IWGB PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS

• The Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB), the union which represents private hire drivers on apps like Uber and Bolt, is exploring an ‘unprecedented’ legal challenge against TfL for leaving thousands of drivers unable to work for up to months on end
• Severe delays in issuing minicab licenses has led to drivers falling into debt, losing their cars and facing eviction
• Demands for accountability intensified after it emerged that one driver, Rob Dale, died from a heart attack whilst under extreme stress after TfL left him unable to work and support his family

Friday 3 July 2025: Transport for London (TfL) could face an ‘unprecedented’ legal action over ‘serious and systemic failures’ that have left thousands of minicab drivers across the capital unable to work for months, leading to debt, car repossession and homelessness.

The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), which represents private hire drivers for platforms such as Uber and Bolt, is working with law firm Deighton Pierce Glynn to investigate whether TfL has breached its legal duties by failing to process minicab license renewals on time.

Under current rules, London’s more than 100,000 private hire drivers must renew their licenses with TfL every three years, at a cost of £310. But since the summer of 2024, worsening delays have left thousands of drivers without valid licenses, forcing them out of work with no income, no clear timeline for resolution, and minimal communication from TfL.

The crisis has already taken a devastating human toll. Pressure on TfL escalated after the tragic death of minicab driver Rob Dale, who suffered a fatal heart attack while under extreme stress waiting for his license to be renewed.

The IWGB has been organizing weekly protests over the delays, including blocking entry to TfL’s offices in Stratford, disrupting a London Assembly meeting, and holding a public vigil in memory of Rob Dale. These actions have already secured some concessions, including temporary license extensions and additional staff —but the union says they will keep campaigning until all drivers are licensed and the system is reformed.

Alex Marshall, President of the IWGB Union, says: “What’s happening at TfL is a repeat of the Post Office scandal – managers failing to intervene as a broken computer system tears hundreds of lives apart. Until TfL takes accountability for the deep pain it has inflicted, makes reparations, and reforms their system, we will continue to fight.

This is about discrimination – TfL ensures black cab drivers can keep working when faced with license delays, whilst the mostly racialised, migrant minicab drivers in the same position are losing their incomes and struggling to feed their families.

It is only fair for drivers who have lost everything they had – their homes, their cars, their families – to now get compensation. We are also calling for Helen Chapman, the Director of Licensing whose decisions led drivers’ suffering to escalate so disastrously, to lose her position, and for systemic reform to prevent future tragedies.”

Ahmed Aydeed of Deighton Pierce Glynn Solicitors, said: “TfL is operating an unlawful system by failing to ensure continuity of licensing for private hire drivers. Drivers belonging to the IWGB have bravely teamed up in this unprecedented legal challenge to hold TfL to account. Any public authority and government that strips people of their livelihood is not fit for purpose.”

Raifu Akanmu, a driver of 17 years, said “How does TfL expect me to survive with no income? I have no money left to pay my bills and I can’t sleep at night thinking about how I’m going to feed my family. I know so many other drivers in pain because of this. We feel completely ignored by TfL – like our suffering does not matter to them.”