UK Government Considers Ending £330 million NHS Palantir Contract

Andy Burnham, who previously barred data‑analytics firm Palantir from operating in Greater Manchester during his mayoralty, now faces his first major decision as prime minister: whether to terminate the company’s £330 million contract with the National Health Service. The agreement, signed in 2022, grants Palantir access to NHS patient data to develop artificial‑intelligence tools intended to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency.

Government officials say the contract has been under review for concerns about data security, transparency and the extent of private‑sector involvement in public health. Critics argue that ending the deal could jeopardise ongoing digital‑health projects, while supporters warn that continued reliance on a U.S. firm may expose the UK to foreign‑policy pressures and undermine public trust. The decision also carries diplomatic weight, as Palantir’s ties to Washington could affect broader UK‑US technology cooperation.

A ruling to cut the NHS contract would mark a reversal of Burnham’s earlier stance on Palantir and test the new administration’s approach to balancing innovation with data‑governance and national security. The outcome is expected to shape the government’s relationship with Big Tech and set a precedent for future public‑private partnerships in the health sector.