Minicab drivers deliver coffin to London Mayor in protest to driver exploitation

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Minicab drivers staged a protest at London City Hall on Thursday to highlight Transport for London's inaction on driver exploitation, increased costs and assaults on drivers.

The funeral protest involved workers from UPHD holding a vigil outside City Hall before delivering a coffin to Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London. Minicab drivers, who are already suffering from poverty wages, protested about increased charges by TfL that would cause them further financial strain. The plan by the the Mayor to impose a daily congestion charge on minicab drivers, was already rejected last week by the London Assembly and dismissed by Assembly Member Len Duvall dismissing as ‘discriminatory’.The protest continues UPHD's campaign to end TfL's discrimination against private hire drivers. Uber were exposed as using "sweated labour" in a report by Frank Field MP, yet the Mayor has failed to address working conditions.Muhumed Ali, UPHD London Organiser said: “Instead of addressing the scandal of sweatshop conditions in the minicab trade, TfL are adding to the misery by punishing drivers with a congestion charge. Their failure to act amounts to institutional racism. The Mayor should follow New York’s lead by capping licensing and protecting workers from exploitation.”

September 14, 2018 at 11:58PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Rotherhithe Tunnel closes for weekend in preparation for new vehicle access restrictions

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The Rotherhithe Tunnel will be closed from 22:00 tonight until 05:00 on Monday morning, so that Transport for London (TfL) can carry out essential investigative work on the tunnel’s ventilation system. From Monday morning, when the tunnel reopens, new restrictions will be in place for goods vehicles.TfL has carried out a detailed analysis of the century old tunnel’s ventilation system. The tunnel was built in 1908 and was never designed to cope with modern levels of traffic. A recent inspection of the ventilation system has identified the need to carry out improvements.The tunnel will be closed this weekend to allow engineers to conduct a more detailed assessment of the ventilation system. They will be working around the clock during the closure to complete the assessment, which will allow TfL to set out plans for any future repairs that may need to take place. A planned closure Blackwall Tunnel for Saturday evening has been cancelled to help relieve traffic and give drivers an alternative option. Additional vehicle restrictions in the tunnel will be needed once it reopens to traffic on Monday. The maximum permitted vehicle height will now be set at 2m (with a maximum weight of 2 tonnes for goods vehicles) - smaller than the previous maximum vehicle size.

Taxis will be exempt from the weight restriction and can carry on using the tunnel.

Goods vehicles are advised to use Tower Bridge, as these vehicles will not be allowed to use the Rotherhithe Tunnel.Glynn Barton, TfL’s Director of Network Management, said: “Safety is our top priority and this closure and changes to the vehicles allowed in the tunnel are absolutely necessary to ensure the tunnel’s future. This assessment can only be carried out when the tunnel is fully closed to all traffic, and while the work takes place we strongly advise drivers to avoid the area around the tunnel and to allow more time for their journeys.”

September 14, 2018 at 05:51PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Taxi driver jailed for killing cyclist after gruelling 13 hour shift

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A taxi driver from Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, has been jailed for three years for killing a cyclist after falling asleep behind the wheel of his vehicle.

Craig Gough, 36, crashed into Jack Berry, 26, who was cycling on the A48 near Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan in October last year. The court heard that Gough had worked a “grossly excessive” shift of 13 hours, causing him to fall asleep behind the wheel of his taxi moments before he collided with Berry and two other cyclists. All three cyclists were said to be dressed in reflective clothing and safety equipment, making them “well lit” and easily visible. Cardiff Crown Court heard that Berry would have been visible for 15 seconds leading up the the time of impact. Mr Berry, who was described as a “great husband”, spent six months in the Army and completed a tour of Afghanistan. His dream was to one day own his own restaurant.

(Jack Berry, 26)

Mr Berry’s family have decided to carry on his legacy filled with anger, but instead stay strong and celebrate his life. With the help of fundraising and their own savings, his family has built a school in his wife’s country of birth, Fiji. Craig Gough previously admitted causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to three years in jail.

All images courtesy of South Wales Police and family handouts.

September 14, 2018 at 05:20PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

UCG to launch group legal action against TfL, Uber and Westminster Magistrates Court

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Taxi organisation United Cabbies Group has instructed senior commercial QC to provide a legal opinion on taking legal action against Transport for London, Westminster Magistrates Court and Uber along with support from a “key group of trade suppliers”.

The UCG day it is now time for drivers to support action for the right earned by completing the Knowledge of London, abiding by strict regulations enforced by TfL and being forced to drive a prescribed purpose-built vehicle which is both Wheelchair Accessible and subject to very rigorous Conditions of Fitness.

“This is an unprecedented legal challenge against Uber, Transport for London and Westminster Magistrates Court. It will shock many how Uber operate and are allowed to operate under the watchful blindness of the regulatory body there to protect” says Robert Griffiths QC and Barrister Stuart Jessop of 6 Pump Court, Temple.

This group action will take action:

Against Westminster Magistrates and Judicially Review the decision to grant a license to Uber on the basis of conflict of interest and flawed reasoning.Against Transport for London under multiple causes of action including its failure to regulate the statutory regime.Against Uber under multiple causes of action including economic torts and the interference of your exclusive right to ply for hire.

In a statement made the UCG added: “It has long been known by members of the trade that Uber operates a model which is identical to hailing and therefore infringes London taxi drivers’ exclusive right to ply for hire. This action will seek to address that injustice.

“In this action we will forcefully pursue the argument that TfL knew or ought to have known that Uber is not and has never been a fit and proper person to hold an Operators’ Licence.

“One of the many reasons why it will be argued that Uber is not a fit and proper person includes issues relating to its corporate structure and fiscal operations.

