Gig economy stories

Gumtree introduces verified badges and stricter checks for business sellers in the UK, aiming to boost user trust and deter fraud.

EarnIn says US workers have made over 1m Live Pay transactions since July 2025, underscoring rising demand for real-time access to wages.

Gym booking app SPORTL launches in London after GBP £250,000 pre-seed, offering pay-as-you-train access at 50 studios with no memberships.

Employers plan to cut junior hiring as AI expands, leaving most staff feeling unprepared for rapid shifts in work and skills demand.

London's Sessions hits 5m delivery orders as its 400-plus virtual kitchens offer embattled independent restaurants a lower-cost growth route.

Digital marketplaces are empowering UK women to turn side hustles into scalable brands, bypassing traditional funding bottlenecks.

On-demand laundry platform Laundryheap has expanded into Colombia, Mexico, Malaysia and Scotland, as it accelerates its global rollout.

UK restaurants plan fresh tech investment for 2026, betting most heavily on online ordering and delivery ahead of AI and smart kitchens.

Monzo launches a free in-app tax tool for sole traders and landlords as Making Tax Digital rules tighten ahead of phased rollout from 2026.

Families are turning to digital live‑in care platforms as more older people miss out on council-arranged support, especially in rural areas.

Sapia.ai debuts Phai, an AI chat coach designed to help workers rethink careers, build confidence and navigate changing job markets.

Doorly secures GBP £600,000 to accelerate its shift from barber-booking app to nationwide on-demand home services marketplace.

GoCab secures USD $45m in equity and debt to expand gig driver vehicle financing and electric mobility across Africa and emerging markets.

TerraPay partners with MilX to speed cross-border payouts, giving YouTube creators faster local-currency access to earnings in 70+ markets.

Delivery Hero uses Twilio automated voice calls to cut rider contact by 25%, slash escalations over 60% and lift last-mile answer rates.

Language learning platform Preply secures $150 million to boost AI tools and global growth, valuing the business at $1.2 billion.

Gen Z 'lily padding' is pushing UK employers to ditch rigid promotion ladders and design flexible, personalised career paths to retain staff.

Gig work platform Traxlo launches in the UK, offering grocery retailers pay-per-task staffing to tackle labour gaps and rising costs.

Traxlo launches its pay-per-task gig labour platform in the UK, targeting grocery chains with task fees from GBP £3 to GBP £50.

Money has overtaken health, time and relationships as the main driver of life satisfaction in the UK, new research from Intuit shows.