More than 600,000 people in the United Kingdom have signed an online petition protesting against Uber’s ban in London, even as police in the capital accused the company of falling short over reporting sexual offences allegedly committed by some of its drivers.
Transport regulators in Britain’s capital made the shock decision on Friday not to renew the app-based taxi service a licence to operate from September 30, on the grounds of “public safety and security”.
The petition opposing the announcement says that 40,000 drivers would be put out of work, while millions of Londoners would be deprived of “a convenient and affordable form of transport".
Meanwhile, the head of London’s Metropolitan police’s taxi and private hire unit accused Uber of being selective over which crimes it reported, telling police only about “less serious matters” that would be “less damaging to [its] reputation”.
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Inspector Neil Billany wrote in a letter obtained by The Sunday Times that the company had kept at least six alleged sexual assaults on passengers, two public order offences and an assault committed by its drivers from police. In one case, the driver in question had gone on to commit a second, more serious sexual attack.
“Had Uber notified police after the first offence, it would be right to assume the second would have been prevented,” Mr Billany wrote.
Scotland Yard received 48 allegations of sexual assaults by drivers against passengers in London in the year to February 2017.
On Friday, Uber’s chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi warned that the global company would pay “a high cost for a poor reputation” in the wake of the ban in London.
Mr Khosrowshahi, who replaced Travis Kalanick as the Uber chief last month, sent an email to employees in which he confirmed that the company would appeal the Transport for London (TfL) ban.
“It’s critical that we act with integrity in everything we do, and learn how to be a better partner to every city we operate in,” he wrote.
“That doesn’t mean abandoning our principles - we will vigorously appeal TfL’s decision - but rather building trust through our actions and our behaviour. In doing so, we will show that Uber is not just a really great product, but a really great company that is meaningfully contributing to society, beyond its business and its bottom line.”
Operating in 50 British cities, London is Uber’s biggest European market with 3.5 million customers.
Its arrival in the capital in 2012 was controversial because it significantly undercut the prices of the city’s famous black cab fleet, one of the most expensive in the world.
Unsurprisingly, black cab bosses, who last year blocked London’s streets in protest at Uber, praised the decision not to renew the licence as the “right call”.
For now, Uber will continue to operate as the company appeals the ban by TfL, which itself is chaired by London’s mayor Sadiq Khan.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
