Labour ministers met Big Tech more than 200 times in two years

By DAVID CHURCHILL, CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 00:45, 24 August 2026 | Updated: 00:45, 24 August 2026 Labour was accused of being too close to Big Tech on Sunday night as it emerged ministers had more than 200 meetings with Silicon Valley firms in less than two years. Officials logged one meeting almost every two working days on average with just five companies – Google, Apple, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft. This was double the number of meetings of the full Cabinet, which usually convenes just once a week while Parliament is sitting. In total, there were 202 meetings with the five Big Tech companies or firms owned by them between July 2024, when Labour won the last election, and March this year. The official who racked up the most was Peter Kyle, who had 40 meetings involving the Silicon Valley giants – mostly between July 2024 and 2025 – in his then-capacity as technology and business secretary. According to official logs, among the gatherings he attended was a 'Q&A fireside chat to discuss the importance of diversity in tech landscape' hosted by Google, and a 'visit to Apple's HQ and showcase [of] their technology'. The meetings took place under former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, who held an 'informal engagement at No 10 prior to the International Investment Summit' for Big Tech bosses. While several of the meetings were listed as talks about investing in Britain, critics said the sheer number suggested ministers were going out of their way to cosy up to Big Tech at the expense of smaller UK businesses. The meetings took place under former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, who held an 'informal engagement at No 10 prior to the International Investment Summit' for Big Tech bosses They also pointed out that UK firms often struggle to catch the ear of ministers to the same extent and raised fresh concerns that they were pushing Big Tech's agenda. Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, set up by the father of teenager Molly, who took her own life after being bombarded by suicide content online, said: 'Keir Starmer operated an open-door policy for Big Tech firms but slammed the door shut for civil society groups and online safety campaigners.' A Government spokesman said: 'Engaging with tech companies is part and parcel of our work delivering growth in every postcode.'