Agent model brings Uber operations in line with rest of UK private hire sector, says Uber UK General Manager
- Perry Richardson
- 23 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Uber’s decision to adopt an agent model for drivers outside London brings the company into line with the wider private hire sector and existing Government rules, according to its UK General Manager.
In an exclusive interview with TaxiPoint, Andrew Brem said the change represents alignment with established industry practice rather than a fundamental shift in how Uber operates. “Almost every operator outside of London is an Agent, so this is Uber aligning with the entire rest of the industry and the rules set out by the Government,” he said.
The move follows recent media scrutiny over changes to Uber’s terms for drivers operating beyond the capital. Under an agent model, private hire operators act on behalf of drivers in accepting bookings, rather than contracting directly with passengers as principal. The structure is widely used across England and Wales outside London.
Brem sought to reassure drivers and stakeholders that employment status and associated benefits would remain unchanged. “What isn’t changing is that Uber will still offer drivers ‘worker’ status, meaning our drivers have industry leading benefits, including holiday pay,” he said.
Andrew Brem states move outside London aligns company with Government framework while retaining worker status and benefits for drivers
Uber’s classification of drivers as workers, first introduced following a 2021 Supreme Court ruling relating to operations in London, entitles drivers to paid holiday and at least the National Living Wage for engaged time. The company says those provisions will continue to apply outside the capital despite the contractual shift to an agent model.
Brem also pointed to additional benefits that Uber says distinguish it from other operators in the private hire market. “To my knowledge we’re the only operator that automatically enrols drivers into a workplace pension which includes contributions from Uber - the first of its kind in the ride hailing PHV industry,” he said.
He added that drivers using the platform have access to sickness and injury protection, payments for new parents and free Open University courses for drivers and their families.
The clarification comes amid heightened attention on regulatory compliance and employment models within the taxi and private hire sector. Outside London, licensing and regulatory oversight is handled by individual local authorities, many of which oversee operators working under the agent framework as standard practice.
For operators and drivers , the impact of Uber’s move will depend on how local licensing authorities interpret and enforce existing rules. Brem’s comments suggest the company views the change as administrative alignment rather than a restructuring of its driver relationship.
While debate continues in parts of the media, Uber maintains that its approach outside London reflects the prevailing model across the UK private hire industry, with worker protections remaining in place for those using its platform.
Brem said: “Almost every operator outside of London is an Agent, so this is Uber aligning with the entire rest of the industry and the rules set out by the Government. What isn’t changing is that Uber will still offer drivers ‘worker’ status, meaning our drivers have industry leading benefits, including holiday pay.
“To my knowledge we’re the only operator that automatically enrols drivers into a workplace pension which includes contributions from Uber - the first of its kind in the ride hailing PHV industry. Drivers using Uber have free sickness and injury protection, new parent payments and free Open University courses for them and their families.”
