UK government to extend controversial Palantir NHS contract as it draws up plan for British alternative – UK politics live

Palantir’s controversial £330m health contract is to be extended before ministers draw up plans to replace it with a British alternative, the FT has reported.

Health secretary Yvette Cooper has faced calls from MPs and campaigners to axe the US tech firm’s contract to deliver the flagship government AI system.

The system aims to connect scattered medical files, speed up hospital discharges and improve surgery scheduling among other potentially life-saving improvements. But a review has concluded that removing Palantir from NHS data systems by triggering a break clause in its contract would be too disruptive, the FT reported.

Ministers instead plan to launch a procurement process for a UK tech alternative, with Palantir to potentially be replaced in two years.