Book your 2019 spring staycation now: 3nts in Welsh cottage w/ hot tub from £98.50pp - sleeps 4

Get your mates together for a picturesque staycation near the Welsh coast in 2019. There are some great 'off season' bargains to be had, like this 3 night stay in a quirky cottage in Cardigan Bay. The cottage boasts, that sleeps 4, a hot tub on the roof deck and your fur baby is also… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Italian spa break from £249pp: 5nt hilltop escape w/ stunning views - incl. flights & breakfast

Italy is proving hugely popular with pirates this year, but one of the lesser visited areas is Puglia, in the southeast of the country. With stunning beaches, countryside and architecture, we predict it will be the next big thing. Take a relaxing spa break at the end of summer there from as little as £249… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Fly to pretty Prague from £32 return

Ahoy there Pirates, cheap flights to Prague can be hard to come by so get a load of these return flights to Prague for only £32 return - thats just £16 each way. Prague is a super cool city and should definitely be on the list of places to visit, it offers great architecture, great… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Centrally located 3* hotel in Glasgow from £24pppn - optional gin spa w/ treatments from £40pp

Pirates, if you have no holidays left at work or not enough funds for a holiday abroad then why not head to one of our cities in the UK and stay in a cool hotel. Glasgow has something for everyone, Point A Hotel is centrally located and we have come across an awesome gin spa..… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Wolverhampton private hire firms set to join forces creating a super fleet to combat Uber

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Two of the largest private hire firms in Wolverhampton are set to join forces to take on ride-hailing giants Uber. ABC Cars and 24/7 Cars will combined to create a super firm with a fleet of 700 vehicles. Uber have already taken a large amount of business from private hire firms in the West Midlands, with many having to go out of business, but the bosses of ABC and 24/7 believe by joining forces it will give them the best chance of tackling the influx of Uber drivers in town. According to a report in the Express and Star, the plans for a merger are in advanced talks and if it was to get the go-ahead it would make the new firm one of the top 20 largest private hire companies in the country. Bosses believe that joining forces and finances they have a much better chance of combating Uber than if they were to try separately. Although the merger would not be straightforward with the need of new purpose-built offices, both firms are optimistic that this is the best way forward. Uber currently have a temporary licence in Birmingham while regulators seek more details of their current business model, but with Transport for London's decision, following a court appeal, to grant Uber a 15 months probationary period licence on Tuesday, Uber could well see a similar route taken by Council officials in Birmingham.

June 27, 2018 at 12:06PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Bangkok flights from £354 return - incl. checked bags: Some Christmas dates available

Thailand is tempting us with these tantalising flights for autumn and winter -- including limited Christmas dates! Use our Flights Finder and you can be jetting off to Bangkok, with your checked luggage and inflight meals included from as little as £354 return. The cheapest available flights are from Newcastle, but you can also fly… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Last minute all inclusive Corfu holiday from £373pp - 7nts 3* hotel, flights, luggage & transfers

Pirates, these bargain last minute holidays just keep on coming and even better this holiday in Corfu is on an all inclusive board basis. This getaway in Greece departs in July so the weather should be super hot, a bit like the price of this holiday. Holiday details Travel duration: 7 nights Example date: 15th… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Gaze onto the Amalfi Coast: 7nts B&B from £396pp incl. flights & hotel w/ incredible views

Known for it's stunning coast line, the Amalfi Coast has fast become a 'must see' section of Italy. Grab your chance to visit this unique location with this late season week at the 4* Club Due Torri. With a cliff side location, it makes the most of the sea views from its sun deck and… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Could London's taxi and private hire drivers have a valid claim for compensation

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Sometimes the law can be seen as a total ass, and certainly, to just about everybody within the taxi industry, this is most definitely the case after the Uber appeal hearing.

Many expected Uber to overturn Transport for London's initial refusal to grant them a renewed operators licence, however, not many expected Tom Elvidge to openly admit that Uber had been helping their drivers to commit 2 million offences per week.

Lets cut to the chase, the licensed London taxi industry and those operating within the private hire industry in London, who have not profited from the Uber platform, should be entitled to compensation.