“This is a concerted, comprehensive and unprecedented action against key parties including the regulatory body (TfL) and will seek to bring each and all parties to account for their part in the damage caused to our 360-year-old trade.

“Other similar actions are exclusively seeking damages, but this action will seek more than damages for any previous loss. It will seek to protect our exclusive right to ply for hire and ensure that PHV drivers and London Taxi drivers compete fairly.

“It will seek to protect the trade from current and further threats to its exclusive right to ply for hire and ensure that the distinct Two-Tier System is restored and not eroded.”

“We will seek to protect and preserve your exclusive right to ply for hire from current and future threats, the two-tier system has to be restored” added Darren Rogers from Chiltern Law

Although the initial instructions have been given by UCG, this is not a singularly UCG action. The United Trade Action Group (UTAG) is made up from a “wider group of taxi supporters”.

The UTAG will rely on donations made via a crowdfunder to proceed.

September 14, 2018 at 10:55AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Mobile phone users could be caught out by new speed camera technology

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New speed camera technology, which can detect a myriad of other offences, including mobile phone offences have gone live in Devon and Cornwall.

Among other offences which can be picked up by the high definition cameras, are seatbelt offences, as well as not having the vehicle under proper control.

The camera's work equally as well at night as they do during the day, and have been deployed next to average speed cameras in the area.

It seems that it will only be a matter of time before the cameras go nationwide.

Therefore the simplest way to avoid detection is not to commit an offence in the first place, as technology becomes smarter there are fewer and fewer places to hide.

September 14, 2018 at 10:32AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Ex-Uber exec Rachel Whetstone could be sued

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A former Uber executive is set to sue Rachel Whetstone, former senior vice-president of communications and public policy for Uber for allegedly spreading false rumours.

Business Insider revealed that Eric Alexander, who was fired after it was discovered that he had obtained the medical files of a rape victim, is suing Whetstone for the alleged false rumours which led to his dismissal.

There is, at this moment in time, no documentary ecidence to support Alexander’s claims.

The case centres around a 2014 rape case in India, Alexander was the head of Uber's Asia Pacific region.

Alexander had worked with police in New Delhi to get the attacker jailed for life, however it was revealed that the rapist had faved a previous accusation.

The victim then sued Uber, during which time Alexander obtained the victims medical records.

Uber subsequently agreed to an out of court settlement totalling $3 million.

Lawyers representing Alexander believe that Whetstone was responsible for spreading false information in relation to Alexander's response to the rape.

In the past Alexander has publically accused Whetstone of racism, she in turn criticised Alexander over the issue surrounding the medical files.

It is alleged that when Whetstone left Uber in 2017, she insisted that she be protected from disparagement, however this goes against the norm when receiving a payout.

This then became the basis for which Whetstone is being sued, as Alexander was named (amongst others) on a clause pertaining to her final settlement.

The basis of the lawsuit can be read here at Eric Alexander vs Rachel Whetstone

Rachel Whetstone is no stranger ro controversy given her links to former Prime Minister, David Cameron, other members of the Conservative Party, as well as her family links to the Institute of Economic Affairs and The Adam Smith Institute.

September 13, 2018 at 10:50PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Door slammed on CS11 cycle route as TfL thwarted by Westminster council

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Westminster Council have sensationally won a High Court action against Transport for London thwarting CS11, the cycle route between Regents Park and Swiss Cottage.

Presiding judge, Sir Ross Cranston, agreed with Westminster Council that Transport for Londons plans surrounding the cucle route were unlawful. The decision itself could be seen as setting a precedent.

Although the scheme garnered 60% support from across London after a consultation, residents and businesses in the areas adjacent to the cycle route were heavily opposed to the plans.

The ruling followed a judicial review hearing last Thursday, with TfL claiming that legislation passed in 1999 on strategic planning matters countermands local authority legislation.

Concerns were raised over traffic modelling, with displaced traffic being forced into residential streets around the Hampstead area seen as a major concern.

The original plans drawn up for CS11 would have seen the cycle route stretch from the heart of the West End up to Brent Cross.

This plan was pared back, leaving the stary point (or finish point) at Portland Place.

The full judicial report can be read here at Westminster City Council vs TfL

Tfl are now looking at the possibility of appealing the decision according to Ham and High

September 13, 2018 at 08:32PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Three males who used strong acids, alkalis and knives to rob and maim taxi drivers are jailed

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Two men and a teenager have been jailed today at Wood Green Crown Court for a total of more than 30 years for carrying out 19 knife and acid attack robberies in north and east London.The horrific attacks targeted taxi drivers and people selling items via Gumtree. The group used strong acids, alkalis, and knives, to rob and maim their victims, some of whom will never recover from their injuries.Antoine Mensah, 21, was sentenced to 13 years, extended to 17 years, in prison after pleading guilty to a conspiracy to rob comprising 19 counts of robbery as well as a planned robbery, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a bladed article. Mensah also pleaded guilty to six counts of assault in an unrelated case. Mensah will serve a minimum of 8 years and 8 months in prison.Miracle Osondu, 19, was sentenced to 11 years, extended to 15, in prison after pleading guilty to a conspiracy to rob comprising 19 counts of robbery as well as a planned robbery, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a bladed article. A separate charge of theft from 2017 will remain on file. Osondu will serve a minimum of seven years and four months in prison.Reporting restrictions were lifted on the teenager involved at the instruction of the judge. He is Mohammed Ali, 17, was sentenced to eight years, extended to 12 years, in prison after pleading guilty to a conspiracy to rob comprising 19 counts of robbery as well as a planned robbery, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a bladed article. Ali will serve a minimum of five years and four months in prison.

