Would You like a feature Interview?
All Interviews are 100% FREE of Charge
Deliveroo has launched a charm offensive with Labour, as the party faced calls from its own MPs not to soften its pledge on workers’ rights.
The delivery giant engages with policymakers and MPs across the political spectrum, but has been stepping up its efforts with Sir Keir Starmer‘s party as the general election approaches.
Labour MPs, Deliveroo riders, and a union that represents them, told i they were concerned about the influence the delivery firm could have on the party as it prepares safeguards for gig economy workers’ rights, if it wins power at the next election.
Deliveroo has developed a growing presence at Labour conference and other party events, including co-sponsoring a drinks reception and hosting a glitzy regional gala dinner where London Mayor Sadiq Khan gave a speech. It joins rival firms Uber Eats and Just Eat as companies which have also taken part in the party’s events in recent years.
Corporate sponsorship is a well-established method of building links between the business community and policymakers, and Deliveroo has a long-standing relationship with the Conservatives too.
The growing links, far removed from when Jeremy Corbyn‘s Labour routinely attacked the gig economy, show a growing dialogue between the fast food industry and those shaping Labour policy.
Under Sir Keir, Labour has been courting big business to show voters and City high-flyers that the party can be trusted with running the economy ahead of the election. His shadow Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has made clear that making Britain a place to do business and boosting private sector investment is key to the party’s growth strategy.
However, the party has faced claims that Starmer’s promised package of workers’ rights could be watered down in the face of intense lobbying from businesses. It has been hailed by the party as a “New Deal for Working People”, including measures to reduce the exploitation of those on zero-hour contracts and people working in the gig economy.
Labour has firmly denied that its policies for workers’ rights will be watered down, saying it will strengthen the proposals.
Kim Johnson, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, told i that Labour should be careful of “cosying up to bad employers”.
She said: “The evidence of the growing engagement with and influence of companies such as Deliveroo is deeply concerning to many in the party and the movement.”
i understands that several other Labour MPs from across the party share her frustrations.
i understands Deliveroo supports and welcomes Labour’s proposal that “self-employed workers should have greater rights and protections while working”. There is no suggestion it has tried to influence Labour to tone down its deal for workers.
Deliveroo says its engagement with political parties is balanced and in line with many other businesses that also attend “fringe” events at party conferences.
The delivery giant has also attended the Conservative and Liberal Democrat party conferences.
The Conservative Party has a warm relationship with Deliveroo. Last summer, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride praised the company while on a visit to their London headquarters. He also plugged the selling points of the app, saying: “What we’re seeing here is the ability of log on and off anytime you like, no requirement to have to do a certain number of hours over a certain period of time, which is driving huge opportunities”.
Kevin Hollinrake, minister for business and trade, and Michael Tomlinson, minister for countering illegal migration, also recently met with Deliveroo to discuss ways to tighten the rules around the rental of delivery accounts to “substitute workers”.
Deliveroo’s couriers are self-employed contractors who accept jobs on its app to deliver fast food and groceries on an ad hoc basis. Riders have been striking for better pay and working conditions, with a recent i investigation revealing that not all riders are paid in line with the national minimum wage. This is despite repeated pledges from Deliveroo, although it is not a legal requirement for those who are self-employed.
Some workers have told i that they receive poor pay while working in difficult conditions, including one woman who described having to flee a building to escape a drunk customer and others who have had their vehicles stolen when out delivering food. The company has rolled out a number of safety features for riders and benefits including free childcare, as well as sickness and accident insurance.
Deliveroo first prominently appeared at the autumn Labour Party conference back in 2021, with the company’s then head of public affairs speaking on a panel about the state of British takeaway food.
At the party’s conference the following year, Deliveroo’s director of policy, Paul Bedford, attended a larger panel event, this time alongside Labour’s shadow work minister Alison McGovern. The event attracted criticism for listing a Deliveroo rider among the panellists, who turned out to be an “engagement manager” for the brand.
By 2023, Deliveroo had a bigger presence. The company featured on two panels and co-sponsored a regional drinks event at party conference, and also hosted a regional dinner gala in London in January that year.
At the autumn conference, Will Shu, the founder and CEO of Deliveroo, appeared at a talk alongside Liz Kendall, Labour’s shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, to discuss “distinguishing between good and bad work in the gig economy”.
A second conference panel, this time focussed on the high street, featured Joe Carberry, Deliveroo’s VP of communications and policy. He appeared alongside two party candidates for the next election, Julie Minns for Carlisle and Becky Gittins for Clwyd East.