NATIONWIDE

One in every 100 workers in England now driving a minicab or taxi following the Uber revolution, figures suggest. There are now some 362,600 licensed drivers of taxis or private hire vehicles in England, a rise of 50 per cent since the mid-2000s, the data shows (file image)

Figures suggest the increase is based on minicabs booked in advance via online apps or over the phone, as opposed to taxi cabs hailed on the street, which has seen an overall decrease in the past year.

Uber, launched in 2012, allows drivers who use the app to log on or off whenever convenient and drive at hours that suit them, making it a popular method of adding a second source of income to households.

The one in 100 statistic comes as separate date shows the working-age population to be about 34.3 million, The Times reported.

Despite the income boost to drivers, critics point to the rise in congestion and pollution following the minicab boon.

London mayor Sadiq Khan announced that all minicab drivers would be forced to pay congestion charges and the daily ultra-low emission zone fee to operate in central London. 

Figures suggest the increase is based on minicabs booked in advance via online apps or over the phone, as opposed to taxi cabs hailed on the street, which has seen an overall decrease in the past year

 
The figures come after the government commissioned a review into the industry amid concerns over regulation.

In 2017, Transport for London withdrew Uber's licence over fears about passenger safety and driver vetting.

Nearly 1 million people signed a petition demanding the decision be reversed, forcing TfL to give the American firm a 15-month licence, which was extended this week until the end of November.

Uber says that it has increased safety features and better protections for drivers.

Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association, said yesterday: 'The number of private hire vehicles across the country is a major problem.

'Most of the drivers are earning less than minimum wage and having to work extraordinarily long hours to keep the wolf from the door.

'Report after report has also identified how private hire vehicles, particularly in London, are a major cause of congestion.'  

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