The court heard that between 26 April and 14 May 2018, the trio embarked on a series of robberies that involved robbing mini-cab drivers at knifepoint and using strong chemicals to rob people they had arranged to buy and sell mobile phones from the Gumtree website.The first offence they committed occurred on 26 April, where the three took a taxi to a street in Enfield where they robbed their taxi driver, threatening to stab him.This quickly escalated to physically restraining taxi drivers and on two occasions producing a knife with which they threatened the drivers. Following this, they moved on to targeting unsuspecting victims from Gumtree.In one incident on 11 May, the trio arranged to meet their victim, a 40-year-old male, in High Road, Barnet N12, pretending that they were going to buy a phone from him. There Mensah and Osondu sprayed ammonia in the victim’s face, tackling him to the ground and stole his phone. The victim was left with serious eye injuries with irritation, burning and permanent impact on his vision. The psychological impact on the victim has been considerable and ongoing.In another, on 12 May, the trio arranged to meet a different victim, a 49-year-old male, in Meadow Close, Barking IG11, on this occasion pretending that they were going to sell a phone to him. There they sprayed acid in the face of the victim before stealing cash and the contents of his wallet from him, then returned and sprayed him again before making off. The victim has sustained life-changing injuries, losing the majority of the vision in one eye, causing him to have to leave his previous employment.On 14 May Enfield Proactive Unit officers, using a wide range of policing tactics, tracked the suspects to a taxi travelling from Enfield to Ilford en-route to commit another robbery. The trio were stopped in Mortlake Road, IG1 with the assistance of armed officers. Mensah, Osondu and the 17-year-old were stopped in the taxi and were found in possession of a bottle of PH1 acid, a 22cm long knife, nearly £2,000 in cash, balaclavas and multiple phones.They were taken into custody where they gave no comment interviews. All three were charged on 17 May.In a Victim Personal Statement, one of the victims who suffered life-changing injuries said: "The initial injuries were that my skin was burnt all over, even in my mouth and on my tongue. The whole thing was just so excessive. Even after I gave them what was in my pockets, they kept pouring acid over me, just because they could."When I looked in the mirror and saw my injuries for the first time, I felt like I had become a zombie in just two hours. They could have taken my money or physical possessions if they had just threatened me, I wouldn’t have fought back because they’re just possessions. Even when they threw acid over me, I still didn’t fight back and just tried to shield my face from them. It was horrid trying to wash my face and feeling the acid all over me and it was so hard to clean it off and so painful. My right eye went entirely white, which was horrible to see. Friends came to visit me and I didn’t want them to see me because I knew it would upset them."Socially, my life has been really impacted. I used to be an outgoing, bubbly person. I enjoyed running, cycling and other activities, and anything that relied on my eyesight has been robbed from me. My mood from day to day hinges almost entirely on my vision and my medical condition. I feel happier when it improves, but that rarely lasts, and when it hasn’t improved or is worse, I feel worse too. Even things that don’t rely on my eyesight I have been less willing to do. I used to never be at home and would always be out socialising, but now I’m always at home, I feel tired and sleep a lot. I used to be a really trusting person, but since what happened I have lost so much confidence in other people.”Investigating officer Detective Constable James Rush, from Enfield Major Crime Unit, said: “These males appeared to feel no guilt over their actions, using strong acids, alkalis, and knives, to rob and maim their victims without a second thought for the impact the injuries they inflicted would have.“Over the course of their offending they carried out 19 robberies, leaving victims with life-changing injuries. They also conspired to rob many more.“They are dangerous individuals and these lengthy prison sentences are the only way to ensure the public are kept safe.“Their behaviour is truly shocking. I commend the bravery of all the victims and witnesses who provided the evidence to help secure these convictions.“I would also commend the efforts and teamwork of the many officers across multiple units whose work contributed to this excellent result.”

September 13, 2018 at 08:02PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

City of London Corporation votes to ban taxis permanently at London’s Bank junction

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The City of London Corporation’s most senior decision-making body has today voted to make the 16-month experimental safety scheme at the Bank junction, permanent.

This decision will be seen as a bitter blow for the London taxi trade who have now seen their access permanently denied. The Court of Common Council made the final decision after months of rigorous scrutiny and consideration by a range of City Corporation committees. With over 4,200 responses to the consultation, the wide-ranging needs of local road users and other stakeholders were considered along with the operational needs of the Square Mile.The scheme, first implemented in May 2017 on an experimental basis, restricts vehicle access to Bank junction to buses and cyclists only, Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm.Chris Hayward, Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee at the City of London Corporation said:“It has been a pleasure seeing the Bank junction monitoring area become a safer place for members of the public to enjoy.“Compliance to the scheme is currently at 96%. Additional measures will be explored to further improve the scheme’s performance and reach that end goal of 100% compliance at the junction.“This would inspire City workers, visitors and residents to truly enjoy the iconic surroundings such as the Bank of England and the Royal Exchange.“I look forward to applying our learnings from this project and continuing to spearhead positive changes across the Square Mile after the City Corporation unveils it’s 25-year Transport Strategy next year.”The ‘Bank on Safety’ experimental scheme is part of ‘All Change at Bank’, an improvements programme which describes the City Corporation’s broader aspirations and long-term proposals for Bank junction.

