Data centres have been designated Critical National Infrastructure by the UK government, placing them alongside energy and water. In this whitepaper, we explore the changes in government policy, the increased visibility and the opportunities for growth, as well as the dangers of misinformation to the future of the UK as a leader in AI globally.
Fill in the form to download the critical explainer on how we need to work together to deliver leadership for the UK in AI.
This document is designed for key stakeholders in industry, government and media to help them better understand how UK AI leadership depends on regulatory as well as private sector innovation – and how we should be responding to the challenge.
Since late-2024, parliamentary attention and media scrutiny have surged. The UK is scaling sovereign compute and setting a 6 GW by 2030 ambition. Success now hinges on data-led engagement: prioritising brownfield land, coordinating planning and energy, and investing in local skills so communities see the benefits first-hand.
If your application is successful, Harlow Council will transfer the grant by BACS. Bank details (account name, number and sort code) will need to be supplied with a summary of accounts.
Funding conditions: If your application is successful, your project must be delivered by 31 December 2026. You will have to return any grant funds if the project is not delivered or the organisation receiving the funding stops operating.
A contract agreement will need to be signed between your organisation and Harlow District Council before any funding is granted.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Grant recipients will be required to provide an end of project report to establish whether the project has met its aims and objectives, as well as to assess the overall impact on participants. Funding for the project is provided on the basis that the Project Evaluation form is returned within the agreed project timescale (no later than 31 January 2027).
Risks and Liabilities: In giving grants the ‘Harlow Council’ will require the supported project organisation or groups to accept all risks and liabilities associated with the activity being supported. This will be a condition of the grant. Copies of relevant documents may need to be provided if the application has been approved.
Data protection statement – how we will use your information
The Council is committed to handling your personal information in line with the data processing principles. The Data Protection Legislation and the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR) sets the legal framework for how we collect, handle and process personal data and for your rights as a ‘data subject.’
General Data Protection Regulation: Personal data provided by you will be processed in accordance with this protocol. For more details, please see https://www.harlow.gov.uk/privacy-notice
Thank you for taking the time to read these guidance notes. If you have any questions, please get in touch with [email protected].
