The UK government has made clear that corporate lobbyists and their clients will play a central role in its economic agenda, with a treasury minister describing them as a “huge and important part” of government plans to boost growth by removing regulatory barriers.
Business-led growth
In an online event attended by hundreds of lobbyists, Lord Livermore, the financial secretary to the Treasury, stated that “growth comes from business, not the government.” This statement underscores the government’s position that the private sector, rather than state intervention, will drive economic expansion. The event, part of a series of discussions on economic growth, brought together representatives from various industries, including banking, energy, pharmaceuticals, and defence, as well as lobbying firms such as Hanbury, Headland, and Brunswick.
Livermore emphasised that ministers are keen to utilise the “expertise” within these organisations, noting that the government is committed to eliminating “stifling regulation that has for too long held business back.” He highlighted the importance of working “in partnership with business” to identify and remove barriers to investment.
Deregulation and public-private investment
One of the key topics discussed was the government’s commitment to deregulation, particularly in the planning sector. Livermore pointed to recent leadership changes at the Competition and Markets Authority as evidence of a shift towards a more business-friendly regulatory approach.
The minister also elaborated on the role of Great British Energy in reducing investment risks for private sector companies. He explained that public-private partnerships would be encouraged through the National Wealth Fund, which aims to make high-risk investments, particularly in renewable energy, more attractive to investors.
“We can use the National Wealth Fund to help derisk some of those investments,” he said, reinforcing the government’s approach to leveraging state resources to improve private sector returns.
Critics speak out
The event has drawn criticism from opposition parties and campaigners, who argue that the government’s increasing reliance on corporate lobbyists signals a lack of independent policymaking.
Green Party deputy leader Zack Polanski told openDemocracy: “With inequality rife, the government should be listening to the people who keep our country running and those suffering, not hosting desperate mass Zoom calls with arms dealers and oil giants.”
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Polanski also criticised the government’s strategy of reducing regulation, warning that it risks prioritising corporate profits over public safety. “Regulation exists for a reason,” he said, referencing the Grenfell Tower fire as a stark reminder of the consequences of weakened standards. “This isn’t growth for the many, just more wealth for the super-rich while the rest of us are told to look up at their private jets and wait for the trickle-down.”
Lobbyists’ influence in government
The call was part of a broader initiative led by James Carroll, who heads a new partnerships team in Downing Street focused on strengthening ties with business. Carroll reassured attendees that the government is eager to develop its relationship with corporate interests, stating: “Your clients [and] your expertise is critical to delivering these ambitious national missions.”
One lobbyist raised concerns about business criticism of the government’s economic policies, asking how firms could help present a more positive narrative. Carroll responded with a lighthearted remark: “I promise I haven’t planted that question.”
The government’s approach signals a clear shift towards a more business-led economic strategy, but critics warn that prioritising corporate interests over regulatory safeguards could have significant consequences for public welfare.
