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Theresa May has hit out at the “disproportionate” decision to strip Uber of its London licence – which she says has put thousands of jobs at risk.

The prime minister said lives will be damaged by Transport for London's decision, backed by mayor Sadiq Khan, to deny the firm a new operating licence.

The ride-hailing app is planning to appeal after its renewal application was rejected on the grounds of "public safety and security implications".

Mrs May told BBC London: "At a stroke of a pen, what the mayor has done is risked 40,000 jobs and of course... damaged the lives of those 3.5 million Uber users.

"Yes there are safety concerns and issues for Uber to address, but what I want to see is a level playing field between the private firms and our wonderful London taxis, our black cabs, our great national institution.

"I want to see a level playing field. I think a blanket ban is disproportionate."

She added: "What I think people want to see is choice."

Mr Khan has asked Transport for London (TfL) officials to "make themselves available" for talks after the boss of Uber apologised for "the mistakes we've made".

Dara Khosrowshahi, chief executive of the company, accepted that it had "got things wrong".

Mr Khan said: "I welcome the apology from Dara Khosrowshahi, the Uber CEO. Obviously I am pleased that he has acknowledged the issues that Uber faces in London.

"Even though there is a legal process in place, I have asked TfL to make themselves available to meet with him."

Mr Khosrowshahi took over at Uber last month after predecessor Travis Kalanick resigned following a series of scandals.

In a letter to the Standard, he wrote that Uber will challenge the licence decision "with the knowledge that we must also change".

He went on: "We won't be perfect, but we will listen to you; we will look to be long-term partners with the cities we serve; and we will run our business with humility, integrity and passion."

The issues raised by TfL include Uber's approach to reporting serious criminal offences, how drivers' medical certificates are obtained, how criminal record checks are carried out, and its use of technology which allegedly helps it to evade law enforcement.

More than 817,000 people have signed an online petition launched by Uber calling for the decision to be reversed.

TfL said it was concerned about Uber's approach to reporting serious criminal offences, how drivers' medical certificates are obtained, how criminal record checks are carried out and its use of technology which allegedly helps it to evade law enforcement.

Uber enables users to book cars using their smartphones and is available in more than 40 towns and cities across the UK.

Some 3.5 million passengers and 40,000 drivers use the app in London.

A spokesman for the mayor said: "Sadiq has every sympathy with customers and drivers of Uber, but is clear that any anger must be directed at Uber itself.

"Regulation is there for a reason and it would have been wrong for TfL to have renewed Uber's licence if they had concerns about Uber being a fit and proper operator.

"All companies must play by the rules and adhere to the high standards we expect - particularly when it comes to the safety of customers.

"London deserves the best taxi and private hire services available and Sadiq is determined to ensure the capital has a vibrant market, with space for all providers to flourish."