High street vape shops and barbers in money laundering row
Panellists clash over government action on criminal cash allegedly funnelled through vape shops and barbers, with claims of up to £1bn a year.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A heated debate has broken out over the role of high street vape shops and Turkish barbers in money laundering, with claims that criminal gangs are funnelling up to £1bn a year through such businesses. The discussion, which aired on a GB News panel show, saw participants trade accusations over whether the government is doing enough to stop the flow of illicit cash.
One side argued that high streets have been transformed beyond recognition, with traditional shops replaced by vape stores, sweet shops, and nail bars. They pointed to the ease with which criminal entities can open a premises without needing to turn a profit, instead using it to launder money from drugs, cigarettes, or other crime. The claim was made that at least a billion pounds a year is being laundered in this way.
However, the debate also heard that the government has taken some initial steps. One panellist cited changes to planning laws aimed at restricting vape shops, along with new powers to extend closure orders. But these measures were dismissed as insufficient by the other side, who accused the government of being weak and failing to act. Calls were made for tougher deterrence, including the deportation of foreign nationals involved in such activities.
The conversation expanded into wider concerns about small businesses. It was noted that legitimate traders face high business rates, energy bills, and taxes, making it hard to compete with criminal operations that do not need to make a profit. The loss of local bakeries and groceries was highlighted, alongside the closure of pubs. There was some disagreement over Labour's record, with one speaker arguing that the government had made a start on business rates and planning, while another insisted that vape shops and barbers were still open and thriving.
The exchange also touched on broader economic pressures, including the impact of online shopping and large supermarkets on traditional high streets. Despite the political split, both sides agreed that the problem of money laundering through shops is serious and requires urgent action, though they differed on who is to blame and what should be done.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | GB News |
|---|---|
| The government is not doing enough to combat money laundering through high street shops. | |
| Up to £1 billion a year is laundered through vape shops, barbers, and similar businesses. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The channel hosted a combative debate between Lee Anderson and Lizzie Cundy, focusing on the alleged failure of the Labour government to tackle money laundering through high street shops. The tone was confrontational, with accusations of weakness and demands for tougher action, including deportation. It also linked the issue to broader problems facing small businesses, such as tax and business rates, and criticised the government's overall record.
- “at least a billion pound a year in this country has been funneled through some of these businesses”
- “this government is weak. This government doesn't know how.”
- “And so many other high streets are the same. And this government isn't doing anything about it.”
Broadcast Timeline
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