Latest news with #LordCameron
Telegraph
09-08-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
‘Ludicrous' to blame gig economy for mass migration, insists Lord Cameron
Lord Cameron has hit out at 'ludicrous' claims that he contributed to the small boats crisis by embracing a wave of loosely-regulated gig economy apps. The former prime minister denied that his backing for the expansion of firms such as Uber and Deliveroo helped create a thriving black market for jobs. His comments come amid revelations that asylum seekers are making money illegally as couriers and food delivery drivers in the so-called gig economy of lightly regulated part-time work. Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, has vowed to crack down on the practice, warning it 'undermines honest business and undercuts local wages'. Lord Cameron's government pledged to become a global centre for tech companies involved in the gig economy 11 years ago, courting some of the biggest players. Lee Anderson, the Reform UK MP, suggested the Coalition's stance had allowed illegal migrants 'to roam the streets on e-bikes and make a living'. A spokesman for the former prime minister denied the claims, insisting Lord Cameron was 'proud' of having brought investment into the UK. He said: 'Lord Cameron remains incredibly proud of everything he and the governments he led did to ensure the UK established itself as a truly successful global tech hub – attracting global businesses, creating jobs, and boosting economic growth. 'To link this success story to the legitimate issues of illegal immigration is ludicrous. 'Indeed, it's a legacy we should be proud of and successive governments should build on, as we seek to ensure the UK remains an attractive place to do business; attract talent and innovation; and secure our place as a global centre for tech and entrepreneurialism.' The Coalition government, which was led by Lord Cameron, commissioned a review into what was then called the 'sharing economy' in 2015. It had the aim of making Britain the 'global centre' of the new wave of services such as Uber and Deliveroo, and lifting regulations on the sector. But the delivery apps have become controversial, with accusations they are attracting illegal migrant labour. Their delivery drivers are classed as self-employed workers, rather than employees, which has meant they have been subject to fewer checks. There have also been issues around the use of 'substitute' drivers – where people who are legitimately in the UK own a delivery account with one of the companies but then subcontract it out to illegal workers for a fee. The Home Office has announced plans to tighten up the system, forcing delivery firms to carry out more illegal working checks on riders working for them. On Friday, ministers announced that hundreds of delivery drivers had been arrested in a single week last month as part of a new crackdown on illegal migrants. A total of 1,780 people were intercepted at locations across Britain for suspected illegal working activity between July 20 and 27. The Home Office said 280 people were detained in areas including Hillingdon in north-west London, Dumfries in Scotland, and Birmingham. Of these, 53 are now having their asylum support reviewed, which could lead to it being withdrawn, the Government said. The findings follow a Telegraph investigation that revealed asylum seekers housed in Home Office hotels were paying off debts to people smugglers by illegally working as bike couriers. The Telegraph found that migrants were making up to £500 a week by working for delivery services such as Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats, even though many of them were banned from working because of their immigration status. Illegal work carried out by asylum seekers has become a political flashpoint amid growing public anger over the failure to stop small boat crossings. The Tories and Reform have criticised Labour for having a soft touch approach, with the number of illegal arrivals on course to break records. More than 25,000 people had crossed the Channel by the end of June, the earliest in the year at which that figure has been reached. Lee Anderson, the Reform chief whip, said: 'Labour and the Tories have completely lost control of the asylum system and taxpaying Britons are footing the bill. 'Not only are these unidentified fighting-age males being welcomed and housed in luxurious hotels, they are also able to roam the streets on e-bikes and make a living. 'The fact that this is being allowed to happen without a serious crackdown is appalling'.
