IN THE NEWS
UBER’S UK PROFITABILITY AT RISK AMIDST RISING COSTS DESPITE £1BN REVENUE SURGE
Uber has cautioned it may struggle to maintain profitability in the UK due to escalating costs, despite revenues climbing by over £1bn during its most recent financial year. The American technology giant has stated it must generate and sustain higher revenue levels whilst reducing proportionate expenditure in forthcoming years “to achieve profitability in many of our largest markets”. Uber further noted that even if
successful in this endeavour, “we may not be able to maintain or increase profitability”. This warning, emphasised in bold text, appeared in the company’s latest financial accounts for 2024, which demonstrate revenues leaping from £5.2bn to £6.5bn. Nevertheless, the results lodged with Companies House also reveal that Uber’s pre-tax profit in the UK dropped from £29.3m to £21.6m during the same timeframe. Uber attributed its 24% turnover
increase primarily to a rise in taxi journeys and orders via Uber Eats. Revenue from its mobility division climbed from £4.1bn to £5.1bn throughout the year, whilst Uber Eats’ sales similarly expanded from £1.1bn to £1.3bn. Simultaneously, the group’s cost of sales soared from £4.1bn to £5.1bn. Regarding the 26% decline in pre- tax profit, the company explained this was chiefly due to increased administrative expenses within its Delivery UK operations.
CHESHIRE COUNCILLOR TO FACE SANCTIONS FOR BULLYING AND HARASSING LOCAL CABBIE
A Cheshire West and Chester (CWAC) councillor is set to be sanctioned after a disciplinary panel found he had abused his position in a dispute with a local taxi driver. Cllr Simon Boone, who represents the Winsford Swanlow ward, was scheduled to appear before the council’s Standards Complaints Panel on August 19, but did not attend, citing a prior engagement. The hearing proceeded in his absence, a decision the panel justified by the cost of postpone- ment and the uncertainty of his future attendance. The investiga- tion focused on two main incidents involving taxi driver David Edwards. The first was a Facebook post from Cllr Boone’s account in February 2024, in which he referred to an incident where Edwards refused to give him and his friends a ride. In the post, Cllr Boone called the
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driver “very childish and unprofes- sional” and mentioned his membership on CWAC’s licensing committee, which is responsible for granting taxi licences. The second matter involved Cllr Boone repeatedly phoning, emailing, and visiting the office of Edwards’ employer, Ian’s Taxis, to complain about Edwards’ driving. Transcripts and a video recording presented to the panel show Cllr Boone repeatedly referring to his status as a councillor and a member of the licensing committee. The panel concluded that Cllr Boone’s conduct breached several rules of the council’s code of conduct, including those on treating the public with respect; bullying and harassment; misusing his position as a councillor and bringing his role as a councillor into disrepute. The panel has indicated they will include a requirement for further
code of conduct training and a public apology to David Edwards. The panel added that if Cllr Boone had not already resigned from the licensing committee, he would have been removed. In a statement after the hearing, Cllr Boone denied the allegations, calling the Facebook post “a fabrication” and stating he only mentioned his council role “for openness and transparency.” He accused the hearing of being “political manoeuvring by Labour to try and damage my reputation” and a “kangaroo-style court.” Cllr Boone said: “I was not acting on behalf of the council, so it is impossible to bring the council into disrepute,” and added: “I have no influence on any committee as an independent councillor.” He concluded by stating he would be appealing the decision and “will not be apologising to anyone.”
OCTOBER 2025 PHTM
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