Labour has been accused of being too close to Big Tech after it emerged that ministers held more than 200 meetings with five Silicon Valley firms in less than two years. Officials met representatives from Google, Apple, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft roughly once every two working days, more than double the frequency of full Cabinet meetings, prompting criticism that smaller UK businesses struggle to secure similar access to government while these companies' interests were being prioritised.

Between July 2024, when Labour took office, and March this year, 202 meetings took place with the five firms or their subsidiaries. Peter Kyle, then technology and business secretary, held the most at 40, including a Google-hosted diversity discussion and a showcase visit to Apple's headquarters. The meetings occurred under former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, who also hosted an informal No 10 gathering for Big Tech executives ahead of an investment summit. Andy Burrows of the Molly Rose Foundation criticised what he called an "open-door policy" for tech firms while campaigners and civil society groups struggled for access, though a government spokesman said such engagement was essential for delivering growth.