UK: Uber drivers ‘will be forced to take basic English test’ as firm loses High Court battle with TfL to block new rule
VO-CAB TEST Uber drivers ‘will be forced to take basic
English test’ as firm loses High Court battle with TfL to block new rule
The controversial TfL ruling proposes drivers without a
minimum GCSE in English will need to take a test to work
By ELLIE FLYNN 3rd March 2017, 11:15 am Updated: 3rd March 2017, 1:36 pm
UBER drivers could be forced to take English language
tests after the private hire firm lost a High Court bid to block the new rule.
The controversial TfL ruling proposes drivers without a
minimum GCSE in English will need to take a test to work.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he is “delighted” the
High Court rejected Uber’s bid.
The company launched a legal challenge alongside three
individually licensed drivers.
Tom de la Mare QC, acting for Uber, argues 70,000
applicants would fail to obtain a licence under the new ruling.
The court also heard 33,000 drivers would lose their jobs
over three years if the new rule came into place.
Critics suggest the test is “unrealistic” and will lead
to discrimination.
However TfL says it is necessary for customer safety and
public protection.
Peter Blake, Transport for London’s Director of Service
Operations, said: “The judgment today means that we can ensure that all
licensed drivers have the right level of English, which is vital for customer
safety.
“The court also recognised the need for passengers to be
able to contact the private hire company they’re using should an emergency
arise. We will reflect on today’s judgment and consider how best to deliver the
further improvements we want to see to passenger safety and to standards across
the industry.”
They originally only wanted to test people from countries
where English is not the primary language, but this was blocked in court as
discriminatory.
In a statement, TfL said: “The changes to regulation of
the private hire industry being challenged in this case are vital, to ensure
passenger safety and to raise standards. We continue to robustly defend this
claim.”
Uber has said it will appeal the decision at the Court of
Appeal.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3001336/uber-drivers-english-test-high-court-transport-for-london-tfl/
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