September 13, 2018 at 04:54PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Landmark case could see huge fines issued for every trip taken place by Uber drivers in Copenhagen over a three year period

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A Supreme Court in Denmark has upheld fines given to four Uber drivers for operating illegally. The decision will now pave the way for similar fines to be issued against a further 1,500 drivers. The drivers were found to not have the correct permits to operate which violates a law that was introduced to combat Uber in Denmark. One of the four drivers was fined £59,778 according to a report in euronews. The landmark case will now give Copenhagen police the power to issue fines for every single journey that has taken place between 2014 and 2017. Uber withdrew from Copenhagen in 2017 when Parliament passed a law that introduced more stringent requirements on taxis, such as mandatory fare meters and sensors on seats. According to sources Uber has said they would pay any fines issued to its drivers.

Copenhagen police will now look into what steps they will take from here.

September 13, 2018 at 03:10PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Drivers suffer petrol price rises for eight out of the last 12 months

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August saw yet another rise in the price of both petrol and diesel meaning that prices have gone up for eight of the last 12 months making both fuels 13p more expensive than this time last year, new RAC Fuel Watch data reveals. Pump prices continue to creep ever upward with unleaded increasing by 1.65p to 130.59p and diesel by 1.32p to 132.19p in the month. A year ago, however, petrol was 117.51p and diesel was 118.37p. Sadly, the combination of a weaker pound and an oil price of over $70 a barrel has sent prices shooting up. In the past year only the months of June, February and October have given drivers a little respite at the petrol pumps. And it was worse for diesel drivers with nine months of increases. The average price of petrol in the UK is now at its highest since the end of July 2014 just before the price of a barrel of oil began to freefall and diesel is at its most expensive since the beginning of October the same year. The very important costly difference for every driver, however, is that back then oil was $106 a barrel and the pound was worth $1.70. Now, in stark contrast, oil finished August at $77.54 while sterling was only worth $1.29 which means both petrol and diesel are far more expensive for retailers to buy on the wholesale market. So despite the lower oil price, the substantially weakened pound has caused fuel prices to reach their highest levels for the last four years. There have been no significant reductions in the average cost of supermarket fuel since 24 June, meaning by the end of August prices had crept up by 3.38p for petrol (123.77p to 127.15p) and by 3.12p for diesel (127.23p to 130.35p). The cost of filling a 55-litre family car with unleaded is £71.82 – an increase of 91p on July and £7.32 dearer than a year ago. For diesel, the equivalent cost is £73.29 for a tank today – 73p more than last month and £8.19 more expensive than at the end of August 2017. RAC fuel spokesperson Simon Williams said: “August was another bad month for motorists and it’s rapidly becoming a horrible year on the UK’s forecourts and it looks like further increases are inevitable. Having benefitted from some very low prices two and a half years ago drivers get a nasty shock every time they go to fill up their cars, having to fork out more and more. “While it’s clearly a tough time for regular motorists unfortunately there is currently no end in sight to the rising cost of fuel. With the pound at such a low against the dollar, and fuel being traded in the US currency, it will only take a moderate rise in the price of oil for some eye-wateringly high prices to be seen at the pumps. “With many factors at play on the global oil market the price of a barrel could easily break through the $80 mark and stay there. If this were to happen it would be dire news for drivers and we could even see pump prices heading towards the record highs of April 2012 when petrol hit an average of 142p a litre and diesel 148p.”Pricing – what has happened to UK pump prices since September 2017

Regional fuel price variation

Regional average unleaded pump pricesThe North East and Scotland suffered the largest rise in the price of unleaded in August at 1.81p a litre. Northern Ireland once again had the cheapest petrol at the start and end of the month, closing August at 129.38p but the East Midlands had the smallest a 1.45p a litre. In the South East unleaded was the most expensive across the UK at 131.46p.Regional average diesel pump prices Diesel went up the most in the North West and North East, increasing by around 1.48p a litre. Northern Ireland experienced the lowest increase at 99p as well having the cheapest diesel at 131.77p a litre. Unsurprisingly, the South East also had the dearest diesel in the land at 134.03p.

September 13, 2018 at 02:59PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Gett Delivers Carbon Neutral Rides and Funds 'Carbon Positive' Projects

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Gett, the ride hailing company for business and consumer rides, is launching a major new initiative to deliver Carbon Neutral rides in further efforts to reduce CO2 emissions in the UK.

The company is reducing its carbon output as it continues to support the adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles across UK cities. Gett will also now give its London business clients the opportunity to ride ‘carbon positive’ through the Gett app, simply by paying 20p extra per ride.

These additional funds will be donated to the 12 central London schools identified in the Mayor of London’s school air quality audit programme. The company is also offsetting 7,500 tonnes of CO2 - the amount it is expected to produce through all business and consumer rides in the following 12 months - by investing in accredited carbon reduction projects provided by Carbon Clear.

In what is a first for a major taxi company in the UK, Gett’s yearly CO2 emissions from its rides will be offset by Carbon Clear, the climate and sustainability consultants.

