UK NHS faces mounting opposition to Palantir data partnership

In November 2023 the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom signed a seven‑year contract with US data‑analytics firm Palantir to build a platform for sharing patient information. After only a year, the agreement is under intense scrutiny. Labour MPs such as Ian Byrne have warned that “despite great concerns of MPs, medical staff and the public, the presence of Palantir within our NHS and access to patient data has continued to increase.” Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn questioned the wisdom of “binding ourselves to an American multinational corporation that will control huge amounts of data.”

A parliamentary committee’s 70‑page report called the partnership an “unacceptable vulnerability” and urged the government to abandon the deal, with chair Dame Chi Onwurah warning of dependence on a small number of US firms. Health minister James Murray said the contract is now “on the test bench” and may be terminated early under a clause in the agreement. Palantir’s UK chief, Louis Mosley, defended the collaboration, likening reliance on the platform to using a car that can later be replaced.

The controversy also extends to other digital health projects, such as the proposed Single Patient Record system, raising further concerns that Palantir could be involved in future NHS digital initiatives.