UK datacentre and AI policy was developed without meetings with environmental groups, investigation finds

Summary

An investigation by the nonprofit Spotlight on Corruption found that the UK government's policy on datacentres and AI was developed without any meetings with environmental groups. It said a "considerable revolving door" shaped the government's development of "AI growth zones", a central plank of former prime minister Keir Starmer's AI and economic policy, and that 38 ministers, senior civil servants and special advisers were hired into positions at AI companies between July 2024 and September 2026. The Register reported that businesses dominated government meetings while communities were left out of decisions about AI Growth Zones.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   27 Oct 2026, 07:00 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that an investigation by the nonprofit Spotlight on Corruption found the UK's datacentre and AI policy was developed without any meetings with environmental groups, and that 38 ministers, senior civil servants and special advisers moved into AI company roles between July 2024 and September 2026.

2. The Register

   27 Oct 2026, 11:00 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that an investigation found businesses dominated government meetings while communities were left out of decisions about AI Growth Zones.