Uberisation - what are the consequences?

TfL's decision on Friday that they would not renew Uber's licence to operate in London was a shock, although there has been a build-up of objections to Uber from a range of stakeholders.

Of course Uber intend to appeal within the 28 days that is allowed to them, which means that this is a story that will run on for a while. But at the moment, it gives a great opportunity as a lesson-starter, to ask students to identify the macroeconomic and microeconomic consequences they can see, and to consider whether any of those are unintended consequences that represent a risk of government failure. 

Two reports on the BBC website might help with those: 'What does London's Uber ban mean', and 'Uber London licence: direct anger at firm, says mayor'.