Each Uber driver within the UK might be eligible for 20 hours of free childcare below a brand new scheme meant to get extra ladies driving taxis.
They’ll have the ability to use the allowance by way of a nannying and babysitting app for the remainder of 2025.
“We actually, actually want to entice extra feminine drivers onto the Uber platform,” mentioned Uber UK Common Supervisor Andrew Brem.
However the Unbiased Staff Union of Nice Britain (IWGB), which represents drivers, mentioned “anybody can see by way of” what it known as a “cynical PR stunt”.
“If Uber actually wished to help households, they might pay drivers sufficient cash in order that they might afford day off to be with their youngsters,” it advised the BBC in a press release.
“As a substitute Uber’s insultingly low charges drive drivers to spend so lengthy on the roads that in lots of circumstances relationships rupture and households are damaged up,” it added.
Uber mentioned it trialled free childcare with 1,000 drivers and had an overwhelmingly constructive response – with 96% of those that took half saying it made it simpler to tackle work.
Now, the scheme might be prolonged to the greater than 100,000 Uber drivers within the UK.
“Like another occupations, [Uber driving] occurs to be predominantly male – that is not one thing that we would like,” Mr Brem advised BBC Information.
He expects the free childcare to initially be utilized by present drivers slightly than new ones, “nevertheless it’s extra, I believe, to get drivers into the behavior of doing this.”
He provides: “By testing it without charge, you may have the expertise, and also you see the convenience of getting childcare by way of this specific route.”
Uber UK will maintain the scheme open for the remainder of the 12 months after which “see the way it goes,” by way of extending it additional, Mr Brem mentioned.
The agency will hope the transfer could assist assuage drivers who’ve taken strike motion in current months over what they are saying is unfair pay.
In October, Uber drivers in Glasgow advised the BBC their wages had fallen in 2024, regardless of value will increase being handed on to clients.
Then in January, hanging drivers mentioned they had been working “too many hours” regardless of having households at house.
“I have never but come throughout an worker survey, together with our personal, the place folks do not say that they need to earn extra,” mentioned Mr Brem.
“I do perceive that our most important position in serving to them extra, although, is to is to maintain the platform tremendous busy, so our focus is on really development of demand,” he mentioned.
Mr Brem mentioned drivers may now see a weekly breakdown of how a lot cash they earned in comparison with how a lot of the fare Uber takes.
He added that, popping out of lockdowns, there was a interval of “unusually larger earnings” for drivers, as demand outstripped provide of obtainable rides.
“We’re extra in a type of regular state of affairs now, however that in all probability impacts a number of the experiences that [drivers] have had,” he says.
Uber has additionally highlighted the expertise of 1 mom of three who participated in its childcare pilot and mentioned it had been a “large enhance”.
Tania Naseer mentioned she used the childcare throughout work and in addition to exit with mates.
“As a mom, it is essential for me to have my very own batteries charged to be able to be there for my youngsters,” she advised BBC Information.
“Now, I can rent a sitter for the weekend after which I can work the weekend, and they’re the busiest hours.”
She added: “Ideally, sure, a pay rise could be nice, however proper now it appears to be working how it’s.”
The childcare might be provided by way of a babysitting and nannying app known as Bubble, which matches mother and father with childminders.
Drivers can use the free hours every time they need, not simply when they’re working for Uber.
Mr Brem says he hopes drivers utilizing the childcare scheme will “recognise it is a beneficial factor that they want to keep on themselves” after they’ve used their free hours.
