London, November 23, 2025
More than 1,300 self-employed delivery drivers contracted by DPD in the UK have been dismissed following a three-day nationwide strike protesting significant pay cuts introduced last September, triggering calls from a former cabinet minister for the Labour Party to support the affected workers and address broader gig economy labour protections.
DPD Sackings and Pay Disputes
Since late September 2025, DPD implemented a reduction of 65p per small parcel and scrapped the £500 Christmas bonus, measures that have effectively cut drivers’ annual incomes by between £6,000 and £8,000. This followed a decade-long wage freeze, provoking a nationwide stoppage among 1,300 to 1,500 delivery drivers classified as self-employed or franchise contractors. After the strike, DPD ended contracts with multiple suppliers and dismissed drivers, reportedly targeting those identified as strike “ringleaders” or vocal critics.
The courier company confirmed that contracts were terminated with at least eight supplier firms, citing breaches of nondisclosure agreements and contracts, actions perceived by drivers and supporters as retaliatory dismissals for organising or participating in industrial action.
Corporate Profits Amid Worker Discontent
This unrest occurs against a backdrop of strong financial performance for DPD’s parent company, GeoPost/DPD Group, which reported operating profits of £520 million in 2024. The contrast between soaring corporate earnings and the precarious, low wages paid to delivery drivers has intensified scrutiny of worker treatment within the gig economy.
Political and Public Response
The sackings have drawn criticism from across the political spectrum. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has publicly advocated for enhanced legal protections and rights for gig economy workers. Additionally, a former cabinet minister urged the Labour Party to back the drivers, emphasizing the wider ramifications for self-employed workers’ rights and urging reforms to prevent such retaliatory dismissals.
These developments underscore ongoing debates about the classification of gig workers and the lack of employment protections that many argue expose workers to exploitation, arbitrary contract termination, and insecure earnings.
Gig Economy Context
Most DPD drivers operate as self-employed contractors, a model that excludes them from basic labour rights such as minimum wage guarantees, holiday pay, and protection from unfair dismissal. The current dispute highlights the vulnerabilities inherent in this classification and the urgent calls for legislative reform to address these disparities.
Prospects and Labour Party Pressure
Reports indicate that many sacked drivers are considering further strike action, expressing frustration over limited negotiation channels and concerns about further retaliation. The call for the Labour Party’s formal support has thrust gig economy reforms into the political spotlight, with pressure mounting on policymakers to enact stronger protections for workers in precarious employment models.
The DPD case exemplifies the evolving challenges within the modern labour market where the growth of gig work conflicts with traditional concepts of worker security and rights, signaling a potential landmark moment in the UK’s efforts to safeguard fair pay and job security in an increasingly flexible labour economy.