Uber to lose license to operate in London

As of 30th September 2017, Uber’s license to operate in London will end and will not be renewed. The news came as a bit of a shock for avid users of the revolutionary method of getting around. Transport for London (TfL), the body that governs all modes of transport and regulates the industry have outlined that Uber is “not fit and proper” to hold a private operator license any longer. TfL have come forward to say that the reason for the decision was on the grounds of “public safety and security implications”.

It has been apparent that Uber have had a lacklustre approach to reporting serious criminal offences. They have also been difficult in their approach to obtaining medical certificates and performing background checks into the drivers. Nigel Mackay at Leigh Day, a law firm which challenged Uber’s approach to their working practices, said the appeal could very well “go all the way to the Supreme Court”.

It is possible for people to still use Uber in London during the period up until the license ends. Uber has 28 days to make an appeal in which they have assured TfL they will. But, there is still a loophole! The license for Uber will not be renewed in London only, which means that bookings can still be made outside of London as long as the service has its license. Therefore, you can book an Uber outside of London where they still hold a license and be dropped off in London without any issues. They would only need to hold the license in the area of booking and where the driver is registered.

But Uber is not unknown to controversies over its handling of their workers. If we think back to 2016 the landmark employment tribunal case saw that Uber drivers are legally classified as workers and not self-employed. Opening them up to rights that usual workers should have. It has not just been the UK either, there have been multiple cases outside of the UK including New Delhi and Texas.

I am sure that this will not be the end of Uber in London. There will be an appeal which is guaranteed to make more important points about how the world needs to adapt to the ‘gig economy’ that we now live in. Does this mean that TfL are too behind with their regulations and need to adapt more, or is it a necessary form of regulation? All that is certain is that the ‘gig economy’ is becoming a more significant way of life. A way of life which regulations will, at some point, need to consider.