Uber could stay on the road if it changes, says Labour
The opposition backs the decision not to renew the taxi-hailing company's licence in London, as growing numbers demand a rethink.
Sunday 24 September 2017 13:55, UK
Uber could stay on the road if it met the "reasonable" demands set out by Transport for London, senior Labour frontbencher Diane Abbott has said.
Speaking to Sky News, the shadow home secretary backed the not to renew the taxi-hailing company's licence in London.
She said: "TfL is right to say that Uber is not fit and proper to run the service.
"But Uber could, even at this late stage, improve its levels of vetting of its drivers. It could treat its drivers fairly, give them the minimum wage.
"And if they were to meet the reasonable demands of TfL, Uber could stay on the road."
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has also said TfL had raised "serious concerns" about safety, but indicated Uber had the opportunity to "mend its ways".
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TfL said Uber had demonstrated "a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications".
It told the California-based company once its current licence expires on 30 September, it will not be renewed.
The General Secretary of UNISON said Uber had its licence removed to protect the security of passengers.
Dave Prentis told Sky's Sunday with Paterson programme that Uber is a new development and "looks great on paper", but added: "What you can't ignore is the safety of the people who are being carried.
"The real reason why we have come to this impasse has been that there is no safety checks on the drivers that meet proper standards, the problem is being hidden from the regulators and they're using really bad practices that could put people in danger.
"If they solved the issues of being identified then it may be that the licence will not be taken away - and you've got to remember as well, it hasn't been stopped, they can appeal against it but they have got to answer some of the massive criticisms being made by what is a really good regulator in London."
The taxi app firm has said it plans to appeal against last Friday's decision by TfL.
An online petition urging a rethink has now received more than 600,000 signatures.