"Uber loses latest legal bid over driver rights", 19 December 2018

Uber has lost an appeal against a ruling that its drivers should be treated as workers rather than self-employed.

In 2016 a tribunal ruled drivers James Farrar and Yaseen Aslam were Uber staff and entitled to holiday pay, paid rest breaks and the minimum wage. That ruling has now been upheld by the Court of Appeal.

But Uber... said it would appeal to the Supreme Court.

Mr Farrar... said: "I am delighted today's ruling brings us closer to the ending Uber's abuse of precarious workers..." He added... he was dismayed that implementation of worker status for drivers was being further delayed while Uber seeks yet another appeal...

"Almost all taxi and private hire drivers have been self-employed for decades, long before our app existed," an Uber spokesperson said... "If drivers were classified as workers they would inevitably lose some of the freedom and flexibility that comes with being their own boss."

However, law firm Gowling WLG expects the Supreme Court to uphold the decision...