CO₂ and has a zero-emission range of at least 70 miles (based on the electric city range), as measured under the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). Read the definition set by the UK Government and find further details.
You can find out if your replacement vehicle is a ZEC vehicle by requesting a copy of the Certificate of Conformity from the dealership/supplier you are purchasing your vehicle from.
The grant amount for hybrid vehicles will be dependent on whether the vehicle meets the Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) definition. If it does, eligible vehicle licensees will qualify for the ZEC funding. If it doesn’t, eligible vehicle licensees will qualify for the funding amount associated with upgrading to a minimum Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel vehicle.
You can check this by asking for the Certificate of Conformity from the dealership/supplier you are purchasing your vehicle from.
A Certificate of Conformity is a document issued by the manufacturer of a vehicle. It provides information to confirm whether the replacement vehicle would meet the Zero Emission Capable definition.
The certificate is provided free of charge to the buyer of a new vehicle when the vehicle is delivered. There is a legal requirement for the supplying dealer to provide this. To source this document, please consult your dealership/supplier.
You will need to provide the following evidence after you have purchased and licensed your replacement compliant vehicle with your licensing authority:
Proof of purchase which is the invoice, receipt, or bill of purchase clearly showing the vehicle registration number, date of purchase, name and registered address of seller/dealership and invoice number.
Vehicle Documentation which is the V5C of the replacement vehicle that shows the details of the registered keeper and vehicle registration. For vehicles purchased from LEVC Brewery Road or Cab Direct we accept the DVLA confirmation that the vehicle has been registered/transferred to the new keeper.
Hackney vehicle licence certificate which is the license certificate for your replacement vehicle from your licensing authority.
The fund will be paid directly to the vehicle licensee (upon completion of the application process) rather than via accredited dealers, lease or finance providers.
The exception to this is if the vehicle is purchased from LEVC Brewery Road or Cab Direct. In this instance the payment will be made directly to LEVC Brewery Road with the grant amount deducted from the vehicle price.
There are a number of government grants available that you may qualify for.
Retrofits are not permitted for funding as part of the Hackney Support Fund.
The replacement vehicle you purchase should be the same as your proposed replacement vehicle in your application and FAN issued. If the replacement vehicle purchased is not the same as the above proposed replacement vehicle in this FAN, you will not be eligible for the grant payment.
If you decide that you want to purchase a different vehicle type to the vehicle type specified on the FAN, you should get in contact with us (hackneygrant@growthco.uk) as soon as possible.
You will need to make a new application, and your grant will be subject to available funding and on a first come first served basis.
Yes. If you decide that you do not want to pursue a vehicle upgrade after you have received a FAN, you can withdraw your application in the Hackney Support Fund portal.
If you decide to withdraw your application and then change your mind, you will need to get in contact with us as soon as possible (hackneygrant@growthco.uk).
You will need to make a new application and grant availability will be subject to available funding.