Each Uber driver within the UK will probably be eligible for 20 hours of free childcare underneath a brand new scheme meant to get extra girls driving taxis.
They may be capable to use the allowance by means of a nannying and babysitting app for the remainder of 2025.
“We actually, actually wish to appeal to extra feminine drivers onto the Uber platform,” mentioned Uber UK Common Supervisor Andrew Brem.
However the Impartial Staff Union of Nice Britain (IWGB), which represents drivers, mentioned “anybody can see by means of” what it referred to as a “cynical PR stunt”.
“If Uber actually wished to assist households, they might pay drivers sufficient cash in order that they may afford day off to be with their youngsters,” it advised the BBC in a press release.
“As a substitute Uber’s insultingly low charges pressure drivers to spend so lengthy on the roads that in lots of instances 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 will probably 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 fairly than new ones, “however it’s extra, I feel, 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 benefit of getting childcare by means of this specific route.”
Uber UK will hold 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 latest months over what they are saying is unfair pay.
In October, Uber drivers in Glasgow told the BBC their wages had fallen in 2024, regardless of value will increase being handed on to prospects.
Then in January, striking drivers said they have been working “too many hours” regardless of having households at residence.
“I have not but come throughout an worker survey, together with our personal, the place folks do not say that they wish to earn extra,” mentioned Mr Brem.
“I do perceive that our fundamental 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 increased earnings” for drivers, as demand outstripped provide of accessible rides.
“We’re extra in a type of regular scenario now, however that most likely impacts among 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 increase”.
Tania Naseer mentioned she used the childcare throughout work and in addition to exit with associates.
“As a mom, it is necessary for me to have my very own batteries charged with the intention 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 can be nice, however proper now it appears to be working how it’s.”
The childcare will probably be supplied by means of a babysitting and nannying app referred to 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 this can be a priceless factor that they want to keep on themselves” after they’ve used their free hours.
