Cabbie left crawling for his life after being stabbed in the stomach

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Greater Manchester Police have arrested a 19-year-old man after a cab driver was stabbed in the abdomen and left to crawl to a nearby property to seek help. The cab driver, who was sitting in his vehicle, was approached by his attacker just after midnight on Saturday, 17, who demanded he hand over his money. According to a report in the Manchester Evening News, the man immediately lunged into the taxi and stabbed the driver in the stomach. He then fled the scene leaving the driver to crawl from his vehicle to a nearby property where emergency services were called. He was taken to hospital where he remains in a stable condition. Greater Manchester Police announced that a few hours later they were able to track down a man they believe may be the attacker. He was taken into custody where he remains for questioning. DCI Chris Downey said: “This was a seemingly random attack on a man as he was simply trying to do his job. “Thankfully he managed to crawl to safety and is now receiving treatment in hospital, but this could have been much worse. “We currently have a man in custody, arrested on suspicion of robbery, and he will be questioned by detectives.” Taxi drivers, who work all sorts of hours throughout the day and night, can be considered an easy target by robbers. Are you a taxi driver? Do you feel safe at work? What measures do you think could be introduced to help drivers avoid such attacks?

November 18, 2018 at 05:11PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Petrol remains overpriced as major retailers refuse to cut

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Despite falling wholesale prices, UK drivers are continuing to suffer from overpriced fuel, the RAC’s fuel experts have warned.

Supermarkets made a token gesture on 6 November, promising price cuts of up to 2p per litre of unleaded. But RAC data shows that in reality less than a penny has come off the average price of a litre of supermarket petrol since then – down from 127p per litre to just 125.36p, despite a tumbling wholesale price. The effect on average UK petrol prices has therefore been negligible, down from around 130p per litre to 128.8p per litre as fuel companies and smaller retailers tend to follow the supermarkets’ lead. In fact, wholesale petrol prices have fallen by nearly 9p per litre since the start of October, largely as a result of a sharp drop in the cost of oil – down a dramatic $20 a barrel in this time and currently standing at $65. Yet since the start of October, only 1.56p per litre has come off the average price of a litre of unleaded at UK supermarkets suggesting retailers still have a long way to go to correct the prices they are charging at forecourts. RAC fuel spokesperson Simon Williams said: “Put simply, the big retailers have not gone nearly far enough in cutting prices at the pumps, despite the fact the cost of buying the fuel on the wholesale market has dropped like a stone. “The net result is Christmas coming early for retailers, as they are making considerably higher profits from every litre of fuel they sell now than they normally do. But drivers, many of whom we know rely on their vehicles, continue to suffer from over-inflated prices at the pumps. “Drivers have a right to feel taken advantage of right now. Wholesale petrol prices are tumbling, yet retailers are steadfastly refusing to drop prices and charge a fair price on forecourts across the UK. And without significant price movement from the supermarkets, there is little to encourage smaller retailers to shift their own prices to the benefit of consumers. “While the pound has weakened slightly against the dollar, which means it costs a little more for retailers to purchase fuel in the first place, this hasn’t been enough to offset the collapse in the oil price and means there is tremendous pressure for some significant price cuts at forecourts. The question drivers should be asking is why retailers have hardly budged on prices, and when the cuts will finally come. “We will be among the first to welcome price cuts from the supermarkets, but our data shows that something is clearly awry with petrol pricing at the moment and drivers should be seeing 5p per litre reductions across the country. Diesel prices should also now be starting to fall, again triggered by the drop in the cost of oil.” The falling oil price, which has caused the sharp drop in wholesale petrol and diesel prices, has been caused by increased concerns about an oversupply of the product onto world markets – something which last occurred in 2014 and lead to historically low oil prices.

November 18, 2018 at 02:46PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Daniel Zeichner MP brings debate to Parliament demanding quick reform following DfT report

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Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner brought debate to Parliament demanding quick reform following the publication created by the Department for Transport detailing reform across a taxi and private hire industry.

