Latest news with #Veezu
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Veezu, which runs in Newport, partners with NSPCC Cymru
Veezu, which runs in Newport, will be donating a portion of revenue from every app-based booking in Wales throughout June to NSPCC Cymru. The campaign aims to raise £10,000 for Childline, the charity's confidential helpline for young people. This is in addition to the £26,153 raised since 2023. Sally Krouma, marketing manager at Veezu, said: "At Veezu, we're passionate about making a positive impact in the communities we serve. "By donating a proportion of app booking revenue, we hope to help Childline be there for every child who needs someone to listen." Hywel Peterson, chairman of NSPCC Cymru's fundraising board, added: "We are incredibly grateful to Veezu for standing with us this Childhood Day. "Partnerships like this are essential in helping us keep children safe and give them hope for a brighter future."
Business News Wales
6 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Veezu Partners with NSPCC Cymru to Support Childhood Day 2025
Private hire technology company Veezu has announced its renewed partnership with NSPCC Cymru in support of Childhood Day 2025, the charity's national day of fundraising and awareness. Building on £26,153 already raised for NSPCC Cymru since 2023, Veezu will donate a portion of revenue from every app-based booking in Wales throughout the month of June. The campaign aims to raise a further £10,000 to support Childline, the NSPCC's confidential helpline for children and young people. With more than 1,500 Veezu driver-partners operating across Wales, the initiative is designed to deliver meaningful local impact and help ensure that vital support remains accessible to children when they need it most. Childhood Day, observed each June, raises awareness of the daily challenges facing children and the importance of creating safe, supportive environments where they can thrive. On average, a child contacts Childline every 45 seconds, often in moments of distress or isolation. Many reach out seeking help with issues such as abuse, neglect, bullying or mental health concerns. Every donation helps ensure a trained counsellor is there to listen, offer reassurance, and provide support at critical moments. This partnership forms part of 'Funded by Veezu', the company's ongoing initiative to support local charities, grassroots sports teams and community projects across the UK. It reflects Veezu's broader commitment to investing in the well-being of the communities where driver-partners and passengers live and work. Sally Krouma, Marketing Manager at Veezu, said: 'At Veezu, we're passionate about making a positive impact in the communities we serve. Partnering with NSPCC Cymru for Childhood Day allows us to support a cause that directly aligns with our values. By donating a proportion of app booking revenue, we hope to help Childline be there for every child who needs someone to listen.' Hywel Peterson, Chairman of NSPCC Cymru's Fundraising Board, added: 'We are incredibly grateful to Veezu for standing with us this Childhood Day. Every donation helps ensure our counsellors can be there for children and young people whenever they need support. Partnerships like this are essential in helping us keep children safe and give them hope for a brighter future.'
The Guardian
13-03-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Taxi firms crowdfund legal battle with Uber over VAT on fares in UK
Two British taxi companies have launched a crowdfunding drive for the last leg of a lengthy legal battle with Uber that could result in higher cab fares. Uber will seek, at a supreme court hearing in July, a ruling on contractual models that affect whether VAT applies to private-hire companies outside London, which it has argued would level the playing field across the UK. However, the minicab industry has fought the move, which it said could raise the cost of taxi journeys outside London by at least 20%. The private hire firms Delta Taxis from Liverpool and Veezu from Cardiff are attempting to raise £500,000 to sustain their legal battle. Costs already exceed £1m after high court cases in 2022 and 2023, and a court of appeal case in 2024. Uber was forced to add VAT to rides booked through its app after a ruling in 2021 regarding its fares in London. It then took legal action involving Sefton council in Merseyside – where Delta is based – over its terms for operators. Private hire vehicle (PHV) companies have usually classed drivers as independent, self-employed contractors and so do not pay VAT. The industry argues that regulatory change would disproportionately affect passengers who rely on cabs, such as elderly people and those with restricted mobility in areas with poor public transport. According to Veezu, its data shows that 43% of minicab trips are for medical, work, or educational reasons, rather than leisure. The cab firms have said that many small operators could be forced out of business, affecting an estimated 25,000 self-employed drivers, leaving passengers with fewer or no services. Paul McLaughlin of Delta Taxis said the appeal was a 'David v Goliath moment', adding: 'This court case could have massive repercussions for PHV firms like us using the traditional agency model, which has been part of British culture for generations. If Uber win, it will add at least 20% to the cost of a private hire taxi fare outside of London … The impact will be felt far and wide.' Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion Nia Cooper, the chief legal officer at Veezu, said: 'This case is about protecting the future of the private hire industry and the millions of passengers who rely on it every day. The private hire industry is integral to the transport network in UK and provides essential journeys to passengers, particularly those that are vulnerable.' An Uber spokesperson said: 'Uber believes that there should be consistency throughout the UK to ensure all operators are required to have the same model.'
