Caudwell in Treasury talks over jobs drive

BILLIONAIRE Phones4U founder John Caudwell is to discuss his proposals to reboot the economy with the Treasury.

The tycoon has outlined plans for a huge investment drive – and says Ministers want to know more.

His Caudwell Pandemic Recovery plan calls for vastly more apprenticeships to get young people back into work and the creation of a ‘renewable energy city’ to boost industry.

He also wants more spending on infrastructure and initiatives to attract foreign investment.

Caudwell, worth an estimated £1.5 billion, said Boris Johnson is lending his support, adding ‘He’s putting me in touch with the Treasury to discuss how much of this is affordable.

‘The alternative is not affordable – we cannot suffer the consequences of this economic crisis and climb our way out by austerity. If we do it that way, we will be no better than we are today.’

Johnson also put Caudwell in touch with his skills adviser Baroness Alison Wolf and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, who is working on using green projects for regeneration.

Brexiteer Caudwell has paid more than £300 million in UK taxes and claims he has sway with the Government.

He cites a half- hour phone call with Chancellor Rishi Sun a kin which Caudwell lobbied for 100 per cent loan guarantees for small firms. An announcement on the policy followed days later, he claims.