Dec 2016

...The number of drivers in London operating with a private hire licence has almost doubled since the turn of the decade…A significant number of these new drivers work with Uber…classed by the company as being self-employed. The irresistible rise of Uber embodies the rapid growth since 2010 of what is called the ‘gig economy’…Drivers who have worked with Uber for several years were keen to note in their testimonies how pleased they were during their early months with the company. However, it was reported to us how the fares and conditions have so deteriorated in the past two years that, as a result, many drivers now feel trapped…There are four aspects of working life with Uber which we examine in this report, that seem to bear a close resemblance with what the Victorians would have called ‘sweated labour’...