Legally, there may be grounds for a class action against Uber, given the fact that Uber have directly profited from their drivers operating illegally, facilitated by Uber themselves. Its possible that TfL could be culpable as well, given that they licensed Uber 6 years ago.

Wherever the legal path may lead to, certainly morally there are definitely grounds for every driver to receive a level of compensation.

Uber have procured a sum of between 20 and 25% on every single one of the 2 million journeys undertaken in London per week from their drivers. If we assume that Uber are now operating legally, the figure that they would have received from their drivers whilst operating outside of regulation over the last 6 years would be staggering.

Obviously Uber and their drivers haven't consistently performed 2 million journeys over the full 6 years of their operation in London, but there will be an audit trail showing exactly how much they have received in fees from their drivers over this time period, therefore could this be construed as illegal profit.

It is extremely difficult for any driver to quantify their losses over the last 6 years, any figure would be incremental according to Uber's expansion, other economic factors will also be involved, however it is abundantly clear that taxi and PHV drivers (who aren't on Uber) have been suffering financially.

If Uber are indeed a company reborn, then the logical solution would be to distribute every penny of every fee that they have received from their drivers over the last 6 years to every taxi and PHV driver in London as compensation for loss of earnings.

It would be assumed that all of the orgs and unions representing both the taxi industry and the PHV industry will be looking at the compensation issue as well as TfL’s role in issuing Uber with a licence in the first place.

June 27, 2018 at 09:39AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Gorgeous Gloucestershire getaway: Many dates under £40pppn - incl. school holidays

If a foreign holiday isn't on the cards this year pirates, you can still treat yourself to a little staycation in the beautiful Cotswolds. We've discovered a gorgeous Georgian country house offering stays for under £40 per person, per night -- including selected school holidays dates right through summer. Offer Details: 1 night minimum stay… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Late season mini break to Ibiza: 4nts in iconic Ushuaia hotel w/ flights from £283pp

The Ushuaia hotel is an iconic establishment right on the beach of Playa D'en Bossa, Ibiza. This incredible hotel usually comes with a 5* price tag, however, we have discovered this amazing 4 night mini break for just £283pp! By travelling out of season it means that you can easily afford a slice of the… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Uber appeal: Today’s reactions from across the trade

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Following on from yesterday’s disappointing news which saw Uber overturn Transport for London’s original decision to strip them of their operators licence we gather the thoughts of the industry.

Uber were handed a probationary 15-month licence as opposed to the full five year term usually applied. Restrictions and conditions are also included.

Steve Garelick, GMB Regional Organiser via Twitter

“Ok so the proposition is a short-term licence with conditions however how does it help any worker or those who have had lives shredded by constant misleading behaviour.

“How can a Judge grant time off for good behaviour when this is short term and guilt has been admitted?”Wes Streeting, Labour MP

“The decision by the court to grant Uber a 15 month licence will be received as a kick in the teeth to the thousands of licensed taxi drivers and minicab operators who play by the rules. “Uber have finally accepted that TFL was right to revoke their licence, having flouted their licensing conditions, put passenger safety at risk and paid a substantial sum to criminal hackers to release the personal data of their customers and drivers before trying to cover it up. It is hard to imagine a black cab driver or small minicab operator being given this kind of second chance, but - as ever - it looks like one rule for the big corporation and another rule for the small business men and women of the taxi and private hire industry.“After years of inaction under the previous Mayor of London, I’m glad that TFL finally acted to enforce the rules against Uber with the support of Sadiq Khan. They must be relentless in holding Uber to account. Uber is now on notice to clean up their act. We will judge them by what they do, rather than what they say.”

Sadiq Khan, London Mayor

“After years of operating poorly in London, Uber has now accepted that TfL’s action in refusing to renew their licence was totally justified. Today our stance has been vindicated by the court.“Uber has been put on probation – their 15 month licence has a clear set of conditions that TfL will thoroughly monitor and enforce.“As a result of us standing up for Londoners, Uber has been forced to overhaul the way it operates not just in London but across the world, including completely changing its global governance structures and implementing new systems for reporting alleged crimes.“As Mayor, I’m working to ensure that London continues to be at the forefront of innovation and a natural home for new and exciting companies. But no matter how powerful and how big you are, you must play by the rules.”

Glasgow Unite Cab Section via Twitter “The impartiality of the legal system in the UK took another blow today. Emma Arbuthnot gave Uber it’s London licence back this afternoon. She is married to Tory MP, James Arbuthnot. He was made a life peer by David Cameron in 2015. David Cameron warned Boris to back off Uber when PM.”LCDC via Twitter“It stinks..... there’ll be some Gin and Tonics slurped tonight in certain Gentleman’s clubs without a doubt... Chin Chin old boy”London Taxi PR via Twitter“I am absolutely gutted for every hard working law abiding London Taxi driver on today’s decision. Every day we do our job with excellence & more Importantly, legally ! “The British justice system has today given acceptance to all those that knowingly do wrong with no consequence”Steve McNamara, LTDA General Secretary

“The appeal hearing lasted only two days out of the expected 3 or 4, and from the moment it opened I gained the impression the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Arbuthnot, had already decided that Uber were too big to fail.“At times the hearing felt almost rushed, she asked few questions and paid scant attention as a catalogue of Ubers mistakes and disregard for TfL and licensing rules in general were read out. Ubers general manager, Elvidge, was decimated by TfL’s QC during questioning on Ubers operational methods. He openly admitted a plethora of lies and rule breaking including the fact that the app had been operating in contravention of the 98 Act but by Monday afternoon it had become clear the Magistrate was merely going through the motions. In fact, she could have saved everyone a lot of time, effort and money had she admitted as much and given them the licence there and then!”

June 27, 2018 at 08:36AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

5* quirky Malta mini-break: 4-7nts from £233pp incl. flights & hotel w/ rooftop infinity pool

Head out to Malta this spring for a luxurious 5* mini-break at the Palace Hotel from £233pp. Marvel at the panoramic views over Sliema and it's beach from the rooftop, where there is also an infinity pool and restaurant. Or simply take a stroll into town to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of this… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Awesome August getaway in Kos from £271pp - 7nts 3* hotel, breakfast, flights, luggage & transfers

Pirates, holidays in August can sometimes break the bank so check out this getaway in Kos which is coming in at a super cheap price for this time of year. The holiday in gorgeous Greece is based on 2 sharing and breakfast is included each morning of your stay. Holiday details Travel duration: 7 nights… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Magistrate “had already decided that Uber were too big to fail” says LTDA

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Uber have been given a 15 MONTH licence with various conditions attached. The appeal hearing lasted only two days out of the expected 3 or 4, and from the moment it opened I gained the impression the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Arbuthnot, had already decided that Uber were too big to fail. At times the hearing felt almost rushed, she asked few questions and paid scant attention as a catalogue of Ubers mistakes and disregard for TfL and licensing rules in general were read out. Ubers general manager, Elvidge, was decimated by TfL’s QC during questioning on Ubers operational methods. He openly admitted a plethora of lies and rule breaking including the fact that the app had been operating in contravention of the 98 Act but by Monday afternoon it had become clear the Magistrate was merely going through the motions. In fact, she could have saved everyone a lot of time, effort and money had she admitted as much and given them the licence there and then!

When giving her decision she made great play of talking to Uber and its army of lawyers about the perils of not following the conditions of the licence to the letter, but at this point they had all stopped listening and were busy texting, obviously having decided it was back to business as usual! Our biggest concern was always that the worldwide implications, massive press interest and sheer scale of this appeal would prove to be too much pressure for a Magistrate, and unfortunately we were right, she avoided the limelight, being involved in countless appeals and upsetting the status quo by taking the easiest option, the path of least resistance and simply bowed to the pressure, it is a sad day for British Justice. We will be holding talks with our lawyers as to what, if anything, we can do. I will update members shortly.

