Uber drivers’ victory could signal greater change for the self-employed | Letters

The victory against Uber by drivers and the GMB is an important one, and not just for the many workers suffering the effects of bogus self-employment and poverty wages at the hands of big companies (Uber drivers triumph in rights battle, 29 October). The rise of Uber has affected the livelihoods of traditional taxi firms all over the country and the pressure to drive down fares has compromised passenger safety.

Hedge-funded Uber's success started with the Tory-Liberal coalition government's deregulation legislation, which received the royal assent 18 months ago. While the consultation around the bill was going on, I supported the taxi trade here in Medway and many other drivers' associations and their trade unions who lobbied against deregulation because they knew it would drive down wages and weaken the powers of local councils to determine how many cabs were licensed, or to maintain safe working practices.