Minister accused over surge in meetings with US big tech firms

A senior cabinet minister has been accused of being too close to big tech after analysis showed a surge in his department's meetings with firms such as Google, Amazon, Apple and Meta since Labour came to power.

- Kiran Stacey Dan Milmo

According to Guardian analysis of publicly available data, Peter Kyle met people close to or representing the sector 28 times in a six-month period. That was more than one meeting every week on average, and nearly 70% more often than his predecessor as science and technology secretary, Michelle Donelan.

The findings have brought renewed criticism from those who believe Kyle has used his position to push the sector's agenda even in the face of concerns about online safety and protections for the creative industries.

UKAI, a trade body representing the UK's artificial intelligence industry, said smaller players were being squeezed out as a consequence of the government's focus on big tech.

"Our concern is that there is a huge imbalance between a handful of global players who are able to influence directly what No 10 is thinking about on policy, and the thousands of other businesses that make up the AI industry across the UK," said Tim Flagg, the UKAI chief executive.

"Our voice is not being heard but the economic growth that the government seeks will come from these companies."

Labour has put the technology sector at the heart of much of what it is promising to do in government. Keir Starmer said in a speech earlier this year that artificial intelligence could "turbocharge growth", and the prime minister is now pursuing a tech-focused trade deal with the US, having last week agreed a range of tariff reductions.

Kyle has been at the centre of the government's outreach to the sector, calling those who work in it "the bold people building a new future for Britain".