UK met 137 businesses on AI datacentres but no environmental groups

An investigation by Spotlight on Corruption found the UK government developed its AI datacentre policy after meeting 137 businesses, two community groups and no environmental organisations. Between July 2024 and September 2026, 38 ministers, civil servants and advisers left for AI companies including OpenAI and Anthropic.

• 40 freedom of information requests sent to 18 agencies over 12 months
• 38 officials moved to AI firms, nine of them from DSIT
• Civil society meetings held days before policy launch
• Policy covers five regions slated for large datacentres