UK datacentres to create 10,400 jobs, far below industry estimate

A new study by environmental think‑tank Verdant indicates that the United Kingdom’s upcoming data‑centre projects will generate far fewer jobs than industry forecasts suggest, while also imposing a substantial demand for electricity. The research contrasts Verdant’s estimate of roughly 10,400 direct positions with the more than 40,000 jobs projected by the sector lobby group TechUK, highlighting a significant disparity between expected employment benefits and the sector’s own claims.

Verdant’s analysis further notes that the planned facilities will consume a considerable amount of energy, raising questions about their overall sustainability and economic impact. The findings suggest that policymakers and investors may need to reassess the balance between the anticipated digital infrastructure expansion and its real‑world labour and environmental costs.