The task force group report calls for several changes on a number of topics within the industry. These include a national database of licence refusals, calls for national minimum standards for licensing across the country which can be built on locally, and CCTV in every taxi and private hire vehicle. Plus also definitive definitions on plying for hire and cross-border. Mr Zeichner added: “This powerful report calls for legislation to update regulation and licensing of taxi and private hire vehicles, and it calls for it quickly. Professor Mohammed Abdel-Haq, the group chair, underlines this in his introduction, stating that “undue delay would risk public safety“. This again proves the need for more robust standards in licensing, as my Private Member’s Bill would have provided. “This report calls for all the measures that my Bill contained, plus more – I hope that this is the catalyst for action that is so badly needed. I’m glad we got a chance to debate these matters this afternoon in Parliament, and am hopeful that the Minister’s words regarding action “coming shortly“ turn out to be more than just platitudes. We need legislative action – not further consultation or guidance.” Mr Zeichner’s continued “We have had too much delay and prevarication. This is a hugely important industry, especially in areas where there is not 24 hour public transport. It’s a fantastic industry with a proud history, and a very important future. The problem is, there are a few people, sometimes, who are abusing the licensing system which leads to the awful incidents we’ve seen in some parts of the country. We owe it to the industry, and to passengers, to make sure that this is solved. We need to move swiftly, with this report, to act and make decisions.“ Members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taxis had been pushing to get a debate in Parliament on the working group’s report for some time. Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the LTDA, said “Taxi Minister Nusrat Ghani MP is required to attend and respond to the debate. This is a crucial opportunity for MPs to encourage the Government to respond to the working group’s report, adopt its recommendations and bring forward new legislation, which is long-overdue.”

November 18, 2018 at 01:17PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

How Many People Dying on our Roads is Acceptable? The Vision is Zero says TfL

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London politicians, council leaders and businesses joined victims of road trauma, emergency service representatives and international Vision Zero experts to understand how they can help eliminate deaths and serious injuries from London's transport network.

The Mayor, TfL and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) are working towards their Vision Zero ambition, to eliminate all death and serious injuries from the transport network by 2041. 28 year-old Victoria Le Brec led the event with an emotional account of her experience as a cyclist who was run over by a lorry in 2014. She would have died on the road had it not been for the innovative healthcare she received. Victoria said: "I am so pleased that Vision Zero has been adopted in London because even one person seriously injured per year represents a massive amount of suffering. Any policy which would view what my family and I have been through as success would be inherently wrong." Changes are already being implemented, including transforming London's most intimidating junctions, introducing the world's first Direct Vision Standard, which rates HGVs based on how much the driver can see directly through their cab window, and working closely with the police on a new approach to target dangerous drivers and illegal activity on the roads. From next year, all new London buses must include a whole host of new safety measures, including technology that automatically limits the speed at which buses are able to travel, an audible alert for pedestrians and other road users, and more blindspot mirrors and reversing cameras. Deputy Mayor for Transport, Heidi Alexander, said TfL plans start from the basis that no death or serious injury on London's roads should be treated as acceptable or inevitable. She said: "How has society come to accept that road deaths and injuries are just the price we have to pay moving around in a big city?" she asked. "Sadiq has made it clear he will do everything in his power to make our streets safer. As the first Mayor of London to commit to a Vision Zero ambition, he recognises that we need a radical new approach if we are going to eliminate deaths and serious injuries." London is following in the footsteps of Sweden and New York in the implementation of a Vision Zero policy. Sweden, where Vision Zero launched in 1997, has halved the number of people killed in road traffic collisions since it began. At the event, their respective leaders presented key learnings on the steps that need to be put in place for noticeable change to be seen.

November 18, 2018 at 10:13AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Transport for London THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

GeniePoint charging network booms as 21 rapid points added in October

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ChargePoint Services and Motor Fuel Group have broken all records by being the first to install over 20 Electric Vehicle Rapid Chargers in new locations in a single month.

