Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to prevent the unfair dismissal of drivers by app-based private hire companies through the suspension or deactivation of those drivers' accounts by those companies.

An individual’s entitlement to rights at work is determined by their employment status, employee, worker or self-employed. Though most private hire vehicle drivers are considered to be self-employed, they can be classed under any of these depending on their employment relationship.

Employees are entitled to all rights including being protected against unfair dismissal (subject to qualifying periods) and have responsibilities towards their employer. So called limb (b) workers are entitled to core employment rights but have increased flexibility and self-employed individuals generally have no employment rights but have complete flexibility in their work and are in business for themselves and provide a service to a client. If an individual believes they have been classified in the wrong way they can contact Acas, which deals with questions from employers, individuals, and others about a wide range of employment relations matters.

An employer needs to have a valid reason and take appropriate steps if they are to dismiss an employee. Employees who consider that their dismissal was unfair can complain to an employment tribunal, generally subject to a qualifying period of continuous service.