UK government held 137 meetings with businesses on data centres

An investigation found that UK officials met 137 businesses while developing data-centre policy, but held no meetings with environmental organisations; it also counted 38 officials moving to AI-sector jobs.

• Spotlight on Corruption said ministers, permanent secretaries and directors general met 137 businesses on data-centre policy, but only two community groups and no environmental organisations.· 2 sources
• The investigation covered policy-making on AI growth zones from July 2024 to June 2026 and was based on 40 freedom-of-information requests to 18 government bodies.· 2 sources
• Spotlight on Corruption counted 38 ministers, senior civil servants and special advisers taking jobs in AI-sector companies from July 2024 to September 2026; nine were from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.· 2 sources