Gett’s business booking platform, One Transport, gives clients access to the largest black cab and Private Hire mixed fleet in the UK, and through various accredited and recognised global energy solutions they will offset their carbon output in projects that take urgent action against climate change. It is important for global corporations like Gett to have a strong Corporate Social Responsibility to showcase their environmental concerns for the planet. The company will be investing in a Wind Power Generation project in India that displaces the burning of fossil fuels, and the Madre de Dios Project in the Peruvian Amazon that dramatically reduces deforestation. As well as offsetting their carbon emissions across all Gett and One Transport business rides, Gett is offering London cab customers the opportunity to turn their ride ‘carbon positive’ by paying an optional 20p extra per journey. By simply selecting Gett Green on the app when booking a black cab, riders can help contribute to other clean air projects. Part of the funds raised from Gett Green will be donated on an ongoing basis to the 12 central London schools identified by the Mayor of London’s school air quality audit programme. The audits, supported by TfL’s Local Implementation Plans, have made recommendations to reduce emissions and exposure to CO2 around London’s schools. The schools will be able to use the money from Gett Green to help with measures to serve their air quality goals, as outlined in the Healthy Schools London programme. In further efforts to reduce the carbon output from its rides, Gett is continuously supporting the adoption of LEVC TX Electric Taxis in London, Coventry, Edinburgh and Glasgow by promising electric cab drivers that zero commission will be taken on all fares with Gett for their first six months of driving with them. These are the first fully-certified electric taxis to be introduced to the streets of the UK, in a pledge to reduce pollution levels in the dangerously contaminated air. As Gett works with cities existing infrastructure, it does not add any extra vehicles to the UK’s already congested streets. Through electric black cabs, Gett is supporting efforts to improve mobility in UK cities by reducing the number of vehicles on the road, and therefore also pollution levels in the UK. Matteo de Renzi, Gett’s UK CEO says, “Air quality is increasingly becoming more of an issue, not just in London, but across the UK. By becoming Carbon Neutral we’re incredibly proud to be helping cities achieve cleaner air and reduce pollution levels, something that our business clients consider imperative. Offsetting the CO2 our UK rides produce we will positively impact multiple climate projects across the globe. At Gett, we strive to offer the best quality of service and part of this is to ensure our customers that their ride is carbon neutral. With Gett Green, we are also providing our customers with the option to be ‘carbon positive’ to further support the cleaning of London’s air.” Mark Chadwick, CEO of Carbon Clear says, “We are proud to partner with Gett to help them provide their customers with carbon neutral journeys. The science tells us that carbon neutrality is necessary to protect the planet and sustain our livelihoods. Companies making bold commitments to carbon neutrality are taking the lead in climate action.

“The offsetting projects that Gett are supporting are subject to rigorous international standards to ensure they deliver the promised emissions reductions. As well as this, these projects support sustainable development in international communities and have a tangible impact on people’s lives”.

September 13, 2018 at 09:03AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Lead claimant against Uber pen's open letter to Sadiq Khan and says it's time he helped fight the ride-sharing app

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Co-founder for UPHD (United Private Hire Drivers) branch of the IWGB and one of the lead claimants against Uber for workers rights Yaseen Aslam, has written an open letter to the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan asking for his backing to tackle the ride-sharing giants.

Read to full letter here:

Sadiq Khan defeated the odds to become a top lawyer and one of the most powerful Labour politicians in the country. I come from a similar hard-scrabble background, common to first generation Pakistani immigrants, so he’s something of a working-class hero for me.

My parents, devout Muslims, came to a booming Britain of the 1960’s around the same time as the Khan family. Sadiq’s father was a bus driver and mine a factory worker. Nobody had it easy, but the social contract remained intact for immigrants – if you worked hard you could create a better life for your family in the new country.Trade union membership was part of the glue that held these important social contracts together. Unions not only defended people at work but also acted as an important support system helping newly arrived immigrants feel welcome and to become active in the community.My father was a member of the Transport and General Workers Union and was always grateful for what the union had done for him. Sadiq Khan once lamented to the BBC on how his father, as a union member, enjoyed decent pay and benefits whereas his mother, a seamstress, did not have the benefit of union protection and suffered for it.In his declaration of interests as Mayor, Khan boasts today membership of Unite, Unison, GMB and CWU who are meeting this week in Manchester as affiliates of the TUC. It’s a tricky time for the large, affiliated trade unions because membership is on the decline, while abuse of workers, especially in the gig economy has never been more brazen and brutal.Like my father, I too am a trade unionist. But as the nature of work itself is reshaped for the next industrial revolution, I find the IWGB is more responsive to the challenge than the legacy trade union model that served my father’s generation so well.The IWGB’s heartland membership is amongst precarious and gig workers of the low paid service-sector workers. In London alone, there are 114,000 minicab drivers from mostly BME and/or migrant backgrounds who desperately need a trade union on their side. Grassroots organising for this sector is bottom up, hard graft and trust must be earned. But the IWGB is bucking the overall trend and growth in membership, particularly in the minicab drivers branch of which I am a co-founder. Membership here is skyrocketing to make us the largest dedicated union representing minicab drivers in the UK.The struggle for social justice is more complicated than you might think. Yes, we are going back to court against Uber next month for basic employment rights with IWGB lawyers, and we are also taking on other minicab firms in similar battles up and down the country.But what people might not know, is we are all too often having to fight for social justice against local councils and transport authorities such as Transport for London. Surely they should be protecting workers, not fostering their exploitation?Two years ago Frank Field declared Uber labour in London to be sweated labour and called on the Mayor of London to act to eradicate sweatshop conditions – but we’ve seen precious little action. Instead, Transport for London doggedly refuses dedicated trade union recognition for 114,000 mostly BME minicab drivers.Yet 23,000 mostly white British black cab drivers enjoy the choice of five separate driver representative bodies recognised by TfL. We were staggered to even find that TfL tried unsuccessfully to block the Met from working with us on passenger and driver safeguarding issues, despite an epidemic of violence and abuse suffered by working drivers.The Mayor missed an important opportunity in Uber’s recent re-licensing appeal to insist on statutory worker rights protections as a condition of getting their license back. More worryingly, TfL’s most recent private hire strategy paper promotes more of the same by endorsing technology-enabled ‘demand responsive’ business models, that is so wasteful of human capital and the cause of so much congestion. Why can’t the Mayor do more to take the lead from New York to reduce cab levels fairly and protect worker rights?Instead, the Mayor plans to make minicab drivers start paying the congestion charge despite firms like Addison Lee warning that they fully intend to make drivers pay the charge, rather passing it to the customer. The additional cost would mean an extra 11 hours per week on the road for drivers, currently making little more than £5 per hour. This was the last straw for London Assembly Member Len Duvall who said TfL’s ‘discriminatory’ policies had been “rumbled”.That’s why, on Thursday, I will be joining dozens of Uber, Addison Lee and other private hire drivers as we demand that TfL and the Mayor put an end to their discriminatory policies that deny us a voice and bury us in regulatory costs.Like most British people of Pakistani origin, I’m proud to see Sadiq Khan rise to become Mayor of London. But I do want him to remember our common heritage and everything the trade union movement has done for both of us.To Sadiq Khan, we say it’s time to welcome – not block – the work of unions like the IWGB in helping the new generation of workers – gig-economy workers – succeed, just as our fathers in the 1960’s did before us. Who knows – maybe one day a minicab driver’s son might become the Mayor of London.

