A group of London black cab drivers has planned legal action against Uber in an effort to claim "millions of pounds in lost earnings".

The Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association (LTDA) and 11 other organisations hired solicitors to determine if they have a case against the ride-hailing app.

The LTDA claims its drivers, who have average annual earnings of £50,000, have each lost £10,000 a year since Uber began operating in London in 2012.

Uber declined to comment.

It said it would not provide a response as it was "not at all clear what the basis for any legal action would be".

The group, named Cabbie Group Action, also includes members from Unite, United Cabbies Group and London Cab Drivers Club.

It plans to bring a claim in the High Court against Uber for loss of income on the basis that it "has operated unlawfully between 2012-2017".

LTDA said it is working with economists and expect damages could be in excess of £500m.

David Barda, a senior litigation lawyer at Slater and Gordon said the group had "no obvious cause of action" against Uber and that they were "essentially complaining about competition".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-45084314 
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Carlisle

Detectives investigating an alleged rape in a village near Carlisle are appealing for a taxi driver who may be a potential witness to come forward.

Police received a report in the early hours of last Monday morning that a rape had taken place at an address in Wetheral.

Officers would like to speak to the driver of a dark-coloured minibus-style taxi which left the A69 at Warwick Bridge in the direction of the Co-op store at approximately 2am that morning.

They believe the driver could hold key information.

A spokesman for Cumbria Police said: "The driver is asked to contact police on 101 and ask to speak to an officer from the North Cumbria Crime and Safeguarding Team."

Paul Fuller, 36, from Greenhill, Brampton, was charged with rape, three counts of sexual assault and possession of an offensive weapon.

He appeared at Carlisle's magistrates’ court on Tuesday where he denied the offences and was remanded in custody.

His next court appearance is scheduled for August 28.

Source: News and Star