June 26, 2018 at 06:16PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Paris in Summer: 2nt August minibreak from £143pp - incl. flights/train & Eiffel Tower hotel

Pirates, we are seeing prices for Paris falling in August, which is perfect for anyone looking to get a little summer getaway in before Autumn kicks in. Discover a 2-night stay in central Paris -- at a hotel with views of the Eiffel Tower and return train or flights -- from as little as £136… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Judge Emma Arbuthnot Deals London Taxi Trade A Slam Dunk...In-spite Of All The Evidence

   Emma Arbuthnot.            Husband Baron James Arbuthnot 

Day two of Uber's licence appeal, the court heard from Uber's QC that in their opinion they haven't been operating illegally (even though this has been proved in two previous court cases and was confirmed by Tom Elvidge yesterday. They also denighed that they have been dispatching 2 million jobs illegally on a weekly basis for the last six years. (Also confirmed by Elvidge).

Senior District Judge (Chief Magistrate) Emma Arbuthnot, who's husband ex Tory MP and front bench minister, now Baron James Arbuthnot-thanks to close chum(ocracy)  David Cameron- had to decide if the decision by TfL not to relicense was right or wrong. She has to decide today if Uber are fit and proper.

As the gallery filed back in the Judge started talking about booking process.

Elvidge accepts it was false.

She then said "I have to find if this was deliberate, it would be unfair if I found on dishonesty without hearing from those involved but Uber painted a force picture".

The decision:

Uber granted 15 month short term licence pursuant to complying with a list of conditions. 

How predictable...

According to the LTDA Twitter feed, the Magistrate was overawed by the scale and worldwide interest in this case, standing up to a $70 billion dollar company was just too much for her!

Unbelivably she has gone against all the evidence and granted Uber a 15 month breather.

Not unexpected the LTDA went from being "an interested party" to "its not our case it's TFL's"....

This verdict has stunned the London Taxi and private hire trades.

Over 100 London cabbies and have been handing their badges back to TfL over the lady 18 months. 

Hundreds of Private Hire operates have been put out of business, not being able to compete with Uber's subsidised predator pricing.

British justice at its best???

Or as Mr Bumble said when being removed from his parochial office "If that's the law sir....then the law is a ass. If that's the law sir then the law is a bachelor. And all I hope sir is the law learns by experience......by experience sir. 

Is there a case for a class action for compensation to drivers who've had their legitimate work stolen illegally over a six year period???

Uber employee lied on oath...

TfL directors lied to the London Assembly on multiple occasions...

Even after complaints, TfL allowed Uber to carry on operating from an unlicensed operation centre until they applied for a licence variation... 

TfL directors and managers hid illegalities and swept damning statistics under the carpet on a regular basis....

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Super funky Madrid break in August: 3nts from £176pp incl. flights & 5* hotel w/ rooftop bar

Who says that summer mini breaks have to cost the earth? Not us that's for sure! That's why we're excited to bring you this super stylish 3 night getaway to Madrid in August. Set your sights on the Spanish capital where you'll be staying at the 5* Puerta America Madrid. This accommodation has the funkiest… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Uber win London operators licence appeal

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Uber have overturned Transport for London’s decision to strip them of its operators licence by winning today’s court hearing. After only two days at Westminster Magistrates Court Judge Emma Arbuthnot arrived at the controversial decision to relicence the minicab firm much to dismay of 10,000’s of people associated to both taxi and private industries in the capital.Uber lost its licence in September 2017, but continued to operate in the city whilst the appeal process has been exhausted.

The much maligned ride-hailing company based it’s appeal around changes to corporate culture and practice. In the lead up to this weeks hearing Uber were offering to accept an 18-month licence, instead of the usual five year licences granted to operators, to prove to the authorities that it had significantly changed. However, Judge Arbuthnot said she thought 18 months "would be rather too long."

June 26, 2018 at 05:13PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Krakow at Kristmas: 3nt Xmas market break from £130pp incl. flights & hotel - go solo for £180

Cool yourself down during this heatwave by planning your Christmas getaway now. Get in there before everyone else and snap up some great early bird deals. Like this great 3 night trip to Krakow, during the Christmas market season. Stay in the 4* Zulian Aparthotel, a stylish accommodation within walking distance of the city's Old… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT