London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026

UK Taxi Firms Launch Crowdfunding for Legal Battle Against Uber Over VAT Implications

UK Taxi Firms Launch Crowdfunding for Legal Battle Against Uber Over VAT Implications

Two taxi companies are seeking funds to challenge Uber’s approach to VAT, which could significantly increase fares for private hire journeys outside London.
Two British taxi companies, Delta Taxis from Liverpool and Veezu from Cardiff, have initiated a crowdfunding campaign to support their ongoing legal battle against Uber.

The case, which will be brought before the Supreme Court in July, centers on whether value-added tax (VAT) should be applicable to private hire vehicle (PHV) operators outside of London.

Uber contends that a ruling in its favor would create a level playing field for private hire companies across the UK.

The taxi firms are aiming to raise £500,000 to continue their challenge, as legal costs have already exceeded £1 million due to previous court proceedings in 2022 and 2023, along with an anticipated Court of Appeal case in 2024.

Previously, following a 2021 decision regarding fares in London, Uber was required to incorporate VAT into rides booked through its app.

This requirement arose from legal actions taken by the company against Sefton Council, where Delta Taxis is based, concerning the terms set for operators.

Typically, PHV companies categorize their drivers as independent, self-employed contractors, exempting them from VAT obligations.

However, the taxi industry argues that the changes proposed by Uber could result in fare increases of at least 20% for private hire journeys outside London, directly impacting passengers.

Data provided by Veezu indicates that a substantial portion of minicab journeys—43%—serve medical, work, or educational purposes, rather than leisure activities.

The taxi firms have articulated concerns that the regulatory changes could threaten the viability of many small operators, potentially displacing around 25,000 self-employed drivers and leaving passengers with limited or no options for transportation.

Paul McLaughlin from Delta Taxis characterized the situation as a significant challenge for traditional PHV firms, emphasizing the potential ramifications on their business model which has been a fixture of British culture for generations.

Nia Cooper, chief legal officer at Veezu, underscored the critical role of the private hire industry within the UK’s transport network, stating that it delivers essential journeys for many passengers, including those who are vulnerable.

An Uber spokesperson stated that the company advocates for regulatory consistency across the UK to ensure that all operators are subject to the same operational framework.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Economy Faces Acute Strain as Trump’s Global Tariff Reshapes Trade Landscape
UK Signals Retaliation Is Possible as New US Tariff Policy Threatens Trade Stability
British Police Arrest Former Ambassador Peter Mandelson in Epstein-Related Misconduct Probe
Australia Officially Supports Proposal to Remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from Royal Succession
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan remains silent on ISIS brides' resettlement plans in Melbourne
Former UK Ambassador Peter Mandelson Arrested in Connection with Jeffrey Epstein
Jacob Rees Mogg afraid to talk about Peter Mandelson arrest on “suspicion of misconduct in a public office” (Pedophilia, corruption, etc.)
United Nations Calls for Global Action Against Disinformation and Hate Speech Online
Tucker Carlson warns of an inevitable clash in Western societies over mass migration
President Trump warns countries against abandoning recent trade deals with the US
Diverging Polls Show Mixed Signals on UK Economic Revival as Confidence Remains Fragile
Spotify Expands AI-Driven ‘Prompted Playlists’ Feature to the United Kingdom and Other Markets
Greens and Reform UK Surge in Manchester By-Election, Threatening Labour’s Historic Stronghold
UK Businesses Push for Closer European Trade Links Amid Renewed US Tariff Uncertainty
Deloitte Global Overhaul Sparks Leadership Contest in the United Kingdom
University of Kentucky and Microsoft to Showcase Campus-Wide AI Innovation
UK Food System Faces Acute Vulnerability to Shocks, Experts Warn
Reform UK’s Proposed ICE-Style Deportation Scheme Triggers Sharp Backlash
U.S. Global Tariff Push Leaves Britain, Australia and Others Facing Higher Costs and Trade Strain
UK Police Officers Guarded 2010 Epstein Dinner Attended by Prince Andrew, Reports Say
US Trade Representative Affirms Commitment to Existing Tariff Agreements with UK and Other Partners
Activists at the Louvre hung a framed Reuters photograph of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor slumped in the back of a car leaving a police station on the day of his arrest
The royal biographer said that he expected the police to 'look at the money trail' - including Sarah Ferguson borrowing money from Epstein
A Protestor screams in NYC: “Bill Gates is on the Epstein’s List…”
FBI and Secret Service Hold Press Conference After Shooting Incident at Mar-a-Lago
Mark Zuckerberg Testifies in Trial Over Social Media's Impact on Children's Mental Health
Maggie Oliver exposes Keir Starmer using letters to close child rapists investigations
Kouri Richie's wrote a children’s book to help her sons grieve the death of their father. Now she’ll stand trial for his murder
New York Braces for Major Snowstorm With Up to 18 Inches Forecast and Blizzard Warnings Issued
Mexican Military Kills CJNG Leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes as Violence Erupts Across Jalisco
Metropolitan Police Deploys Palantir-Powered AI to Flag Potential Officer Misconduct
UK Parliament Rebukes Police Over Ban on Israeli Football Fans
Britain Emerges Among a Small Group of Nations Without a Religious Majority
UK’s Manufacturing Base at Risk as Soaring Energy Costs Weigh on Industry
Matt Goodwin’s Unconventional Campaign for Reform UK in the Gorton and Denton By-Election
US Military Movements in the UK Spark Speculation Over Preparations Related to Iran Tensions
UK Faces Significant Economic Risk From Trump’s New Global Tariff Regime
UK Defence Secretary Signals Intent to Deploy British Troops to Ukraine
UK Students Mark Lunar New Year as Universities Adjust to New Equality Compliance Rules
UK Government Weighs Removing Prince Andrew from Line of Succession After Arrest
Prince Andrew’s Arrest in UK Rekindles Scrutiny Over US Handling of Epstein Records
Trump’s Strategic Warning to UK Over Chagos Islands Deal Sparks Diplomatic Whiplash
Starmer Government Postpones Local Elections Affecting 4.5 Million Voters
UK Economy Remains Fragile Despite Recent Upturn in Headline Indicators
UK Businesses Face Fresh Uncertainty Following US Tariff Ruling
Reform UK’s Senior Figures Face Scrutiny Over Remarks on Women and Family Policy
UK Electric Vehicle Drive Threatened by Shortage of 44,000 Qualified Technicians
University of Kentucky Trustees Advance Academic Reforms and Approve Coliseum Plaza Purchase
Boris Johnson Calls for Immediate Deployment of UK Troops to Support Ukraine
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman praises the rapid progress of Chinese tech companies.
×