UK government met 137 businesses over AI datacentres – but no environmental groups

The UK's policy on datacentres and artificial intelligence was developed without any meetings with environmental groups, an investigation by Spotlight on Corruption has found. The nonprofit organization discovered a 'considerable revolving door' that shaped the government's development of 'AI growth zones,' a central element of former prime minister Keir Starmer's AI and economic policy.

Between July 2024 and September 2026, 38 ministers, senior civil servants and special advisers were hired to positions in AI companies. Meanwhile, government departments largely failed to engage meaningfully with stakeholders outside the technology industry, despite the significant environmental implications of the datacentre expansion plans.

Exclusive business access

Over 12 months, Spotlight on Corruption filed 40 freedom of information requests to 18 government agencies, seeking details of meetings and investment figures relating to the growth zones policy. The investigation revealed that ministers, permanent secretaries and directors general met 137 businesses – some on multiple occasions – to discuss Britain's datacentre policy.

By contrast, senior officials met only two community groups and no environmental organizations. Of the 38 senior officials who left government for AI industry positions, nine were from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, which has played a central role in shaping Britain's AI strategy.

Environmental concerns

The AI growth zones policy aimed to build massive datacentres across five regions, with developments often partnered with US tech companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. These projects were supposed to bring thousands of jobs, but investigations have questioned the policy's foundations, including unverified financial figures and exaggerated job creation projections.

Particular concern surrounds the power requirements for these developments. Different government departments appear to diverge on how much electricity the UK's datacentre plans will actually require and what their environmental cost will be. Campaign groups have protested against planned developments in locations ranging from rural Scotland to east London.

Policy transparency issues

The investigation found that while the government met a handful of civil society groups, these meetings occurred only a few days before the policy launch, meaning they had no meaningful input. Many further meetings between businesses and the administration would not have been disclosed, as the policy was led by special adviser Jade Leung, whose role was subject to less stringent transparency requirements.

Spotlight on Corruption also compared the UK's approach with other countries, including Canada, Germany and Australia. It found these nations consulted far more widely on introducing datacentres and had more stringent environmental criteria, concluding that the UK had 'fallen behind equivalent jurisdictions' in developing an equitable strategy.

A government spokesperson responded by stating that datacentres should create British jobs, strengthen supply chains and deliver benefits for host communities while prioritizing clean power. They emphasized working closely with industry, local authorities, environmental groups and communities, and noted that community benefits are considered through local planning processes.