September 13, 2018 at 08:46AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Uber brand gets make over and a new marketing chief

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Uber have announced a total rebrand following the arrival of Rebecca Messina who will join the company’s executive leadership team as global Chief Marketing Officer. As Uber’s first-ever CMO, Rebecca will aim to bring together Uber’s marketing teams around the world, building a global marketing organisation that can support the company’s growth going forward.

One of her first changes sees the major step away from the corporate cold looking tech logo to a more warm and welcoming font. “Rebecca brings deep experience in building global brands, and she’ll be a terrific leader for Uber’s marketing teams around the world,” said Barney Harford, Uber’s Chief Operating Officer. “We’re excited to learn from her as we work to make Uber one of the world’s most valuable brands, supported by cutting-edge marketing systems.”“Joining Uber is a once in a lifetime opportunity and a true privilege. My focus has always been on three things: people, growth and brands,” said Messina. “Uber checks all three boxes: a rapidly growing global business, with the opportunity to build an iconic brand alongside a team that’s committed to transforming the future of mobility. I couldn’t be more excited about what lies ahead.”

September 13, 2018 at 08:24AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Coram Fields playground reopens thanks to LTCFC grant

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Coram’s Fields announced the official reopening of their nursery playground, after receiving a grant from the London Taxi Drivers’ Charity for Children (LTCFC), formerly known as the LTFUC, for the sum of £18,902.

The generous grant has paid for the resurfacing of the outdoor nursery playground with fun, interactive designs painted on the surface and for the purchase of new, mobile educational play equipment, which supports the development of children attending the nursery.

Coram’s Fields, situated in Camden, serves as a safe place for all children to have fun and play and is one of London’s most unique and beloved children’s charities.In the economic climate, with reduced funding available, the nursery has been able to cover its running costs, but without additional fundraised income, it could not invest in the nursery’s facilities and resources to maintain the space.On the day, the Mayor of Camden, Councillor Jenny Headlam-Wells unveiled the plaque in memory of the late William ‘Bill’ Tyzack BEM, former LTCFC Life President.

September 12, 2018 at 04:42PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Ride-sharing, Black Taxis and cycles are the future of transport believes Uber's new European Director

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Uber's new European Director Jamie Heywood gave a speech on Wednesday 12 at the London Infrastructure Summit where he admitted the controversial ride-sharing company have had a bumpy journey over the last few years. Heywood told his audience that the firm believes that a combination of Uber, Black Taxis and an infrastructure that better supports cycling, there will one day be no need for individuals to own their own cars. Heywood, who believes cooperation is the way forward for his new employers, admitted that its "not something Uber has always been good at in the past" but says the company is opening up "a new chapter". Here's Heywood's speech in full:

We're really proud to be supporting this year's event and discussing some vital issues for the long-term future of our city, especially now that half the population of the capital regularly use Uber to help them get around. And I'm delighted to be on stage for my first public event since joining the business just three months ago - though as ever with a company like Uber a LOT happens in a short space of time! It's clearly been a bumpy road for Uber over the last few years. But we see our licence renewal this summer - and the big set of changes we have made over the last year - as a new chapter for Uber in London.

Of course there is still more work to do, but under our new leadership we're bringing in: Improvements for passengers - from new safety features to 24/7 telephone support;

Improvements for drivers - including for the first time sickness, injury, maternity and paternity protections;

And a new more cooperative approach to how we work with regulators and cities. Our shared vision with TfL Indeed we share much of the vision of Transport for London and the Mayor for a city where people walk and cycle more, drive personal cars less, face less congestion, and breathe cleaner air. Of course this will require continued improvements in public transport, but it also needs the participation and investment of all of us here today. And crucially, if we're really serious about keeping cities moving, the ambition for all of us should be the end of individual car ownership so that every vehicle on the road carries multiple people multiple times a day. Because how can it make sense that the most expensive asset that many of us will ever own - aside from our homes -is a big hunk of metal that sits idle 95 per cent of the time?

How can it make sense that an extraordinary 16% of land in central London is dedicated to parking? And how can it make sense that around six in ten car journeys in the capital have just one person in the vehicle? That's why I believe Uber's real competition is private car ownership. You'll hear more on this from my colleague, Fred Jones, later this morning but... We believe that with great public transport, infrastructure that better supports cycling, apps like Uber filling in the gaps - especially in the outer parts of cities - and yes, black cabs too - there will one day be no need for individuals to own their own car. In fact, the emerging signs of this new future are clear:

In the past 20 years, the number of teenagers holding a driving licence in the UK has fallen by 40%;

More than four in ten Londoners told YouGov that alternatives like Uber can be preferable to owning a car;

And property developers are now promising residents credits for services like Uber if they give up a parking space. What Uber is doing to make it a reality But there is a long way to go. We want our app to become a one-stop shop for every transport option. So, if you need to get from A to B, you'll soon be able to tap our app and see a whole range of choices. Not just cars, but bicycles, public transport and - in some countries - electric scooters too. And if the quickest and cheapest way to get somewhere is by taking a bus or a bike, we'll tell you.

