Cash For Access to Labour Ministers Exposed

In June the GMB union produced a report that showed how 20 special advisors to New Labour have gone on to "very well paid jobs" that looked to have some connection with their former role in government. One section of the report highlights left wing think-tank, the Institute of Public Policy Research, under the title of 'The Policy Persuaders':

"These are former advisers who now occupy influential positions in policy ‘thinktanks’ that are used by Government to explore policy options. In some cases, particularly IPPR (Institute of Public Policy Research) there has been a sort of revolving door, where ex-staff are recruited as Special Advisors, and ex-Advisers are recruited as staff.”

The Sunday Times appears to have followed up the GMB report and have now exposed the extraordinary sums of money involved in return for access to government ministers.

A journalist posing as a consultant to a fictitious Japanese firm has learnt from a senior executive with the IPPR that, "the most expensive was to 'support' a research project, costing up to £150,000. In return, Bowman said representatives from the company would be invited to 'private seminars' that key government advisers and civil servants would attend “around a table together”.

Very cosy.

And the cost of finding out "the inside track on policy development" from key government figures? An annual fee of a mere £10,000. Well, at least £10,000. It could be more. It certainly won’t be less. Plus VAT? No idea. Ask the lads at the IPPR.

And while you’re at it, ask them who Gordon’s new boyfriend is.