Here at Anything for Hire, we are proud to be working with private hire drivers across the UK, eager to promote the wonderful transport hire services within our customers’ reach. This is why we see it as our job to stay abreast of what is going on in the world of private hire.
This week has been an explosive one for the UK transport industry, with private hire drivers said to be suing the Mayor of London, Sadiq Kahn.
A new congestion charge is the reasoning behind this, with professional drivers having to pay £11.50 daily to drive in London as of April 8th. Introduced by Sadiq Khan, this charge is being contested by private hire drivers, including professionals working under Uber. The intention for this charge is to limit congestion and reduce air pollution; two things Khan has continuously made attempts to address.
But, why such a big backlash? Well, many are arguing that the charge is discriminating against black, Asian and drivers from other minority ethnic backgrounds. This is due to the fact that ‘traditional’ back cabbies will be exempt from the charge.
One Uber driver shares his thoughts on how finding an additional £60 a week will be crippling to his finances.
“I will be punished for coming to work,” he said.
“This is a tax on poor drivers.”
A detailed report has now been sent to the Mayor of London, pressing on the fact that 94% of London’s private hire drivers are from ethnic backgrounds, giving them reason to believe that the charge is discriminating against a large proportion of London drivers.
“As the majority of PHV drivers (about 94%) are from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and many are from deprived areas, there is a disproportionate impact on these groups,” said the report.
The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) will now review this, working to get this new ruling reversed.
“We would urge the mayor to adopt one of the many alternative policies which would actually address congestion, instead of just penalising low-paid ethnic minority workers,” said IWGB general secretary, Dr Jason Moyer-Lee.
Let us know what you think, should this charge be reversed or had Khan made the right decision for the city?
