Taxi & Private Hire Hub

Posted on: 29 July 2026

Dear members,

GMB recently attended a Department for Transport (DfT) Round Table on the Taxi and Private Hire Bill.

The following are the contributions we made on behalf of members.

NATIONAL STANDARDS

We raised our concerns that significant gaps exist in the proposals for National Standards, which increase driver obligations but are light on any driver rights or protections - GMB's position on National Standards is outlined in a post below this one (15th May 2025).

CROSS BORDERING/RE-LOCALISING LICENCING

An informal series of options for cross-border rules were tabled for discussion - we argued that any cross-border restrictions have to be considered within the framework of other potential changes in the industry.

For example, the consultation on merging licencing areas which would create physically larger licensing areas i.e. with fewer borders, this would also have an impact on local transport plans i.e. perhaps including how many vehicles can be sustained in an area.

Our view is that this could also a basis for capping vehicle/driver numbers to help stabilise earnings and provide the foundations of a mechanism to manage any future introduction of AV's.

SIGNAGE

There were mixed responses from participants as to the necessity of signage given the technology available, lot of thought that technological reassurance had overtaken the concerns. Our position was that we don't believe signage is necessary.

ENFORCEMENT AND APPEALS

We raised that there is no independent process to support drivers in disputes, and a lack of 'natural justice' too. Our view is that any complaints process for riders, should be both independent and incorporate drivers too.

AV'S

There was a limited discussion on AV's as they are outside the scope of the present Bill, as they are not taxis or private hire, even if they accept paying passengers in the future. GMB reiterated our opposition to AV's for a number of reasons which we detailed previously: https://youtu.be/xMphWWCKiCU

We will continue to pursue our National Standards proposals as part of building rights and protections for drivers, and to try to ensure that any industry-wide changes are implemented in a way that integrates them as best as possible, and takes into account future challenges too.

Yours in union,

GMB National Officer

Posted on: 18 June 2026

GMB AV OPPOSITION - VIDEO FROM GMB CONGRESS

Dear members,

At our recent GMB Congress in Blackpool a number of motions relating to our private hire driver/platform members were adopted.

Please watch and share this video of GMB National Uber Reps Chair, Ali Haydor, from Congress speaking in support of driver members - how we want agreement on protections for them before the introduction of AV's onto our streets.

https://youtu.be/xMphWWCKiCU

GMB knows that left to the market driver members will be the ones bearing the impact of AV's, to their earnings and livelihoods.

Yours in union,

GMB National Reps           GMB National Officer

Posted on: 8 June 2026

The union’s annual event, held this year in Blackpool, agreed to call on the Government to introduce laws to protect taxi and private hire drivers from job losses and reductions in earnings caused by the rollout of driverless vehicles.

Ali Haydor, Private Hire Driver and GMB Congress Delegate told Congress:

“We hear a lot from those on the right of politics about people not working and relying on benefits, but replacing human workers will potentially push thousands into unemployment and poverty.

“The gig economy firms present driverless taxis as progress - they tell us this technology will increase efficiency, reduce costs and benefit society, but progress for whom?

“Technology will continue to develop, but workers should not be expected to carry all the risks while companies take all the rewards.”

Posted on: 17 April 2026

Dear GMB members,

We have previously called for support for drivers during the current fuel cost crisis.

Not all the Operators replied, and those that did declined to consider any temporary measures.

Last week we again challenged Uber to use their profits to support drivers with your high fuel costs.

We will update you when we get their reply.

Yours in union,

GMB National Uber Reps & GMB National Officer

Posted on: 5 March 2026

Dear members,

NEW UBER FEE

Over the new year period many of you have contacted GMB Reps and Officers with your concerns about the new Uber fee structure. GMB, like drivers, had no say in Uber’s new terms and conditions, and certainly believed that forcing drivers to accept them before they could access the app further was unreasonable.

GMB supports a fully negotiated, fixed fee structure that treats all drivers fairly and transparently.

