Uber has announced that it will be increasing its taxi fares in London to encourage more drivers to sign up to its taxi app. 

Taxi fares will increase by 10 percent from today with prices set to jump as much as 25 percent for peak journeys to and from Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton and Stansted airports.

The company last raised its prices in 2017 with today's increase seeing its minimum fare jump by 50p to £5.50.

"We’re making these changes to help provide a better rider experience, by signing up more drivers to meet the growing demand," according to an Uber spokesperson.

News Shopper: Uber app open a mobile. Credit: PAUber app open a mobile. Credit: PA

"We know people rely on Uber to book a safe trip around London and this small fare increase will help reduce wait times.

"As always riders will get a fare estimate before booking their journey.”

The recent lack of Uber drivers has also sparked an increase in cancelled trips and overall longer wait times for taxis.

Back in September, the company's drivers planned a 24-hour strike across major cities in the UK following alleged poor pay and conditions.

These protests included some of the app's busiest operation areas, including Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Nottingham and Sheffield.

Uber responded and insisted it was working with unions to raise the working standards for its drivers.

Currently, Uber received a cut of 25% of fares from drivers.

This was raised from 20% after a court ruled it should treat its 70,000 drivers as employees in March 2021.