A Labour MP in Nottingham has pledged support to local taxi drivers by donating thousands of pounds out of her salary.

Nottinghamshire live reports that Nadia Whittome, MP for Nottingham East, has announced a donation of £2,000 to the App Drivers & Couriers Union (ADCU) which represents taxi drivers in Nottingham.

This is the fourth donation this year from Parliament's youngest MP who, after being elected, said she would only take home £35,000 out of her £81,000 salary, and give the rest to local causes.

The ADCU organises private hire drivers and couriers across the UK.

They run campaigns around fair pay and union recognition in the gig economy, and against unfair terminations of drivers working for companies such as Uber, Bolt and Addison Lee.

In October, Ms Whittome spoke at a meeting of the International Alliance of App-Based Transport Workers representing drivers from 23 countries, including ADCU members in the UK.

And this week, she donated £2,000 to the Nottingham couriers branch of the IWGB union which represents Deliveroo riders.

The MP said: "Drivers are key workers.

"They have played a vital part in getting us through the Covid-19 crisis, and showed selflessness and solidarity when they offered free lifts to NHS and social care staff.

"They deserve much more than just applause.

"The ADCU does a brilliant job standing up for gig economy workers in our city, who often face low pay, job insecurity and lack of basic workers’ rights such as holiday pay.

"It’s been a pleasure to work with them over the past year, and I’m pleased to use my donation to support their campaigns."

Azeem Hanif, the Chair of ADCU’s Nottingham Branch, said: "Nadia has always been proactive in supporting precarious workers and has always vehemently supported the App Drivers & Courier Union by standing shoulder to shoulder with us at rallies and protests.

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Full article is here https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/nottingham-mp-nadia-whittome-donates-4814495

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