DYNAMIC PRICING – TRIP RADAR

At the same time members are still concerned about dynamic pricing, Trip Radar and declining earnings. Last year GMB agreed our position on national standards for the taxi and private hire industry, that included:

•  Fare calculation using time by distance travelled;
•  Full transparency over how fares are calculated for both drivers and riders;
•  The principles of natural justice to be incorporated into all procedures involving disputes between drivers and riders.

We are continuing to push on all these issues, including meetings with Government Ministers, Departments and local transport authorities, and all the consultations currently underway.

ONGOING WORK - TRIP RADAR

We have worked with Nottingham Trent University on a Trip Radar investigation that will report in the Spring. Once that has completed, we will share the results with members too.

DYNAMIC PRICING

We have also been canvassing members about participating in a project to better understand how dynamic pricing is impacting member earnings – if you haven’t yet completed it please do so here GMB PH DRIVER MEMBERS - DYNAMIC PRICING SURVEY – Fill in form

At our next quarterly meeting with Uber in March we’ll have our first chance to question the new fee structure. We’ll also be seeking a copy of the economic report that Uber referred to in their evidence in Parliament claiming that drivers earned ?30 per hour.

As members can hopefully appreciate these a wide range of issues impacting Drivers, before we even get onto the wider national picture of potential changes to transport authorities, the introduction of national standards and the introduction of AV’s.

Please ensure you engage with GMB Reps and Regions as we seek to build pressure on all these issues, in addition to local issues members often face with local authorities.

Yours in union,

GMB National Uber Reps & GMB National Officer

Posted on: 11 December 2025

Dear members,

We hope you are well.

The issue of dynamic pricing is impacting on members every day, with GMB receiving reports, questions and challenges from members each day too.

We, like all driver members, do not know enough about dynamic pricing but we know that earnings transparency is vital to all workers.

Therefore we are reaching out to members about whether you want to participate in a project to better understand how dynamic pricing has impacted on you as a driver.

If you would like to participate please complete the short survey so we can gauge the level of member interest.

Link here: GMB PH DRIVER MEMBERS - DYNAMIC PRICING SURVEY – Fill in form

We will send driver members an SMS with the survey link – there is no need to complete it twice.

Please share with other drivers too if you think they would be interested.

We will be in contact once the survey is complete about next steps.

Yours in union,

GMB National Uber Reps          GMB National Officer

Posted on: 11 November 2025

Dear members,

We hope you are well.

Earlier this year GMB members supported calls for capping of PHV numbers.

As Drivers you are the Cinderellas of the transport industry, with almost no rights and standards to support your welfare.

For PHV drivers competition to provide more ‘choice to consumers’ means you lose out on earnings.

GMB supports calls to cap PHV numbers so that local transport networks are sustainable and provide decent earnings opportunities as well as ensuring national standards can be enforced.

We are disappointed with the Minister’s remarks overall but as acknowledged in the reply, cross-bordering rules will require some capping, what else is Wolverhampton going to do with 60,000 drivers licensed over two years?

Finally, any power to limit the number of PHVs an authority licenses would be ineffective without a means to prevent PHVs licensed elsewhere carrying passengers in that authority's area.

From GMB’s point of view this reinforces the need to devolve national powers to transport authorities to make these assessments locally, so that Drivers welfare and standards can be taken into account as part of an integrated and sustainable transport network.

This will also provide a foundation for our call for the measured introduction of autonomous vehicles in the future.

We made these exact points to the recent Transport Select Committee evidence session and will continue to campaign to support Drivers across the UK.

Yours in union,

GMB National Driver Reps          GMB National Officer

Posted on: 15 May 2025

Dear Members,

GMB has a long history of representing drivers on the Taxi and Private Hire industry, which is an integral element of a modern, sustainable and safe transport system.

However, the present licensing system which places clear obligations on operators and details clear rights for customers (riders), is almost silent when it comes to driver safety and welfare.

It is no longer feasible to effectively ignore the safety and welfare of thousands of workers, as it will undermine the future sustainability of the TPH industry, and by association integrated transport systems.

