MPs Demand End to £330m Palantir Deal
A cross-party group of MPs on the Health and Social Care Select Committee has urged the government to terminate the NHS’s £330m contract with Palantir Technologies. The committee, including Liberal Democrat Layla Moran, the chair of the health committee, is now pressing the government to exercise a break clause in February 2027.
This recommendation aligns the committee with the Science and Technology Committee, which previously advised the government to prepare for an in-house or alternative UK-based solution. Lawmakers cite mounting concerns over public trust, the availability of alternative systems, and the company’s extensive involvement in military and government contracts.
The Crisis of Public Trust
The core of the parliamentary objection lies in what the committee describes as “serious mistrust” among both the public and medical professionals. Officials argue that the government’s justifications for the Federated Data Platform (FDP) have become increasingly unstable.
The committee is calling for an immediate pivot toward a replacement. They contend that shifting away from Palantir is essential to securing public confidence in the integrity of NHS data.
Dissent Within the NHS Ranks
Opposition is not limited to the House of Commons. A group of up to 117 NHS data and technology professionals recently wrote to Health Secretary James Murray to warn that the current deal threatens the safety of patient information.
The letter highlights fears that inadequate privacy protections and the erosion of patient trust could ultimately harm the quality of health data and the delivery of care. One anonymous senior data professional noted that the FDP has not demonstrated significant technological advantages over existing systems. Critics further argue that the implementation of this software comes at the expense of professional integrity and the core values of the health service.
Palantir Defends Its Operational Record
Palantir disputes these characterizations, framing its software as a vital instrument for clinical efficiency. According to a company spokesperson, the platform has facilitated 110,000 additional operations, reduced discharge delays by 15%, and increased the number of patients receiving cancer treatment assessments within the 28-day target by 6.8%.
Louis Mosley, Palantir’s UK and Europe chief, has characterized the criticism as an ideological stance that ignores tangible improvements in patient safety and waiting lists. The company maintains that the NHS retains full control over how data is processed, operating under strict instructions.
A Broader Pattern of Procurement Scrutiny
The controversy surrounding Palantir extends beyond the health sector. In May, London Mayor Sadiq Khan blocked a proposed contract between the Metropolitan Police and the firm. City Hall cited concerns regarding the company’s values and the procurement process—a decision Palantir is currently challenging in the High Court.
The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed it is reviewing the contract ahead of the 2027 deadline. Meanwhile, the union Unison has joined the call to discontinue the relationship, asserting that the NHS must retain absolute ownership and control over critical, highly sensitive infrastructure.
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