Verdant questions job claims from planned UK data centers

A new Verdant report argues that data centers are unlikely to create as many jobs as companies and industry reports claim. It estimates that all currently planned UK data centers would provide 10,400 permanent operational jobs, compared with the 40,200 jobs projected by techUK.

Verdant also disputes techUK’s estimate that operating data centers currently support 24,300 jobs, saying the figure is closer to 4,400. The report argues that older estimates were based on smaller campuses, while larger facilities are becoming more automated and need fewer employees.

According to Verdant, compute capacity can expand without employment increasing proportionally. Adding another 1 MW of compute does not necessarily create a fixed number of new jobs, making the report’s rough estimate of 1.2 jobs per MW for new developments unrepresentative of all facilities.

The report expects employment density to fall further as data centers grow, comparing them unfavorably with steel plants, vehicle factories, hospitals and schools. Verdant says employment cannot credibly be the main justification for rapid construction and calls for a pause and wider public discussion. This comes as hyperscalers invest billions in capacity, with campuses promising hundreds or thousands of operational jobs and tens of thousands of related construction roles.