SAFETY

At present there are very detailed obligations on operators to ensure rider safety, and obligations on drivers too (Cert of GC etc) however the safety of drivers themselves, is almost non-existent in licensing requirements.

The failure to incorporate any protective measures for drivers within licensing frameworks is an omission that cannot be sustained.

Drivers are a central component of the TPH industry, and their safety is at least worthy of the same consideration as riders. It is difficult to identify any other industry where the health and safety protections for the workforce are almost non-existent.

On that basis GMB is calling for the following safety measures to be included in national standards:

• Removal of all vehicle signage;
• Mandatory CCTV inc audio within vehicles[1];
• Operators to regularly assess and update health and safety policies for driver protection.

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability, whether economical or environmental, is a key aspiration of any integrated transport system, without is the system loses credibility and efficiencies, and the TPH industry is no different.

[1] This raises questions of funding installation – which should be supported as a safety initiative – in the absence of subsidies, drivers should face no impediment if they choose to install CCTV inc audio recording.

The growth in driver and vehicle numbers is having a detrimental impact on the driver earnings, and any increased volume of journeys overwhelming benefiting operators and riders. The lack of transparency over fares impacts both drivers and riders, with neither one able to assess if ‘fares are fair’, with online operators banning drivers from asking riders about fares they have paid. It is difficult to identify another UK industry where significant sections of the workforce have no transparency or say in how their earnings are calculated.

GMB members report declining hourly earnings, which means the only way to maintain, let alone increase earnings, is to drive for more hours and longer distances, which has a consequential negative impact on infrastructure, road traffic and the environment.

It is not reasonable to expect any UK industry workforce to work for decreasing earnings when the wider industry continues to grow.

GMB believes that national licensing standards need to strike a balance regarding fares, earnings and driver welfare, including:

• Regulators to have powers to cap vehicles numbers as necessary;
• Operator licenses should include a cap on driver numbers;
• Fare calculation using time by distance travelled or;
• Full transparency over how fares are calculated for both drivers and riders;
• Consistency between Regulator and Operator standards in cases of driver deactivation and;
• The principles of natural justice to be incorporated into all procedures involving disputes between drivers and riders.

Yours in union,

GMB NATIONAL PH REPS & GMB NATIONAL OFFICER

Posted on: 18 March 2025

Dear members,

Racism in any workplace is a serious health and safety issue.

In the Summer of 2024 workers were attacked by racist rioters because of their (perceived) ethnic background or faith, and the risk for global majority workers has not gone away this year.

We cannot allow this to happen again.

That’s why GMB is surveying its drivers, riders and couriers members on how the riots impacted them, so we can focus on building future solidarity, and identifying what responsibilities Platform Operators may have under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to provide safe workplaces.

The evidence from this survey will also be used in a Special Report to GMB Congress 2025 on Anti-Racism.

It is vital that you complete the survey so we can stand together against racism and improve safety in all workplaces.

Please complete the survey here: https://www.gmb.org.uk/race-riots-survey

Yours in union,

GMB NATIONAL DELIVEROO, UBER AND UBER EATS REPRESENTATIVES

GMB NATIONAL OFFICER

Posted on: 27 February 2025

Dear Members,

GMB Uber National Committee Reps met with Uber management earlier this week to discuss a number of issues including those we shared prior to the meeting.

At previous meetings your GMB Reps have raised a number of important issues and yesterday there was some movement on some of them too.

Our update in no particular order is:

• For trips with multiple stops we are now expecting a reduction in the level of waiting time between stops;
• We have urged Uber to give Drivers the final decision on riders who try to add more stops after a trip has been accepted;
• We're aware that on occasion Drivers have reported a drop in fare following additional stops being added - we need Drivers to screen shot this and share with your National Rep;
• We proposed a dedicated meeting with Uber on Driver earnings, as there is increasing concern amongst members about earning levels;
• Uber understood that where airport jobs were cancelled then a Driver should be able to return to the same place in the queue, not the end;
• Manchester Airport Geofencing – Uber is investigating complaints that some drivers are not being placed in the queue unless they enter the private hire holding area;
• Airport Queue Opt-Out – We have asked Uber to introduce an opt-out option for drivers who do not wish to take airport jobs;
• Requested again that Riders be prevented from taking screenshots of Drivers profile pictures, particularly because this is often being used in misleading posts on social media;
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Support – Drivers are encouraged to use their accrued clean air fee before the deadline to avoid losing it;
• The EV support scheme has been extended, providing continued assistance for those making the switch;
• Members should also look out for exclusive EV offers, including potential savings on select vehicle models;
• Disappointingly Uber rejected our request to have Holiday Pay taken off the fare offer card and returned to the previous arrangement.
• Uber is open to enhancing the insurance offerings available to TfL drivers and is considering collaborations with other firms that may provide competitive choices and potential savings, subject to market availability;
• We called for stronger protections for Drivers against false allegations to prevent unjust deactivations. Uber indicated that it was prepared to support Police referrals in instances of fraudulent Rider claims;
• We asked if Uber could introduce facial recognition for Riders so that to are actively pursuing discussions to address these issues and ensure that drivers are treated fairly;

We will be monitoring the changes that were discussed in order to ensure that they come onboard.

As a reminder, please monitor trips with multiple stops and if the fare drops after stops are added please make sure you take screen grabs to share with your Reps.

Also as previously mentioned coming up is an online safety survey that will be sent out to members, please make sure you complete it.

Yours in Union,

GMB National Uber Reps & GMB National Officer

Posted on: 19 February 2025

Dear members,

We will shortly be meeting Uber for our regular quarterly meeting.

GMB members have raised the issues below with your Reps, and we have sent into Uber for discussion at the upcoming meeting:

• Driver Earnings – this is a key issue and we are seeking a dedicated meeting to discussing driver earnings;
• Holiday Pay – Many members want Holiday Pay to be removed from the fare offer card;
• Insurance Documents – GMB members are concerned that genuine mistakes are being classed as fraudulent actions;
• Driver Deactivations – GMB members have ongoing concerns at speed of deactivation/level of evidence being relied upon/;

We are also seeking updates on issues that have been raised at previous quarterly meetings, some of them are below:

• Stopping riders from screenshotting Drivers' profile picture;
• Changes in airport cancellation fees;
• Giving Riders the ability to change bookings when needed i.e. X to XL
• Giving Drivers final say when Riders try to add stops/change destination mid-trip;
• Luggage expectations.

GMB has secured changes to Trip Radar since its trial last year but we are aware that it is still causing concern so will continue to engage Uber on the issue.

Following the meeting we will post updates on the talks once we confirm the details.

VALENTINES DAY

Ahead of Valentines Day, GMB knew that many members across the Country would be taking the chance to express their concerns on Valentines day, concerns that we understand.

That’s why GMB proposed to Uber (and Uber Eats/Deliveroo too) that they consider an additional bonus payment for Drivers (and Couriers) who decided to work Valentines Day; something we called for last year in the lead-up to Christmas.

GMB knows that our proposal wouldn’t have solved the overall issue of Driver earnings, but we believed that it was worth proposing to all the operators on behalf of members, and to give Operators a fair opportunity to respond.

As we move forward our focus again turns to the issues listed above including the overall earnings of members.

DRIVER SAFETY

Lastly GMB is worried that there may be an increasing amount of fake online posts about Drivers in our communities.

We will shortly be reaching out to members and the industry about how we can address these concerns.

Please look out for our message/email/survey in the next week.

Yours in union,

GMB National Officer          GMB National Uber Reps 

Posted on: 23 January 2025

Dear GMB Members,

Today there have been public calls for greater transparency over algorithmic transparency from platform operators.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jan/20/food-delivery-apps-ubereats-deliveroo-justeat-urged-to-reveal-how-algorithms-affect-uk-courierss-work

GMB has very clear position on algorithmic transparency, as it is important to supporting members in their efforts to increase their earnings via negotiation.

That’s why we’ve issued the following supportive statement:

"Algorithmic transparency is a massive issue across the entire platform economy.

"How much members are paid is a crucial building block of negotiation between workers and bosses.