October saw 21 new Rapid Chargers being added to the GeniePoint Network taking them even closer to their target of 150 50kW+ charger locations by early 2019. Electric vehicle drivers are seeing GeniePoint Chargers appearing at their local fuel forecourt, and are signing up to the mobile web app, for convenient and reliable local charging. October saw another record with over 850 new drivers signing up to use the GeniePoint Network, and this number is increasing by around 10% every month. Alex Bamberg, managing director, ChargePoint Services, said. “We have accelerated our installation rate to meet driver demand, electric vehicles sales rose by over 30% in October 2018, and we expect this to continue to rise. Our GeniePoint Network is established and extremely reliable and we will continue to increase the roll out of Rapid Chargers across the country to provide easy charging for all EV drivers”. Andy Edwards, MFG’s group infrastructure director, said: “With both of our teams working closely together we have achieved this impressive number of installations. We now expect to hit our target 150 installations and look forward to growing this figure across our entire network.” For pollution hotspots such as London, every Rapid Charger installed helps drive the change to green transport usage resulting in cleaner air quality for all who live and work in our Capital.

November 18, 2018 at 09:42AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Uber courted by German Transport Minister

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German Transport Minister, Andreas Scheuer has courted minicab giants, Uber as well as other companies such as Lyft and Taxify, by offering to open the door for them to operate car-pooling services by 2021.

Under current German legislation it is illegal for private drivers to accept contracts from individuals directly. The only drivers who are allowed to perform this function are licensed taxi drivers.

Scheuer, who is an exponent of an open and free market was reported in Reuters as stating that both rural areas and the elderly may benefit from allowing car-pooling services to operate.

The Transport Minister acknowledged that there would be an impact to Germany's taxi industry and that factor had to be taken into consideration, but he also stated that Germany couldn't exclude other service providers.

Uber operates in both Berlin and Munich but is expected to be operational in other cities despite the restictions it has faced in Germany.

November 17, 2018 at 04:55PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve Kenton THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Immigrant Uber driver who sexually assaulted 19 year old Aussie woman deported back to his home country

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An immigrant Uber driver who sexually assaulted a 19-year-old woman in Australia will be sent back to his home country of Nepal. The driver of the controversial ride-sharing app, who was married for nine years before his wife broke from him because of the attack, pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual assault at an Australian magistrates court. The court heard that the 36-year-old attacker picked up his victim from a surfers paradise club on Christmas Eve 2017 and asked her if she wanted to have sex with him. According to a report in the Daily Mail, when the young woman said no, he proceeded to sexual assault her. In an impact statement, the victim said the incident has had a “profound effect” on her and that it still brings her to tears and makes her want to throw up every time she thinks about it. Nick McGhee, defence barrister, said that the assault should be considered “low level” because there was no penetration, no ejaculation and the woman was conscious. Prosecutor, Amalia Baker, said that the attacker should serve at least 12 months in jail for the crime and added: “Women should be able to trust their Uber drivers to get them home safely.” The offender was sentenced to 12 months prison, wholly suspended for two years by magistrate Joan White, who said the victim was vulnerable in his car and the assault was a betrayal of trust. The sentence will most likely have no legal implications due to his deportation.

November 17, 2018 at 02:24PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

London private hire driver convicted of sexual assault on three female passengers

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A private hire driver who sexually assaulted three female passengers has been sentenced today, Friday 16 November at Wood Green Crown Court.Hire Mire, 51 years old from Harrow, received two years' imprisonment to run concurrently. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years and received a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which prevents him being in the same vehicle as other females he doesn’t know.

The driver can also not apply or act to be a licensed Private Hire driver or Taxi driver with any authority within England and Wales.Mire was found guilty on Friday 9 November 2018, at Wood Green Crown Court of three offences of sexual assault by touching.The first offence took place on 22 September 2017 in the Buckinghamshire area. Over the following two days he committed a further two offences in Surrey and Hackney.Following a separate trial he was convicted on 9 April 2018 at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court of two offences of section 4a Public Order. These two offences involved speaking to lone female passengers in a sexual manner, making them feel intimidated and vulnerable.The first of these incidents took place on 22 May 2017 in Camden; the second on 22 September 2017 in the Buckinghamshire area.Police were informed by Transport for London in October 2017 that Mire had been responsible for the assault on 24 September in Hackney. The female had made a complaint to the private hire company who in turn informed TfL. An investigation was launched by officers from the Met's Taxi and Private Hire Policing Team. In each of the incidents Mire targeted lone females. He would either sexually touch them or make sexual remarks of a graphic nature. In one case, after trying to grab the victim's hand and speaking to her in a suggestive manner he made 21 attempts to contact her via her mobile phone after she gave into his demands that she hand over her phone number.Mire was arrested on 26 October 2017 for the sexual assaults and public order offences. On 23 February 2018 he was charged with three sexual assaults and was summonsed to court for the public order offences.Sergeant Jonny Harris, Taxi and Private Hire Policing Team, said: "Mire has received a very strong sentence for his despicable offending. This investigation involved five young women having to attend court to give evidence. All showed extreme courage in doing so and I have nothing but praise for them for coming forward. I hope this sentence gives members of the public the confidence to report these type of offences and a clear message that this offences will not be tolerated."Siwan Hayward, TfL's Director of Compliance and Policing, said: "I commend the passengers for coming forward and reporting the series of predatory incidents, and working with the Police to secure this conviction. We take all allegations against licensed Taxi and Private Hire drivers extremely seriously and as soon as we were made us aware of this offence we suspended this driver's licence immediately. We want the highest safety standards for all customers and work closely with the police to prevent crime, fully investigate all allegations, and bring offenders to justice."

