MPs urge Labour to ditch £330m Palantir software contract with NHS
Summary
A group of UK MPs and NHS workers have urged the Labour Party to end a £330 million contract with the US tech company Palantir, which provides software for managing NHS health data. Critics worry about patient privacy and public trust due to Palantir’s links to military and government agencies, while the company claims its software improves patient care.Key Facts
- Palantir has a £330 million contract with NHS England since 2023 to manage and analyze health data.
- MPs on two parliamentary committees want the NHS to cancel the contract by using a break clause in 2027 or finding a UK alternative.
- Around 117 NHS data and technology workers signed a letter criticizing the contract, citing risks to patient privacy and trust.
- Palantir’s software is used by US, Israeli, and UK militaries, raising concerns about its involvement beyond healthcare.
- Palantir's CEO, Alex Karp, responded controversially about the company’s military work, which has added to public debate.
- Palantir says its software has helped reduce surgery delays by 15% and improve cancer diagnosis times.
- Sadiq Khan, London’s mayor, prevented the Metropolitan Police from awarding Palantir a £50 million contract over similar concerns.
- The NHS controls how the software is used and data is processed according to legal and contractual rules.
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