The UK government held 137 meetings with businesses to develop its AI datacentre policy but failed to meet with any environmental groups, according to an investigation by Spotlight on Corruption. The nonprofit organisation examined the development of AI growth zones, a centrepiece of the former prime minister Keir Starmer's economic strategy, between July 2024 and June 2026. Over that period, senior officials met only two community groups and no environmental organisations, despite the substantial environmental implications of the plans.
The investigation revealed what Spotlight on Corruption described as a "considerable revolving door" between government and the technology industry. Thirty-eight ministers, senior civil servants and special advisers moved into positions at AI companies between July 2024 and September 2026. Nine of these came from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, which played a central role in developing Britain's AI strategy. These included a former minister for AI and intellectual property, a former AI adviser to the prime minister and a former director of AI opportunities.
Kamila Kingstone, a campaign lead at Spotlight on Corruption, said the government had "totally failed at the most senior level to speak to environmental NGOs or community groups when developing its flagship policy on AI datacentres". The investigation, based on 40 freedom of information requests to 18 government agencies, found that meetings with civil society groups were "held a few days before the launch of the policy, meaning they had no meaningful input". The organisation also found that many further business meetings would not have been disclosed, largely because the policy was led by a special adviser subject to less stringent transparency requirements.
AI growth zones represent a government plan to build massive datacentres across five regions, with the stated aim of creating jobs and delivering economic growth. The policy aims to pave the way for developments larger than any datacentre previously built in the UK, often partnered with US technology companies. However, the investigation noted that previous reporting has questioned the policy's foundations, including its assumptions, financial figures and job creation projections, as well as unclear plans for powering the developments with renewable energy.
Growing opposition to datacentres has emerged across Britain, with campaign groups protesting against planned developments from rural Scotland to east London. Chi Onwurah, the MP for Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West, warned that the government needed to seek greater community input, noting the backlash in the US and its influence on political debates. Spotlight on Corruption also compared the UK approach with Canada, Germany and Australia, finding those countries consulted far more widely and had more stringent environmental criteria, suggesting the UK had "fallen behind equivalent jurisdictions".
A government spokesperson said the administration was "clear that datacentres should create British jobs, strengthen supply chains and deliver benefits for the communities that host them, while prioritising clean power and using water responsibly". The spokesperson added that the government wanted to "work closely with industry, local authorities, environmental groups and communities". For most proposed developments, community benefits are considered through local planning processes, and the government has announced measures allowing local authorities hosting datacentres in AI growth zones in England to retain all additional business rates generated.