November 17, 2018 at 10:36AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Cabs donated to Polish Holocaust heroes

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In an initiative to help ferry Polish war heroes who saved Jews from being murdered during the Holocaust, three taxi garage owners have donated a number of Black taxis.

Farley Freedman, Asher Moses and Howard Kott have provided two vehicles to an organisation called From The Depths, a Polish Holocaust memorial organisation.

The vehicles will be used to transport the elderly heroes around cities in Poland, who struggle with their mobility.

20% of the Polish population were killed during World War II with 50% of that number made up of Polish Jews. In total 3,000,000 Jews were murdered, today there are approximately 3,500 Jews left in Poland.

From The Depths founder Jonny Daniels had a chance meeting with Farley Freedman, and from there the idea was spawned.

Despite Mr Daniels offering to purchase the taxis, which were coming to the end of their working life in London, Freedman, Moses and Kott opted to donate the taxis.

November 17, 2018 at 09:32AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve Kenton THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Iconic traffic jam busting “Monster Taxi” for sale!

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The ultimate traffic busting “Monster Taxi” has come onto the market and is available for just £8,400.

The iconic Monster Taxi Truck Is fully road legal and registered with the DVLA. Based around a Toyota Hilux And the striking vehicle also includes an FX4 black Taxi as the driver’s cabin.

The vehicle is available to buy on online retailer eBay for just £8,400. The current owners estimate £41,000 has been ploughed into the vehicle to date.

If you’re tired of the traffic maybe this is the vehicle for you. Why wait behind cars when you can go over them!

November 16, 2018 at 08:56PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Council planning on introducing practical and geographical exams for all new Taxi and Private Hire applicants

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Practical driving tests could be introduced for all new taxi and private hire applicants in Taunton as members of the borough’s licensing committee begin to discuss potential changes to improve the industry. The recommendations have been put forward to follow practice of the former Driving Standards Agency test for all new applicants that apply for hackney carriage and private hire licenses. The request will also see any current drivers that accumulate six or more penalty points on their driving licence within the three year period of their taxi or PHV period. Current requirements that must be met before a licence is granted are that all applicants submit a medical report, undergo a driver history check as well as a DBS check. If all those requirements are successfully met, applicants will then undertake a knowledge and suitability test, which is the last stage of the application process. Currently there is nothing in place that covers a practical driving test. Taunton Deane Borough drivers are not required to complete a geographical knowledge test of the area either, but if the new proposals are agreed then this would be included in the practical test. The licensing officer has said that adding the new test would promote greater safety for passengers, theSomerset County Gazette.

November 16, 2018 at 04:26PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Female Private Hire driver avoids jail after police officer is zapped by stun gun disguised as a torch

