Uber gives UK drivers sick pay and benefits
Ride-hailing app bows to growing political and legal pressure over workers’ rights

Uber has bowed to pressure and is set to offer its UK drivers a range of workers’ protections including sick pay, insurance cover and parental leave.
The ride-hailing app, which is currently engaged in legal battles in London, York and Brighton over the renewal of its operating licence, has said it will offer benefits to 70,000 of its UK ‘partners’ in a bid “to demonstrate it is a responsible member of the so-called gig economy”, says Sky News.
The decision follows a landmark ruling last year, when a British employment tribunal upheld a ruling that UK-based Uber drivers should be classed as staff, not self-employed workers, and are therefore entitled to holiday pay and the minimum wage.
Speaking in Paris on Wednesday, Uber’s boss Dara Khosrowshahi promised to introduce “groundbreaking protections” across Europe, where it has around 150,000 drivers.
He said that the move showed the company was “committed to being a better partner” and that it would “continue to ensure that the voices of the drivers and couriers are heard as we take Uber forward together”.
Following a number of high-profile scandals that rocked the company under his predecessor, Travis Kalanick, “ever since Dara Khosrowshahi took over as CEO last August he has tried to project an image of a kinder gentler Uber” says BBC technology correspondent Rory-Cellan-Jones, “and that conciliatory style is evident in this move”.
Amid an atmosphere of growing political and legal pressure, the latest measures have provoked a mixed response from politicians and unions, with accusations the company is merely trying to pre-empt regulatory action that could harm its business model.
The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) criticised the company, likening its announcement to a publicity stunt rather than a genuine move to address workers' concerns.
It is true “drivers are not going to get the kind of benefits they would enjoy as employees”, says Cellen-Jones, “but there will be a little something to help them deal with life’s ups and downs”.
-
From Da Vinci to a golden toilet: a history of museum heists
In the Spotlight Following the ‘spectacular’ events at the Louvre, museums are ‘increasingly being targeted by criminal gangs’
-
Can Gen Z uprisings succeed where other protest movements failed?
Today's Big Question Apolitical and leaderless, youth-led protests have real power but are vulnerable to the strongman opportunist
-
The allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria
The Explainer West African nation has denied claims from US senator and broadcaster
-
Taking the low road: why the SNP is still standing strong
Talking Point Party is on track for a fifth consecutive victory in May’s Holyrood election, despite controversies and plummeting support
-
How should Keir Starmer right the Labour ship?
Today's Big Question Rightward shift on immigration and welfare not the answer to 'haemorrhaging of hope, trust and electoral support'
-
What difference will the 'historic' UK-Germany treaty make?
Today's Big Question Europe's two biggest economies sign first treaty since WWII, underscoring 'triangle alliance' with France amid growing Russian threat and US distance
-
Is the G7 still relevant?
Talking Point Donald Trump's early departure cast a shadow over this week's meeting of the world's major democracies
-
Angela Rayner: Labour's next leader?
Today's Big Question A leaked memo has sparked speculation that the deputy PM is positioning herself as the left-of-centre alternative to Keir Starmer
-
Is Starmer's plan to send migrants overseas Rwanda 2.0?
Today's Big Question Failed asylum seekers could be removed to Balkan nations under new government plans
-
Has Starmer put Britain back on the world stage?
Talking Point UK takes leading role in Europe on Ukraine and Starmer praised as credible 'bridge' with the US under Trump
-
Left on read: Labour's WhatsApp dilemma
Talking Point Andrew Gwynne has been sacked as health minister over messages posted in a Labour WhatsApp group