Multiple reports indicate that MPs have demanded the government scrap its NHS contract with Palantir. The government said it will consider whether to continue with the Palantir NHS contract when a break clause is due in spring 2027. Junior health minister Dr Zubir Ahmed acknowledged the political discomfort, stating that the government is no fan of Palantir's politics but emphasized the FDP's importance. Liberal Democrat MP Luke Taylor echoed the opposition, declaring that Palantir and Peter Thiel must have their hands ripped off of the NHS before it is too late.
Conflicting figures surround the contract's value and spending. According to major media, Palantir was awarded a seven-year, £330 million contract to create the new data management system in 2023. However, another major media report states Palantir won a £300 million contract with NHS England for its Federated Data Platform at the end of 2023. Major media sources also report that £210 million of the £330 million Palantir NHS contract has already been spent, highlighting significant financial commitments amid the political scrutiny.
The government and Palantir have touted operational benefits from the platform. Junior health minister Dr Zubir Ahmed stated that the NHS Federated Data Platform is exceeding its performance targets. A Palantir spokesperson cited via major media that Palantir software has helped deliver 110,000 additional operations, a 15.3% reduction in discharge delays, and a 6.8% increase in cancer diagnoses within 28 days of referral. A Whitehall source told major media that thanks to Palantir, there will be 100,000 additional operations and 250,000 accelerated discharges in the next 12 months and savings of £780 million over seven years.
If at that point in the break clause we evaluate and we find that there are other providers that can do the job better, of course then that needs to be looked at.
Contradictory forecasts on savings and return on investment have emerged in the financial benefits debate. Palantir UK executive vice-chair Louis Mosley claimed Palantir software is forecast to deliver £150 million in benefits by the end of the decade, representing a £5 return for every pound spent. This contrasts with the Whitehall source's assertion of £780 million in savings over seven years, leaving uncertainty about the actual financial benefits of the contract, which could influence public and political opinion on its value.
Despite political opposition, the government has defended the platform's performance. Junior health minister Dr Zubir Ahmed noted the government is no fan of Palantir's politics but emphasized the FDP's importance. He added that if at the break clause point they evaluate and find other providers that can do the job better, that needs to be looked at. Major media reports indicate that government officials have argued it is feasible to transfer the running of the FDP to another provider, suggesting contingency plans are under consideration.
Data access concerns have been raised regarding Palantir's integration into NHS systems. Major media reports that Palantir staff working on the FDP rollout have been given NHS email accounts, access to NHS SharePoint filesharing systems, and internal Microsoft Teams groups. The same source notes that at least six Palantir engineers supporting the FDP rollout have been given NHS.net accounts. According to The Guardian - Politics, Rory Gibson described his discomfort as a doctor with Palantir staff potentially accessing personal NHS information, highlighting trust issues among healthcare workers.
We are no fan of [Palantir's] politics. However, the FDP and the principles that underpin it are critical to the future of the NHS.
Palantir and MPs have offered assurances on data ownership and security. Palantir UK executive vice-chair Louis Mosley stated that Palantir has no interest in patient data in the UK, and it is not their business model or legal basis. Labour MP Alex McIntyre emphasized via major media that the data must stay in the UK and be NHS-owned, and Palantir does not have access or cannot share patient data for their own use. A Palantir spokesperson added in an official statement that this is normal practice for government suppliers, with government guidance stating that using government systems is more secure than suppliers using their own systems.
Ethical controversies have sparked backlash due to Palantir's reputation. Major media reports that Palantir's association with AI-powered surveillance and war technology has left some staff, patients, and human rights campaigners questioning the ethics and implications of its involvement in the NHS. Liberal Democrat MP Martin Wrigley commented that the main issue is trust, and gaining public trust for AI research is hard enough without a company like Palantir controlling it all. Major media sources also indicate that health officials have expressed fears that Palantir's reputation will affect delivery of the FDP contract, adding to the ethical concerns.
Confusion exists over the contract renewal timeline. The government said it will consider whether to continue with the Palantir NHS contract when a break clause is due in spring 2027. However, major media reports that the FDP contract will be up for renewal at the start of next year, creating uncertainty about the exact timeline for the break clause activation. According to The Guardian - Main UK, Louis Mosley described having a review clause as good and normal practice, while warning that ideologically motivated campaigns could harm patient care.
I – as a doctor – absolutely don't want my personal email and number to be accessible to someone who works for Palantir on the NHS, and might next month be working on systems for drone strikes. NHS staff have not consented to sharing their email addresses with Palantir staff.
The British Medical Association has long opposed Palantir's involvement in the NHS. The BMA has long opposed the involvement of Palantir in the delivery of care and the use of patient data in the NHS, adding institutional weight to the criticism. This opposition aligns with broader concerns from MPs and campaigners about data ethics and corporate influence in healthcare. Green Party leader Zack Polanski succinctly called for Palantir to get the hell out of the NHS in a public speech, reflecting the intensity of the backlash.
If the contract is terminated, the feasibility of transferring the platform remains a key consideration. Major media reports indicate that government officials have argued it is feasible to transfer the running of the FDP to another provider. However, it is unclear how many other providers are capable of taking over the Federated Data Platform, which could impact the government's evaluation process. This uncertainty adds complexity to the political and operational decisions surrounding the contract's future.
The government has not specified what criteria it will use to evaluate whether to continue with the Palantir contract at the break clause in 2027. Additionally, the exact data security protocols in place to prevent Palantir from accessing or misusing NHS patient data have not been detailed publicly. The extent to which Palantir's reputation has already impacted the delivery or public perception of the FDP contract also remains uncertain, with health officials expressing fears but no concrete evidence provided.