Times
07-08-2025
- Business
- Times
Keir Starmer must let in sunlight to avoid further lobbying scandals
Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton long ago predicted that lobbying would be 'the next big scandal' to hit politics, warning of the dangers of what happens behind closed doors. 'We all know how it works. The lunches, the hospitality, the quiet word in your ear, the ex-ministers and ex-advisers for hire, helping big business find the right way to get its way,' he said in 2010. It was somewhat apt that despite introducing the first real oversight for lobbyists, the former prime minister was caught in just such a scandal after he departed from office. Despite a repeated cycle of scandals involving what Lord Cameron spoke of, lobbyists have continued to work in the shadows. As this newspaper has exposed, the Starmer government is facing serious questions over 'cash for access' after businesses were approached by a Labour group offering private meetings with 'an influential Labour figure'. The Labour Infrastructure Forum (LIF), which is run by lobbyists from Bradshaw Advisory along with an advisory council of senior party figures, has offered businesses the chance to meet 'key policymakers' to help 'shape the discussion'. The forum has offered sponsorship packages for potential clients, including breakfast meetings for almost £9,500. Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the Treasury, has spoken at an LIF event. • Labour 'leaving public in the dark' about payments from lobbyists Although the LIF insists that the sponsorship money is used to cover costs, the group declined a request by The Times to disclose details of which companies had sponsored events at what cost until its next annual report. The Labour Party too has declined to say which senior figures had attended any LIF meetings. Yet undercover reporting has shown Gerry McFall, director of the forum alongside his leading role at Bradshaw Advisory, boasted of meetings between his clients and senior figures in government, including Jonathan Reynolds, the business secretary. There is a clear problem here that must be addressed. The Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists, which was set up during Lord Cameron's premiership, governs lobbying and is supposed to ensure it is transparent and open. Businesses who regularly engage in lobbying, known as 'consultant lobbyists', are required to register their activities. Yet the LIF was not required to register as it did not fall under this category: in-house lobbyists who are employed directly by companies, think tanks or 'forums' are not required to register. This must be addressed: all lobbying activity should be recorded, along with the details of who exactly is meeting which ministers. That being said, ministers should show more common sense. Mr Jones should have done due diligence before speaking at an LIF event. The same goes for Mr Reynolds, the minister most exposed to the potential influence of businesses. The lack of records charting his meeting with a Bradshaw Advisory client at a Labour conference highlights another flaw in transparency rules, which does not require ministers to report meetings at such events not deemed to be in a ministerial capacity. Even if the party insists it was instead 'held in a political capacity', Mr Reynolds should have realised that he should strive for transparency. • How we exposed Labour's cosy links to lobbyists None of this is to say that all lobbying is inherently bad, or that onerous restrictions are required. It is essential to good policy making that ministers hear from businesses — particularly a government that has as little private sector experience as this one. But it must be done in an open and transparent manner, something lacking at present. According to an analysis by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, registered Westminster lobbyists account for just 0.5 per cent of registered lobbyists across a host of similar countries. If Sir Keir Starmer is to avoid further such scandals, he must strengthen the oversight. By letting in as much sunlight as possible, it will go some way to curtail any sense of wrongdoing, real or perceived.
Telegraph
01-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
King's stationery supplier Smythson bought by Cameron ally after years of losses
Smythson, the stationery supplier to the Royal family, has been sold to an investment fund founded by an ally of Lord Cameron following years of losses. The 138-year-old group, which once employed Lord Cameron's wife, Samantha, as creative director, has been acquired by Oakley Capital, a private equity firm founded by entrepreneur Peter Dubens. The sale comes after years of losses during which Smythson was forced to grapple with declining consumer confidence and soaring costs, leading to a string of shop closures. The company holds a Royal warrant to supply stationery and office supplies to the King and Queen having been granted its first warrant by the late Queen in 1964. Its ties to the Royal family date back to the 1890s when the group was commissioned to produce stationery for Queen Victoria and it also held a Royal warrant from the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Mr Dubens is a former Tory donor and ally of the former prime minister, who has given tens of thousands of pounds to the Conservatives over the last two decades. Mr Dubens reportedly bid £20,000 for a tennis match with Lord Cameron when he was leader of the opposition, and in 2015 made Lord Cameron an honorary member of Mark's Club, the members' club he co-owns with billionaire restaurateur Richard Caring. Founded in 1887 by Frank Smythson, Smythson started life as a producer of stationery before beginning to make handbags in the 1900s. It has also counted Sir Winston Churchill and Grace Kelly as customers. Mrs Cameron worked for the company for 13 years, starting her career as a window dresser and working her way to become creative director. When Lord Cameron became prime minister in 2010, she moved to become a consultant. Smythson was previously owned by the Italian handbag maker Tivoli, which bought it in 2009 in a deal said to be worth around £18m. Smythson posted a £6.7m pre-tax loss over the year to April 2024, slightly narrowing from a loss of £8m the prior year. However, revenues fell from £32.1m to £28.5m. Luxury struggles In its most recent accounts, the company said: 'Demand in the luxury retail sector remains uncertain, subject to global and local economic conditions resulting from the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, ongoing impact from Ukrainian war and recent increase in interest rates and cost of living.' Britain's luxury brands were also dealt a blow when Rishi Sunak's government decided to axe VAT-free shopping for tourists in 2021. Bosses have argued that the removal of this perk has made London a less attractive location for wealthy travellers to come and shop. Smythson has closed a handful of stores in recent years including its New Bond Street flagship in a bid to streamline the company and make its operations more profitable. Mr Dubens said: 'Heritage brands cannot be created overnight: it can take decades or longer to build a loyal customer base through the application of high-quality craftsmanship, product innovation and marketing excellence. 'We are lucky to be able to welcome Smythson to Oakley.'
