While numerous rights are afforded to citizens via employment it certainly seems that Uber and Deliveroo (and many Amazon delivery drivers) being treated as entrepreneurs is largely an excercise in depriving them of basic entitlements.

I would be happy for such innovation in contract law if the provisions to protect citizens were less tied to employment.

I too will be interested to see how this plays out, as I think Uber would still need to stay to maintain market position, lest they end up losing UK to a competitor. But as you point out, it will certainly make them likely to be more picky in "hiring" new drivers.

I wonder if it will be a net positive for workers or not in the short and long term.