Calum Miller, the Bicester and Woodstock MP, has raised concerns that inadequate electricity capacity and delayed grid connections could restrict economic development across Oxfordshire.
During a parliamentary debate on the Budget, the Liberal Democrat MP described the Government’s fiscal statement as a missed opportunity for residents and businesses in the constituency.
Miller said constraints on power supply were preventing companies from progressing despite plans to establish the area as a major technology centre.
The constituency already contains several innovation and engineering organisations, including Oxford Ionics, Zero Petroleum, Siemens Healthineers, and the Jaguar and McLaren Formula E teams.
Business leaders in the area are seeking to position the region as one of the country’s fastest-expanding technology hubs, but access to sufficient electricity remains a significant obstacle.
Long waits for grid connections are affecting both emerging companies and developers.
Miller said the connection queue for new businesses and projects in his constituency extends into the 2030s.
Pressure on Oxfordshire’s electricity network is also affecting local services, according to the MP.
A recent outage led to the temporary closure of The Cooper School in Bicester for one day.
In addition, the North West Bicester development, which is intended to provide 6,000 homes, was postponed for more than two years because grid connectivity was unavailable.
Data centres present a further concern because of their substantial electricity requirements.
Proposals include a facility south of Kidlington and another development near Bicester that would need power comparable to that consumed by approximately 1.4 million homes.
Miller said constituents were concerned that prioritising data centres for grid connections could place additional strain on local networks or postpone electricity access for essential services.
He asked ministers to commission and publish a complete assessment of network capacity before major data-centre projects received preferential treatment.
The MP also renewed his opposition to plans to convert the MOD Bicester site into accommodation for 1,256 asylum seekers.
He said the scheme would impose a considerable cost on taxpayers and called for scrutiny of Home Office expenditure connected with the proposal.
Miller additionally backed greater devolution, enabling local involvement in decisions concerning housing and infrastructure.
He said these areas should be considered together because developments can affect roads, schools, GP surgeries, and utilities in combination.
The debate also turned to the position of hospitality businesses.
Miller said pubs, cafés, and restaurants remained central to community life in Bicester, Kidlington, and Woodstock but were experiencing rising costs.
While he welcomed changes to business-rates relief, he asked ministers to reduce VAT for hospitality businesses.