Oral QuestionDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

“What steps his Department is taking to increase tree planting.”

Tabled: 25 January 2024Answered: 1 February 2024

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Answer from Hansard

The Prime Minister

I understand the concern that my hon. Friend is raising about data centres. I have to say to him that at this point, I will not go as far as a moratorium, but I agree that it is important that communities see the benefits of AI and data centre investment. I can say from experience that the data centre can be the magnet that clusters in other investment over time; that needs to be remembered. This Government have a policy that AI growth zones will allow local authorities to retain 100% of business rate growth, so that they can benefit communities.