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National Living Wage for Uber Drivers

on Friday, 26 March 2021.

Uber has announced that, from 17 March 2021, all of its drivers will receive at least the National Living Wage ('NLW').

This follows on from the Supreme Court's recent decision confirming that Uber drivers were classed as workers.

The NLW, which is currently £8.72 per hour, will be paid to Uber drivers (after expenses are deducted). However, Uber drivers will only be paid the NLW once they have accepted a trip request. It is not clear whether this implements the Supreme Court's decision in full, given that the claimants in that case were held to be workers from the time that they logged into the app within the territory in which they worked.

The point has been taken up by the union whose members were involved in the Supreme Court case. Uber have said that their current terms and conditions are not the same as those considered by the Supreme Court (which date back to the time the claimants lodged their original claims) and this may be why the company feels it is able to pay the minimum wage from the point a driver accepts a trip request, rather than the earlier point at which they log into the app. 

Whatever the position is, when an Uber driver is a worker and when they are not may be an argument that keeps rumbling on.

Four Changes for Uber Drivers

Uber has also announced that its drivers will:

  • be enrolled into a pension plan (including both drivers' and Uber contributions)
  • receive paid holiday time (based on 12.07% of their earnings and paid fortnightly)
  • be offered free insurance to cover sickness, injury and parental payments
  • continue to be able to choose if, when, and where they drive.

Top Tips for Employers

Uber's decision to pay the minimum wage and provide certain benefits will no doubt cause all employers within the gig economy to consider how their workforce is remunerated and whether any supposedly self-employed contractors are, in fact, workers or employees. 

There is also the issue of public perception, with certain major investment houses this week declining to invest in some gig economy businesses because of concerns about how their workforces are treated. 

In order to avoid potential claims and disputes, our employment lawyers can make an assessment on the status of your staff and what employment rights they may have.


For specialist legal advice on employment rights, please contact Sharmin Chowdhury in the Employment Law team on 01923 919 373 or complete the form below.

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