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A female private hire driver has avoided jail time after a policeman was zapped by a stun gun which was disguised as a torch when he discovered it wedged between seats in the vehicle. Mum-of-five Jayne Bird lied about the weapon claiming she thought it was just a torch. Bird, who works for Delta Taxis in Liverpool avoided jail because of the impact it would have on her autistic son. The minimum jail term for such an offence is five years. The court heard how the officer pulled over Bird’s car on the morning of June 7. The officer was due to perform a routine taxi or private hire inspection when he spotted what he thought was a torch wedged between the drivers seat and the door. Whilst attempting to pull the item out, he received a shock up his arm, causing severe pain. Bird was arrested and during questioning said that the item was brought through customs from China and didn’t think it would get through. According to the Liverpool Echo, Bird later suggested she meant to say she was surprised an item like that could be imported, after buying it online for £8. She said that it was not intended to be used as a weapon and that she only wanted a strong torch to use for her job at night. Bird accepted that when she first tested the item, it made a noise and vibrated. She admitted possession of a disguised firearm, on the basis she did not know it was a stun gun. Her claim was rejected by prosecutors and Judge Robert Trevor-Jones ruled against her, saying he found her claims “incredible” and that he believed she knew it was a weapon. Judge Jones said the officer suffered “excruciating pain”, underlining the danger of the weapon. Bird is the primary care worker for her 12-year-old son who has autism, and it was on those grounds that the decision was made to hand her only an 18 month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months. She was also ordered to attend a 10-day rehabilitation course and complete 160 hours of unpaid work.

November 16, 2018 at 12:08PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

London taxi trade set to act following planned taxi restrictions on busy Tooley Street

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The taxi trade could be set to demonstrate as London regulators announce plans to restrict taxis access along the busy south east London area around Tooley Street. TfL are proposing to change the layout of Tooley Street. According to the regulators the changes will reduce road danger, improve air quality, and provide better facilities to enable people to walk, cycle and use public transport, supporting the objectives of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy (MTS). The proposals include:

Introducing a 20mph speed limit along entire length of Duke Street Hill/Tooley Street (between Borough High Street and Tower Bridge Road)Introducing a 2 metre wide mandatory cycle lane westbound, on Duke Street Hill/Tooley Street, running between Borough High Street and Bermondsey Street junctions, separated from traffic with wands on the Duke Street Hill sectionIntroducing a protected right turn ‘pocket’ for cyclists waiting to turn right into Bermondsey Street from Tooley StreetMaking Duke Street Hill no entry, apart from cyclists and buses, from the junction with A3 Borough High Street. This will mean that eastbound traffic along Duke Street Hill and Tooley Street as far as the junction with Bermondsey Street is restricted to buses and cycles only.

There will also be restricted access from side roads onto Tooley Street to westbound travel only. Any motorized vehicle turning onto Tooley Street from the following roads will not be able to turn onto and travel eastbound towards Bermondsey Street:

Tooley Street onto Duke Hill StreetBridge Yard onto Tooley StreetCottons Lane onto Tooley StreetHay’s Lane onto Tooley StreetBattlebridge Lane onto Tooley Street

Westbound traffic will continue to be able to travel along this section of highway as it does at present (i.e. accessing via Bermondsey Street or from roads further east) which lead onto Tooley Street. A spokesperson from the LTDA said via Twitter: “The consultation on the proposed scheme in Tooley Street is in direct contravention of the MTS. We have written to Heidi Alexander and Transport Commissioner pointing this out and asking for public comment.“ Taxi card payment providers Cabvision also said via Twitter: “Drivers enter in to a covenant with TFL when you agree to complete the Knowledge and receive a license that states 'licensed to ply for hire'. License doesn't have exemptions, TfL have broken that covenant by restricting taxis on streets they own.” The LCDC said: “Transport for London now want to ban us from Tooley St. WE ARE PUBLIC TRANSPORT.... What next? “Members calling for mass ply for hire on London Bridge - Tooley St - Tower Bridge” The UCG have also shown their dismay by saying: “The United Cabbies Group see the possible banning of Taxis from Tooley Street as a restriction of trade. We are fully wheelchair accessible and being forced to buy a £63k electric taxi. With this in mind we are not ruling out any demos.”

November 16, 2018 at 09:02AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Ride-hailing giants Uber have reported quarterly losses of £820 million

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Ride-sharing “giants” Uber have reported a quarterly loss of £820m after pumping money into scooters, bikes and food deliveries. Although between the period of July to September their revenue rose 5.4% and gross bookings increased by 6%, the figures show an overall slowdown in growth compared to the same period a year ago, according to sky news. Throughout 2017 Uber’s growth was in double digit percentages, but for the third quarter in a row this year the figure has failed to grow more than a single digit percentage. Uber, who have said they will push for an IPO next year, will have the challenge of showing it can still grow into a profitable company. The controversial app is now a decade old but has yet to prove to be a substantial profitable business for the long term and is now seeking to expand in the haulage, food delivery and electric bikes market. It also faces a number of issues around the world with regulators finally confronting the mammoth from Silicon Valley about how its ride-sharing service actually works and if it can conform to current legislation.

