London minicab drivers stage protest over licensing delays outside Mayor’s gala event
- Perry Richardson
- 54 minutes ago
- 2 min read
A section of London’s private hire drivers gathered outside a black-tie dinner attended by Mayor Sadiq Khan and senior Transport for London (TfL) officials to protest the ongoing licensing delay crisis.
The demonstration, organised by the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), called for urgent reform to protect drivers from financial hardship and unsafe working conditions.
The protest took place outside Camden’s Roundhouse, where guests arrived in formal wear for a fundraising event. In contrast, drivers rolled out their own symbolic red carpet. They delivered speeches and mock toasts “to the drivers working 16-hour days” and “to the drivers struggling to put food on the table.”
Drivers also paid tribute to colleagues who have died while working under difficult conditions. They honoured Rob Dale, who suffered a fatal heart attack in November last year while waiting for his licence renewal, and Gabriel Bringye, an IWGB member killed by a passenger whilst working in 2021.
The licensing backlog, which began over a year ago, continues to leave thousands of private hire drivers unable to work while waiting for renewals to be processed. Some drivers have faced car repossessions, rising debt and loss of income as a result of the delays.
The IWGB has now taken legal action against TfL, arguing that the current system unfairly disadvantages private hire drivers compared to black cab drivers. The union is seeking structural reform to prevent future backlogs and to ensure a more consistent and transparent approach to licensing.
TfL has previously said it is working to improve processing times but maintains that safety and background checks must not be compromised. The union argues that while safety is vital, drivers cannot be left without income for extended periods due to administrative issues.
Nader Awaad, a London private hire driver and Chair of the IWGB Private Hire Drivers Branch, said: “TfL managers are sipping champagne whilst drivers can barely put food on the table. We are calling on TfL to regulate London’s private hire industry.
“They have a responsibility to ensure that the drivers who keep London moving are fairly paid, have proper health and safety measures, and are protected from unfair deactivations. Any driver out there who is unhappy with the industry needs to join our next protest. It's time for drivers in London to achieve what drivers in New York and Barcelona already have - a united workforce with the power to win fairer treatment, better conditions, and higher pay."
