Uber has hailed accelerating growth in the UK following a landmark victory over black cab drivers. The minicab app’s British turnover increased more than tenfold last year to £11.3m, according to accounts filed at Companies House. The figure reflects only Uber’s share of fares for trips booked via its service – at least 70pc of payments go straight to the self-employed drivers. Uber, which is backed by major investors including Google and Goldman Sachs, also moved into the black in the UK for the first time, posting a pre-tax profit of nearly £900,000, compared with a loss of £337,000 in 2013. It paid £22,000 in corporation tax. The Silicon Valley-based company entered the UK in 2012, beginning in London, and has rapidly expanded to employ more than 100 staff and cover major cities across the country. A spokesman said: “We’re a young company that’s investing heavily to expand. “We’re a significant net contributor to the local economy everywhere we go, creating new opportunities for thousands of professional drivers. "The lion’s share of every fare stays local. And unlike the cash-in-hand past of this industry, we only take card payments so every fare is traceable and transparent.” The growing popularity of Uber has been confirmed as the company celebrates a victory over black cab drivers, who allege it illegally operates metered taxis. The High Court on Friday rejected the claim, ruling that the service was not a metered taxi because fares are calculated by Uber’s central systems rather than inside vehicles. The decision was a boost in the company’s battles with regulators and traditional taxi drivers around the world.
After Uber ’s landmark victory over black cab drivers on Friday , there is more good news for the ride-hailing app: UK sales have risen tenfold in the past year . British turnover soared to 900,000 last year , according to data from The High Court . The app’s accelerating growth also brings its first London profit, with pre-tax profits hitting £ 900,000 , after reporting a loss of £ £11.3m in 2013 .