UK government met 137 businesses over AI datacentres – but no environmental groups
The gist
UK ministers met 137 businesses on AI datacentres but no environmental groups, a watchdog found.
The report questions who gets a say in where power-hungry AI sites are built.
How it unfolded
- Jul 2024 to Jun 2026Ministers, permanent secretaries and directors general met 137 businesses, some more than once, while senior officials met only two community groups and no environmental organisations.
- Jan 2025The government's Sustainability Working Group was established; it met only once in the 17 months to July 2026 and has no environmental groups on it.
- Jul 2024 to Jun 202684% of ministerial stakeholder meetings on data centres were with businesses or private-sector trade associations; the two community groups met by ministers were both seen after their areas had already been designated AI Growth Zones.