Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Road Safety: Gig Economy Couriers

Thursday 27 March 2025 · 1 question

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Bambos Charalambous raised concerns about road safety for gig economy couriers in Southgate and Wood Green.
  • The Minister acknowledged the importance of the issue and referenced a December letter to food delivery companies.
  • Research from University College London indicates gig economy riders face higher risks of vehicle damage and accidents.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bambos Charalambous Lab Southgate and Wood Green
Context

Research from University College London shows that gig economy riders are three times as likely to report damage to their vehicle and nearly twice as likely to report injury compared to average riders. This is exacerbated by time pressures imposed by employers.

Question

Two-wheeled couriers working in the gig economy experience more road dangers than average riders due to time pressures from employers. Research from University College London shows that gig economy riders are three times as likely to report damage to their vehicle and nearly twice as likely to report injury. What steps are being taken, including with employers of gig economy riders and other stakeholders, to protect gig economy riders and reduce dangers for them and other road users and pedestrians?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Lilian Greenwood)

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising that important issue, which I know will be familiar to many Members across the House. In December, the Minister for Local Transport wrote to the main food delivery companies to remind them of the importance the Government place on the safety of food delivery riders and other road users and to remind them of their obligations. It is essential that delivery riders follow the highway code, despite the time pressure they are sometimes operating under.

Partly answered

How: Reminded Food Delivery Companies Of Their Obligations

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