November 15, 2018 at 02:18PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Autonomous cars and cabs could have a seedy side

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A study has outlined a potentially seedy by-product of autonomous cars and cabs.....prostitution.

CNET have reported, that whilst vehicle manufacturers try to convince drivers that they will have more free time, have less stress whilst travelling in these vehicles, as well as encoutering fewer road traffic accidents and incidents, autonomous vehicles could also end up replacing the hotel room or brothel and become the go-to place for sexual encounters.

Researchers who have produced the study believe that the vehicles could be turned into "micro-brothels," complete with beds for seats as well as electrochromic or smart glass, which could darken at the flick of a switch.

The study highlighted the fact that companies who produce autonomous vehicles will also have to find ways of preventing vehicle users from disabling in-car monitoring systems.

Disabling these systems will invariably allow vehicle users to commit numerous acts inside the vehicle.

November 15, 2018 at 04:01AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve Kenton THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Leading employment consultant highlights “significant back pay liabilty” facing Addison Lee following court loss

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A day after GMB secured another workers’ rights victory, this time against Addison Lee, a leading employment consultant highlights the “significant back pay liability to compensate their drivers for losses suffered“. Yesterday the courts agreed that Addison Lee drivers are legally entitled to workers’ rights such as the national minimum wage and holiday pay rights after a tribunal threw out Addison Lee’s appeal. The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) rejected Addison Lee’s arguments that their drivers are self-employed contractors running their own businesses. Paul Holcroft, Associate Director at national human resources and health & safety consultancy, Croner tells TaxiPoint what this means for employers and the “gig economy” in general. “The Employment Appeal Tribunal’s decision is further confirmation that employment status cases are won, and lost, based on the reality of how the working relationship operates in practice. Although Addison Lee argued that their drivers were self-employed contractors who were operating their own business, the Employment Appeal Tribunal EAT found that the terms and conditions drivers were required to sign were “unrealistic” and did not reflect the true nature of the working relationship. Instead, the EAT upheld the earlier employment tribunal’s decision that the drivers were actually ‘workers’. This means the drivers are entitled to receive worker rights including National Minimum and Living Wage, paid holiday, minimum rest breaks and more. “As the latest case to be lost by a ‘gig economy’ organisation, the decision is an important reminder that employers need to ensure they are correctly determining the employment status of their workforce. Rather than solely relying on their contractual documentation, employers need to take note of the employment status tests, including whether they have control over the individuals and if they have to provide personal status. Other factors will also be considered by the tribunal such as whether they can work for others, how they are integrated into the company, who carries the financial risk of a job being doing poorly, and whether pay can be negotiated by the individual. “With nearly 4,000 UK drivers, Addison Lee are facing a significant back pay liability to compensate their drivers for losses suffered by being incorrectly classed as self-employed. Another high-profile employment status case, whilst we await the Court of Appeal’s decision in the Uber hearing, will again raise the question in individuals’ minds of whether they are being treated lawfully by their employer or contracting organisation. Without having to pay a fee to go to tribunal, employers may find they are receiving employment status claims from self-employed contractors, or even workers, to test whether they should be entitled to greater employment rights.”

November 15, 2018 at 12:42PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Suspect hands himself into police after pedestrian pushed in front of minicab

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A man who pushed a pedestrian in front of a minicab has handed himself into police.

The incident, which took place in New Bridge Street, Blackfriars, last July saw the 57 year old man suffer cuts and grazes after being pushed into the path of the oncoming vehicle.

According to the victim, the incident was sparked after the two men had brushed shoulders whilst walking, and then subsequently had a brief verbal confrontation.

Police said that the suspect had contacted them and voluntarily handed himself in for questioning.

Members of the public followed and confronted the man after the incident, which occured at 8am on July 23rd, whilst one managed to take a photo of the attacker, which was subsequently published by police.

November 15, 2018 at 02:43AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve Kenton THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT