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As it happenedended1506082483

Uber London ban - live updates: Ride hailing app's private hire licence will not be renewed after 30 September

Company says decision 'will put more than 40,000 licensed drivers out of work'

Tom Embury-Dennis
Friday 22 September 2017 11:50 BST
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Uber was given just a four-month temporary licence for London in May.
Uber was given just a four-month temporary licence for London in May. (YouTube)

Uber has been banned in London after Transport for London announced it will not be renewing the company's licence to operate in the city.

The move has dealt a huge blow to the ride hailing app, which has tens of thousands of UK-based drivers and a huge customer base.

The transport authority said that Uber didn't meet its rigorous reglation standards to ensure passenger safety.

But the ruling allows the opportunity for an appeal, and makes clear that Uber will be able to continue to operate while that process is ongoing.

Follow all the live updates below...

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The TaxPayers' Alliance, a British pressure group campaigning for a low tax society, has condemned TfL's decision.  Alex Wild, research director, says: "TfL has once again caved into pressure from unions who wreak havoc with their endless strikes and never miss an opportunity to rip-off passengers.

“This announcement is terrible news for those who rely on the service for transport and a living, but what’s especially galling is the 7 figure annual subsidy TfL provides to militant unions like the RMT who will be celebrating their latest victory over ordinary Londoners tonight.

“City Hall must look urgently at this issue and scale back the 700-strong army of union representatives TfL employs."

Jack Austin22 September 2017 12:40
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Journalist and former Channel 4 News Economics Editor Paul Mason has a rather different take:

Jack Austin22 September 2017 12:42
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A petition to save Uber has already been launched. And the company is encouraging its customers to sign it.

Jack Austin22 September 2017 12:44
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For many millennial Londoners, life without Uber is "impossible to imagine".

Jack Austin22 September 2017 12:51
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An alternative take:

Jack Austin22 September 2017 12:56
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All the countries and cities that have already banned Uber.

Jack Austin22 September 2017 12:58
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A journalist for right-leaning outlet Guido Fawkes claims Uber only found out about the decision a minute before TfL announced the news on Twitter.

Jack Austin22 September 2017 13:07
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Jack Austin22 September 2017 13:11
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Jack Austin22 September 2017 13:11
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Reaction to the Uber ban is extremely divided:

Jack Austin22 September 2017 13:12

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