Of course this may cost Uber in the short-term, but we believe it's essential for the long-term success of not just our business but our cities and communities too. And we believe we can be a part of the solution to some of the huge challenges London and other big cities face - not least air quality and congestion. This means we have to work with, not against, others. That's not something Uber has always been good at in the past. But under our new leadership, we are committed to doing things differently: Helping urban planners by opening up our rich journey data for the public good - and you can see our new tool Uber Movement in action in the exhibition stand today;

Innovating with transport operators like Virgin Trains - so that passengers can get seamless door-to-door travel across different transportation modes with just one ticket;

Investing in new ways for people to get around their cities - from shared bikes to electric scooters;

And working with the industry to encourage the speedy adoption of electric vehicles - with our bold ambition for Uber to be all-electric in London by 2025.

What the future could look like; Imagine a world where all the vehicles on the road are shared and electric. There would be less air pollution, less congestion, less space wasted on parking and more land freed up for housing and green spaces.

But to get there we need our infrastructure to catch up. That means: A massive expansion of rapid chargers for electric vehicles;

More dedicated spaces for bike-sharing; And bolder options like designated car-free streets.

And not just physical infrastructure - digital too. In TfL, this city is lucky to have a transport authority that has pioneered digital innovation - from contactless payments to app integrations to wifi deep underground - and it's vital that as a city we adopt that digital-first mindset as we gear up for a cashless, connected future offering tech-enabled transport for all.

Conclusion The people in this room - be it business, government, academics - are never going to agree on everything. But when it comes to the future of our cities, I take heart from the fact that we have so many common goals - be it around air quality, congestion, or accessibility. Ultimately, it's about making the places we live more liveable. These are big issues, but we believe that with the public and private sectors working in partnership

- and focused on long-term, sustainable success

- we can ensure our cities move more freely, enjoy cleaner air and are accessible to all. Thank you.

September 12, 2018 at 02:12PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Picture of patchy mobile voice and data coverage across UK road network

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There are still more than five and a half thousand miles of road in Britain where drivers would find it impossible to call for help in case of a crash or breakdown because there is no mobile phone voice coverage from any network provider.The stretches of road – measuring 5,540 in total – represent 2% of the length of Britain’s overall road network – which is 245,705 miles long.A further 44,368 miles of road (18%) have only partial voice coverage meaning there are many areas where some but not all phones will receive a signal depending on the service provider they rely on.Those local authority areas with the most miles of road with no voice coverage are:

Highland (910 miles of road with no voice coverage)Powys (411 miles)Argyll & Bute (388 miles)Cumbria (296 miles)Dumfries & Galloway (266 miles)North Yorkshire (219 miles)Gwynedd (213 miles)Na h-Eileanan Siar (207 miles)Scottish Borders (192 miles)Devon (190 miles)

In all, 90 local authority areas will have one or more stretches of road where there is no voice signal available.There are currently four mobile network providers: EE, O2, Vodafone and Three. These networks also provide services for third parties. For example, Virgin Mobile, Asda Mobile and BT Mobile use the EE network.If a mobile phone user is in a location where his/her mobile phone network provides no coverage but another network does then an emergency call can still be made from that phone.If there is no network coverage from any of the four providers then not even an emergency call can be made.When it comes to data – at least 3G and possibly 4G – access, there are 5,452 miles of road with no coverage at all and a further 66,619 miles with only partial coverage meaning those taxi and private hire drivers relying on apps for work and directions could be struggling in certain areas.As for those looking for the fastest access to the internet and data services, 13,948 miles of the road network have no 4G coverage at all, while 107,187 miles have only partial coverage.

According to Ofcom 94% of UK adults own/use a mobile phone and 76% of adults have a smartphone.Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said:“The good news is that mobile coverage has improved a great deal across our road network. On our motorways, which carry around a fifth of all traffic, every mile should now have voice and basic data coverage plus a 4G signal for all but a couple of miles.“As rapidly as the technology has advanced, so too have our expectations of enjoying uninterrupted connectivity.“Hopes are high that autonomous and connected vehicles will make our roads safer and help cut congestion, but that is dependent on those vehicles being able to communicate with each other and the infrastructure around them. This analysis shows that there is still work to be done to make constant and comprehensive coverage a reality.”

September 12, 2018 at 10:44AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

London Assembly supports a continued private hire exemption on Congestion Charge

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Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has drawn-up plans to remove the congestion charge exemption for private hire vehicles - but the London Assembly is calling on the mayor to rethink his plans.Private hire vehicles are currently exempted from paying the £11.50 daily charge.The TfL proposal to remove the congestion charge exemption for Private Hire Vehicles, including Uber and minicabs, would be implemented from April 2019. The change would not apply to wheelchair accessible PHVs.TfL said that the number of vehicles entering the zone each day has decreased by around 30% since the congestion charge was introduced in 2003. However, in the meantime, the number of PHVs entering the zone has increased from 4,000 a day to more than 18,000. This isn’t surprising, given that since the arrival of Uber, the number of registered London minicab drivers has risen by 66%. Over the past two years, congestion has increased by 10%.However, the London Assembly earlier this week voted to support the congestion charge exemption for private hire vehicles.Gareth Bacon AM, who proposed the motion said:“This policy would fail to achieve its primary objective – it would not significantly reduce congestion. The Mayor’s own figures show that the number of PHVs in the Congestion Charge Zone would fall by only 600 a day or 1 percent.“When businesses are hammered prices go up and the data shows that operators would have to increase their charges by up to 16 percent – hitting Londoners’ pockets.“Unfortunately, this policy is just an excuse for the Mayor to raise some of the money he needs to plug the nearly £1 billion black hole in the transport budget. Talk of congestion and pollution is just a smokescreen.”

