Report: UK ministers met 137 firms on AI datacentres, no green groups

What the investigation found

The UK's policy on AI datacentres was developed without any meetings with environmental groups, according to an investigation by the nonprofit Spotlight on Corruption, reported by the Guardian ^[1]. The group said ministers, permanent secretaries and directors general involved in developing the policy met 137 businesses, some several times, to discuss datacentre policy. By contrast, senior officials met only two community groups and no environmental organisations ^[1].

The findings are based on 40 freedom of information requests filed over 12 months to 18 government agencies, covering meetings and investment figures between July 2024 and June 2026 ^[1].

AI growth zones and the revolving door

"AI growth zones" were a central plank of former prime minister Keir Starmer's AI and economic policy, under which the government promised to "turbocharge the economy" and create jobs by building large datacentres across five regions ^[1]. Spotlight on Corruption said a "considerable revolving door" shaped the policy, with 38 ministers, senior civil servants and special advisers hired into AI companies between July 2024 and September 2026 ^[1]. Nine came from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, including a former minister for AI and intellectual property and a former AI adviser to the prime minister ^[1].

Kamila Kingstone, a campaign lead at the NGO, said the government "totally failed at the most senior level to speak to environmental NGOs or community groups" when developing the policy ^[1]. The report said the few meetings held with civil society groups took place days before launch, so they had no meaningful input ^[1]. It also said many meetings between businesses and the administration would not have been disclosed, partly because policy was led by a special adviser, Jade Leung, whose role faced less stringent transparency requirements ^[1].

International comparison and backlash

The group also looked at Canada, Germany and Australia, and found they consulted far more widely and had more stringent environmental criteria. It said the UK had "fallen behind equivalent jurisdictions" ^[1]. The Guardian noted growing opposition to datacentres in Britain, with protests from Auchtertool near Edinburgh to Brick Lane in east London. Labour MP Chi Onwurah said the backlash was a warning that the government needed to seek greater community input ^[1].

The government's response

A government spokesperson said datacentres should create British jobs, strengthen supply chains and deliver benefits for host communities while prioritising clean power and using water responsibly. The spokesperson said: "We want to work closely with industry, local authorities, environmental groups and communities, and welcome opportunities to hear their views." ^[1] They added that community benefits are mostly considered through local planning processes, and that authorities hosting AI growth zones in England will be able to keep all the additional business rates generated ^[1].

Why it matters for business

For companies planning to build, rent or depend on AI capacity in the UK, the report points to a possible risk: policy made mostly with industry input may meet more resistance later, through local planning fights and campaigns ^[1]. The Guardian said its own investigations have questioned the policy's job projections and power plans ^[1]. These are findings from one campaign group and one newspaper, and the government has not accepted the criticism. Anyone budgeting for UK datacentre capacity may want to watch how consultation changes.

Source: The Guardian — UK government met 137 businesses over AI datacentres – but no environmental groups