# UK government met 137 businesses on AI datacentres but no environmental groups

> Original title: UK government met 137 businesses over AI datacentres – but no environmental groups

- Source: The Guardian · AI
- Published: 2026-10-27T07:00:04.000Z
- Bad Influence: https://badinfluence.news/items/lihr5ujs8norcarftkbml00my
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/oct/27/uk-government-environmental-groups-ai-datacentres-expansion-plans-investigation

## Summary

An investigation by Spotlight on Corruption found UK ministers, permanent secretaries and directors general met 137 businesses about datacentre policy between July 2024 and June 2026. Senior officials met two community groups and no environmental organisations while developing the AI growth zones policy. The group also reported that 38 ministers, senior civil servants and special advisers moved to AI companies between July 2024 and September 2026.