September 12, 2018 at 07:17AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Is London closed for business?

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With the maniacal obsession afforded by almost every single council, as well as the GLA in seemingly attempting to bring London to a grinding halt, the question has to be asked, who does it serve?Between the abomination to just about every motorist, that is the cycle superhighway, to the latest wheeze from Hackney and Islington councils in shutting down 9 minor roads to non-electric vehicles, the amount of damage being done to London cannot be over-stated.Roads are becoming more and more polluted, leaving drivers stranded in non-moving traffic, slowly being poisoned by stinking fumes. The diesel and petrol driven vehicle is being blamed for this occurance, however the real villain of the piece are both the local authorities and the GLA themselves, they are suffocating London through constriction, so as to a Utopian agenda.Moving vehicles are less polluting vehicles, that is a scientific and mechanical fact which cannot be debunked.....static traffic is a killer, yet this just does not seem to compute with some councils because it is an inconvenient truth. We have the Congestion Charge in London, along with the Toxicity Charge, and ironically enough, swinging back to the lunacy which is the 9 streets in Shoreditch, you still cant use those roads, despite paying in two seperate ways for the privilege. You couldnt make it up.It has to be said that the move to vehicles with an alternative drive train is a positive and should be encouraged, however this takes time, and poorer families are being heavily penalised.At the moment it is all stick and no carrot, and worryingly this could end up with thw general public exercising a display of defiance, saying "this far....and no further"......and they would be fully justified in doing that.After speaking to dozens of members of the public, the one common denominator is that there is almost no support for any of the current schemes.....and no confidence in the local authorities either. All the puvlic are seeing is co.plete gridlock, artificially engineered.Obviously a general conversation is no basis for a survey, but it is also telling that these individuals are so disenfranchised by various local authorities that they cannot be bothered filling out survey after survey for any given council, due to the the fact that they have zero confidence in any given council actually listening, unless of course it suits a councils agenda.We have already had TfL proclaim that some of the cycle superhighways were a folly, we've had a tribunal dictate that Camden Council should alter the fiasco surrounding the cycle lanes around Tavistock Square, we've had Westminster Council "coalbox" TfLs aim of pedestrianising Oxford Street.....and in the meantime Londoners suffer.Suffocating London isn't, and never was the answer, right now we have notging more than a triumph of ego over common sense.The solution isn't rocket science....keep London moving by making sure the current volume of traffic can flow, whilst working to an edict of encouraging people to switch to alternative vehicles without continually finamcially penalising them.The choice is simple, open up the capitals road...or watch the capitals economy slowly collapse as businesses move away from London.

September 11, 2018 at 07:03PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Workers in the gig-economy will get sick pay and other rights under Labour says McDonnell

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In a keynote address to the TUC Congress today, Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell MP will say that gig economy workers will be given the same rights as full employees under a Labour Government, a move that would benefit millions of workers in the gig economy and other insecure work who are not currently entitled to sick pay, parental leave, or protections against unfair dismissal.The Shadow Chancellor will insist that only a Labour Government had the understanding and commitment needed to deal with the challenges of the modern labour market.He will criticise the Government’s Taylor Report for ignoring trade unions, saying “even if the Government adopt every positive recommendation in Taylor, it will not be enough” because “the most effective way to improve the lives of working people is through trade unions and collective action.”In his speech to the TUC, John McDonnell MP will say:“The answers to the gig economy won’t be found in the pages of the Government’s Taylor Report or in the months of consultation that have followed.“Because the report’s starting point is that flexibility must come at the price of insecurity. This is wrong.“Just because you don’t work regular hours doesn’t mean you can afford not to work when you are sick.“Just because you work several jobs doesn’t mean you can afford to lose one of them without warning.“Just because you value the freedom of independence or the convenience of flexibility doesn’t mean you have to forgo basic rights.“Our manifesto, For the Many not the Few, published a full nine months before Taylor, contains a simple set of policies that would put a complete stop to exploitation in the gig economy.“First, shift the burden of proof, so that the law treats you as a worker unless the employer can prove otherwise.“Second, extend full rights to all workers including so-called “limb b” workers entitling everyone in insecure work to sick pay, maternity rights, and the right against unfair dismissal from day one of their employment.“Third, properly resource HMRC and fine employers who break the rules so that people get the rights they are entitled to.“It’s not rocket science.“When employers use legal loopholes and weak enforcement to duck their responsibilities close those legal loopholes and strengthen enforcement.“When technology creates new employment relations extend regulation to keep pace.“And when the balance of power shifts so dramatically away from workers as it has done today it’s time for us to tip it back.“Taken with our commitments to repeal anti-trade union legislation and strengthen trade union rights, to give workers a seat at the Cabinet table by establishing a Ministry of Labour and to roll out sectoral collective bargaining across the economy what we are proposing to amounts to the biggest extension of individual and collective rights our country has ever seen, a plan that will irreversibly transform our workplaces and working lives.“And it has trade unions right at its heart.“Because even if the Government adopt every positive recommendation in Taylor, it will not be enough. Taylor ignored a crucial lesson of history – that the most effective way to improve the lives of working people is through trade unions and collective action.“We won’t forget, because it’s the principle our movement was founded on.”

September 11, 2018 at 11:25AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT