UK MPs call for removal of US data firm Palantir from NHS and other public contracts

A cross‑party Science, Innovation and Technology Committee report labeled American data‑analytics company Palantir an “unacceptable point of weakness” in the UK public sector and urged the government to end its £330 million NHS data contract. The committee warned of vendor lock‑in, national‑security risks and a mismatch with UK values, recommending the February 2027 break clause be exercised and a UK‑owned alternative developed.

The report also highlighted Palantir’s extensive reach across other government services, including a £240 million Ministry of Defence contract and a new £9 million firearms licensing system for England and Wales. Critics noted Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent visit to Palantir’s Washington headquarters with lobbyist Peter Mandelson, raising further concerns about transparency and influence.