Andy Burnham government issues response to calls to ban new AI data centres

The government has been urged to implement a ban

Andy Burnham’s Labour government have responded to calls to ban the construction of new AI data centres in the UK.

More than 12,000 people have signed a petition urging the government to introduce a ban in order to protect ‘people, wildlife, water and the environment.’

The petition, submitted on the official Parliament website, reads: “We call on the Government to implement an immediate ban on the construction of any new AI data centres, including approved ones, to protect our people, wildlife, water resources, and environment from the significant and growing impacts of these centres.

“We believe their vast demand for water and electricity, contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and continuous industrial noise place an unacceptable burden on communities, wildlife and finite natural resources.

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“We are concerned that expanding this infrastructure risks undermining the UK’s legally binding net zero commitments. The Government should act in the public’s interest by implementing this ban and preventing any avoidable environmental harm before it occurs.”

The petition has been signed by 12,227 people, and it has reached 10,000 signatures; the government must respond. If it reaches 100,000 it must then be debated in Parliament.

Responding to the petition, a spokesperson from the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade said the government has no plans to ban the construction of AI data centres.

The full response reads: “The government seeks to support sustainable data centre growth while ensuring environmental and community impacts are considered through individual planning decisions, rather than introducing a ban”

It adds: “The government has no plans to ban the construction of AI data centres. The UK must control its technological future, not become dependent on overseas infrastructure to process sensitive data, support critical public services and power the technologies on which our future prosperity and security will depend.

“The government supports the responsible growth of the data centre sector on the right terms. We will support data centres that are built for Britain and deliver benefits for communities, consumers and the environment. We will not support development at any cost.”

The statement continues: “Data centres are vital to the UK’s digital economy. They underpin the digital services that people rely on every day, including public services, healthcare and the way people work.

“They also provide the infrastructure needed to develop and use AI. As AI is adopted more widely across the economy, demand for data centre infrastructure is expected to increase. Building more capacity in the UK will support economic growth and innovation, while strengthening national resilience and ensuring the UK is well placed to realise the opportunities presented by AI.”

It comes days after Chancellor John Healey said he is ready to back more data centres in Britain to house sensitive information.

The Chancellor told The Times that there are signs AI has the potential to “lift Britain further, as long as we find the way that avoids the rerun of the data centres debate in the States”.

In last month’s Budget, he announced a new British data centre covenant with strict tests that data centres must meet.

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It means the owners of data centres in the UK must invest in local communities, create local jobs and protect local water supplies, in return for getting grid connections and being allowed to build onsite generation while they wait.

Mr Healey told The Times: “I want to avoid the free-for-all on AI and data centres we’ve seen in the States.

“So where NHS health data is used with AI, I want that data in Britain, not in data centres abroad.

“Where AI is used for our security, I want that data in Britain, for Britain, not abroad.

“To do that, we have to develop more data centres.

“I’m ready to back them if they provide the community benefits and can help build public trust.”