DfT maintains subsidy for SAFED for Vans

19 June 2009

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that it will maintain the SAFED for Vans subsidy that is available to businesses in England at the 2008-09 levels until the end of September 2009.

This action demonstrates the understanding the DfT has of the tough economic challenges faced by fleet operators and helps to ensure that they are still able to benefit from the savings SAFED for Vans driver training can deliver. This is a ‘special offer’ as it is the last chance that businesses and organisations with more than 250 employees will be able to get SAFED training at a subsidised rate.

Dan Rapson, SAFED for Vans Programme Manager says “SAFED for Vans training has been extremely popular with van operators and drivers, the demand for the training has been high and it has delivered excellent results, but economic conditions have meant that businesses are looking to cut their costs wherever possible. This move from the DfT demonstrates a commitment from the Government to support businesses in these unprecedented times. This really is a last chance for bigger businesses to take advantage of the support that’s on offer”

Launched in January 2006, the aim of SAFED for Vans training is to help van drivers achieve cheaper, greener and safer driving.Since the original launch, the DfT has committed nearly £2.2m and the programme has trained over 10,000 drivers.

Fleet managers and van drivers interested in finding out how SAFED for Vans could benefit their business should call the SAFED helpline on 0870 190 8440.

SAFED driver training also available for aggregates, which is subsidised at last years levels for the same period, and HGVs. Information can be found www.safed.org.uk