Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase the number of data centres to ensure that the UK does not fall behind in its AI strategy.

In addition to securing recent investment in data centres, including a £10 billion investment in the North East of England, a £3.75 billion investment in Hertfordshire and £8 billion investment across the UK from Amazon Web Services, this government is ambitious in its approach to securing the data centre capacity needed to support the digital economy and its AI strategy. DSIT Secretary of State has asked entrepreneur Matt Clifford to create an AI Opportunities Action Plan, which will include recommendations for how to encourage further investment in AI infrastructure.

The government is already taking action to address obstacles to this investment. In the recent consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework, the government has proposed changes to planning policy that would facilitate growth in UK data centre capacity. This is supplemented by work to reform the National Grid connections process, making it easier for data centres to secure a timely grid connection. We continue to closely engage with relevant investors and operators and will take further action where necessary to enable the data centre investment that will underlie our AI strategy and wider economic growth.