A report released on October 27 by the anti-corruption watchdog Spotlight on Corruption, based on 40 information disclosure requests submitted to 18 government agencies, investigated the UK's AI growth zone policy-making process from July 2024 to June 2026. The report stated that the government contacted 137 companies regarding data center policy, and 84% of ministerial stakeholder meetings involved companies or industry associations. Senior officials met with only two community groups, both after the designated areas were designated as AI growth zones, and did not meet with environmental organizations. Prior to designation, only one meeting was held with local government. The report also noted that between July 2024 and September 2026, 38 ministers, senior civil servants, or special advisors subsequently joined AI companies. The organization concluded that community input and environmental risks were not adequately considered during the policy-making phase. The UK government responded that data centers should create jobs, strengthen supply chains, prioritize clean energy use, and ensure responsible water use, and that local planning processes would also consider community interests.
