Are uber drivers self employed or not?

[TestMangler]

The thing we need to be very wary of is that uber for all the things it does well is burning venture capital to destroy the incumbent suppliers. I don't believe that Uber is making a profit or paying any taxes on any either at this stage. So from where I am sat using a black cab costs more because of the business model. (have to use a certain type of vehicle / need to pass tests etc)

Black cab fares are set by the council, whereas std PH and Uber are free to make theirs whatever they decide they want them to be, but yes, you are right, Uber seem to be attempting to knock out traditional systems with their own at the expense of making any money short term.

[bobspud]

Black cab fares are set by the council, whereas std PH and Uber are free to make theirs whatever they decide they want them to be, but yes, you are right, Uber seem to be attempting to knock out traditional systems with their own at the expense of making any money short term.

Then when they have finished using low paid slaves to do their dirty work, the Fully Automated S-Class fleet should be ready and then the uber drivers will be sat in the gutter next to the black cab drivers that they helped destroy. This is called progress? I think we need to have a re-think...

[Old Greg]

Then when they have finished using low paid slaves to do their dirty work, the Fully Automated S-Class fleet should be ready and then the uber drivers will be sat in the gutter next to the black cab drivers that they helped destroy. This is called progress? I think we need to have a re-think...

Right, everybody out! Smash the Spinning Jenny! Burn the Rolling Rosalind! Destroy the Going-up-and-down-a-bit-and-then-moving-along Gertrude! And death to the stupid Prince who grows fat on the profits!

[SlipTheJab]

I use Uber in place of mini cabs and black cabs all the time now to and from Birmingham International train station, so convenient and the app works really well. The same journey via Uber is half the price of a black cab. What made me try it out was the last couple of times I got a black cab the driver had no idea of where my address was (and its not exactly in the middle of nowhere) so I had to direct him all the way to my house (so much for their vaulted training) and pay him 15 quid for the trouble. The Uber drivers I spoke to are very happy with the model, they work when they want to, its convenient and secure, whats not to like (unless you drive a black/mini cab)?

[missinggreenfields]

I don't believe that Uber is making a profit or paying any taxes on any either at this stage.

Doesn't that go without saying? Company pays tax on the profit, after all

[bobspud]

Doesn't that go without saying? Company pays tax on the profit, after all

Agreed but who exactly is benefiting from this:

Forbes Welcome

We are in a state of action where Uber is using low pay + cheap venture capital to decimate a tax paying component of our economy.

You can discuss finance and tax of profits as much as you want but you have to see that screwing tax payers to the dole queue so that when they are gone you can revert to popping all your profit into an offshore haven is not helping anyone.

[barrydidit]

Agreed but who exactly is benefiting from this:

Forbes Welcome

We are in a state of action where Uber is using low pay + cheap venture capital to decimate a tax paying component of our economy.

You can discuss finance and tax of profits as much as you want but you have to see that screwing tax payers to the dole queue so that when they are gone you can revert to popping all your profit into an offshore haven is not helping anyone.

True, but that assumes that a slice of the tenner I give to Mohammed on the way home tonight finds its way to Hector.

[LondonManc]

True, but that assumes that a slice of the tenner I give to Mohammed on the way home tonight finds its way to Hector.

A slice will. Whatever you tip, won't.

[SueEllen]

A slice will. Whatever you tip, won't.

That's up to Mohammed.

[SlipTheJab]

True, but that assumes that a slice of the tenner I give to Mohammed on the way home tonight finds its way to Hector.

+1 I've asked a couple of mini cab drivers about Uber a while back, they cited the main reason they won't work for Uber is the paper trail the payment mechanism (all receipted and available for HMRC to investigate) leaves