"GMB needs to know how and when members are paid if we're going to be effective in raising their earnings and addressing inequality.

"Our members want greater transparency in how their earnings are calculated, particularly in terms of ‘dynamic pricing’, as our members seek to keep pace with the rise in cost of living."

In solidarity,

Eamon O’Hearn

GMB National Officer

Posted on: 6 December 2024

Dear members,

We hope you are all well and that you are looking forward to the festive season.

This is a short update on the recent Bolt decision.

There has been significant coverage of the decision and the two main parties, Leigh Day solicitors and Bolt have yet to reveal their next steps, and we expect that there will either be some form of negotiated settlement or an appeal by Bolt.

We have recently taken our own legal advice on the decision, as we want to also understand how this judgement could impact the industry more widely.

This is also because GMB has recently met with the Government Minister for Local Transport, including Taxi and Private Hire, Simon Lightwood, to outline our support for minimum industry standards, particularly those that include rights and standards for drivers.

This is just the start of the process but we are beginning to coordinate GMB members and resources across all our Regions to identify members’ priorities, and continue the campaign for dignity and respect for driver members.

Over the coming months we will be seeking your views, and asking you to actively support the campaign, so please ensure that when we send out surveys you take the chance to have your say or join us in campaign activities.

Yours in union,

GMB National Officer

Posted on: 8 November 2024

Dear members,

Today an Employment Tribunal has reached a decision on the status of Bolt drivers.

It builds on the decision GMB secured against Uber and brings the issues of wating time and multi-apping into focus.

GMB will be reviewing the judgement as well as convening a meeting of National Reps to consider the implications for individual members, but also for the industry as a whole.

At first glance it appears to provide clarity on waiting time for drivers who are only logged into the Bolt app, but the judgement doesn’t explore multi-apping.

We will do our best to provide updates to members as we go along.

Yours in union,

GMB National Uber Reps & GMB National Officer

Posted on: 13 December 2022

GMB has submitted a collective grievance to Bolt management, followed up by a series of test cases to the employment courts. We are campaigning with licensing authorities to make sure Bolt treat its drivers to the industry standard – offering them guaranteed minimum earnings, holiday pay, representation before de-platforming and accepting a duty of care for drivers for the safety and well being.

The UK Supreme Court has already confirmed these rights for drivers using similar Apps and an industry standard has been established that Bolt should follow.

Drivers using the Bolt platform are encouraged to join the GMB legal action to enforce this judgement – even if you also drive for Uber and other platforms. Please click on the link to get involved.

GMB Union takes on Bolt App over not providing self employed worker rights

Dear Colleagues,

The next cab to leave the rank in GMB Union drivers fight to level up the Private Hire Sector and obtain for drivers the self-employed rights that are being denied to them by Bolt. Just around the time of the outbreak of Covid GMB Union was sitting down and talking to Bolt senior executives regards setting up a positive relationship and making an agreement that covered all drivers. Our demands were the same then as they are now, that Bolt drivers are self-employed, but because they are controlled by Bolt, therefore they are denying drivers certain legal rights and protections that self-employed drivers are entitled to.

The simple question is as a driver do you want:

• Guaranteed Pay rise of 12.04%
• Holiday Pay
• Protection of earnings being the minimum of NLW
• A contributory company pension scheme
• Protection from whistleblowing and detriments

We believe you do - GMB Union won for drivers using the Uber app, and we will win for drivers using the Bolt App.

Existing GMB members - Sign up to our legal claim now it is that simple - click on the link Need support? Contact us | GMB

Not a GMB member: (or you know someone that uses the Bolt App) - get them to join the GMB Union on the grade 2 contribution rate click here Join GMB | GMB

Want to Know More? click on the link Need support? Contact us | GMB

See just some of the press and media links on these court cases click on the link https://www.gmb.org.uk/bolt

Union takes Bolt to court over pension rights - FTAdviser.com

GMB targets Bolt in fresh workers' rights legal action | GMB

Yours In solidarity

Mike Tinnion Mick Rix

President GMB T&PHNOC National Officer, GMB