Delivery riders for Just Eat, Deliveroo and Uber Eats found living in squalid London shanty towns

A Daily Mail investigation has uncovered that delivery riders working for major food delivery brands including Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats are residing in illegal homeless encampments across London. The largest of these settlements is situated under a bridge in Shoreditch, east London, an area known for its vibrant nightlife and proximity to Brick Lane's numerous bars and restaurants that utilize these delivery services. The camp has reportedly doubled in size over a two-month period, indicating a rapidly worsening situation. Riders were observed beginning and ending their work shifts from this location, which lacks basic amenities such as running water, forcing inhabitants to live in squalid conditions. A separate encampment was also identified in a park in north London, where drivers for Just Eat were seen living. This exposure follows a previous Daily Mail report on a similar tent town near Euston station that has existed for over three years, suggesting a persistent and growing issue of delivery workers being forced into homelessness.

The investigation reveals the personal struggles of the individuals living in these camps. One man, who has resided at the Shoreditch site for a year while working for Uber Eats, described the harsh reality of the situation. He explained that while an ID is required to register as a delivery rider, some individuals resort to using a friend's account to gain employment. The lack of facilities makes basic hygiene, such as showering, extremely difficult. The man, who stated he has no family in the country, expressed that for many, living in such conditions is not a choice but a necessity due to a lack of alternatives. The environment is also described as chaotic and unsafe, with reports of people screaming and being under the influence of substances. This human element, according to one observer, is often overlooked by the broader public and authorities.

Local authorities and landowners have responded to the situation, though their actions have been criticized for a lack of long-term solutions. A spokesman for Tower Hamlets Council acknowledged awareness of the Shoreditch encampment and stated that the council is working with the individuals sleeping rough there. The council expressed understanding of residents' concerns regarding the site and the wellbeing of the people living there, offering reassurance that support is being provided. Network Rail, which owns the land under the bridge, also recognized the community's concerns and stated its support for the council's engagement efforts. However, a local observer noted that the council does not appear to implement any lasting measures, highlighting a gap between short-term outreach and a permanent resolution to the homelessness crisis among these workers.

The situation underscores a complex intersection of the gig economy, migration, and the housing crisis in London. The ability for individuals to work for globally recognized brands while living in destitute conditions raises questions about the vetting processes of these companies and their responsibility towards their workforce. The use of borrowed accounts to circumvent registration requirements points to potential vulnerabilities in the employment system that may be exploited by those in desperate circumstances. The existence of these camps for years, with one near Euston station persisting for over three years, indicates a systemic failure to address the root causes of this issue, leaving a vulnerable population in a cycle of precarious work and homelessness, hidden in plain sight within one of the world's wealthiest cities.