aceUK government met 137 businesses over AI datacentres – but no environmental groups
The UK’s policy on datacentres and AI was developed without any meetings with environmental groups, an investigation has found. The nonprofit organisation Spotlight on Corruption said a “considerable revolving door” shaped the government’s development of “AI growth zones”, a central plank of the former prime minister Keir Starmer’s AI and economic policy, with 38 ministers, senior civil servants and special advisers hired to positions in AI companies between July 2024 and September 2026. Meanwhile, even as top o…
The UK's AI datacentre policy was shaped by 137 business meetings while senior officials met no environmental organisations and only two community groups, despite serious environmental implications.
Many business meetings may not have been disclosed, because the policy was led by a special adviser whose role faced less stringent transparency requirements.
Evidence
- JournalismThe Guardian2026-10-27
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Truvace Impact Record TRV-2026-2292, v1: “UK government met 137 businesses over AI datacentres – but no environmental groups.” Truvace, 2026-10-28. /record/TRV-2026-2292 (accessed at citation time). sha256 d2ea6e1924b4235e…
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