MPs urge Labour to scrap Palantir’s £330m NHS contract
14 reported
A second parliamentary committee has urged Labour to scrap Palantir’s £330m contract with the NHS, increasing pressure on the next prime minister over government deals with the US tech company. MPs on the health and social care select committee want the NHS to cut ties with Palantir and find a replacement for its system, which is supposed to unify and analyse large amounts of NHS health data. The cross-party group of MPs cited “serious mistrust” among the public and the medical profession, contested evidence of benefits, and the availability of other tools. Last month the science and technology committee called for the government to exercise a February 2027 break clause in the deal. Up to 117 NHS data and technology workers also called for the deal to be axed, warning that patient privacy protections were inadequate. Palantir has held the contract with NHS England since 2023.
What’s reported
A second parliamentary committee, the health and social care select committee, has urged Labour to scrap Palantir’s £330m contract with the NHS.
The committee wants the NHS to cut ties with Palantir and find a replacement for its federated data platform (FDP).
The cross-party group cited “serious mistrust” among the public and medical profession, contested evidence of benefits, and availability of other tools.
Last month the science and technology committee called for the government to exercise a February 2027 break clause in the deal.
Up to 117 NHS data and technology workers called for the deal to be axed, warning patient privacy protections were inadequate.
In a letter to health secretary James Murray, workers said data completeness would be compromised by erosion of patient trust.
Palantir is cofounded by Peter Thiel and also works for the US, Israeli and UK militaries.
Palantir’s chief executive Alex Karp last year responded to a claim that its technology kills Palestinians by saying “mostly terrorists, that’s true”.
In May, London mayor Sadiq Khan blocked the Metropolitan police from awarding a £50m contract to Palantir; Palantir is challenging that decision in the high court.
Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat chair of the health committee, said the government’s arguments for sticking with the FDP have unravelled.
Palantir has held the contract with NHS England since 2023.
A Palantir spokesperson said its software is helping deliver better patient care, including 110,000 additional operations and a 15% reduction in discharge delays.
Unison said the government cannot allow the NHS to be captured by firms like Palantir.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the government is reviewing the contract ahead of the February 2027 break clause.
Key figures
James Murray (health secretary)
Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat chair of the health committee)
Peter Thiel (cofounder of Palantir)
Alex Karp (Palantir chief executive)
Sadiq Khan (London mayor)
Louis Mosley (Palantir UK and Europe chief)
Helga Pile (Unison head of health)
Sources: The Guardian
