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UK Government Plans to Extend Palantir NHS Contract While Drafting British Alternative
UK government plans to extend Palantir's £330m NHS contract while drafting a British alternative to replace it.
Key points
- Palantir's £330m health contract is set to be extended before ministers draw up plans for a British replacement.
- A review found that triggering a break clause to remove Palantir from NHS data systems would be too disruptive.
- Ministers plan a procurement process for a UK tech alternative, with Palantir potentially replaced in two years.
Why it matters. The decision could keep a US tech firm running core NHS data systems for now, while a British replacement is procured and Palantir may be replaced in two years.
The UK government plans to extend Palantir's £330m NHS health contract while ministers draw up a British alternative, the FT reported. A review concluded that triggering a break clause to remove Palantir from NHS data systems would be too disruptive, so ministers plan a procurement process for a UK tech replacement, with Palantir potentially replaced in two years. Palantir's UK and Europe chief executive, Louis Mosley, said ending the contract would mean putting politics above patients.
Latest updates
UK Government Plans to Extend Palantir NHS Contract While Drafting British Alternative
The UK government plans to extend the controversial NHS contract held by the US technology firm Palantir. The contract covers delivery of the flagship government AI system used in the health service. Health Secretary Yvette Cooper has faced calls to axe the contract, according to a report. At the same time, the government is drawing up a plan for a British alternative. The report does not specify the length of the proposed extension or its cost. The situation is being reported as it develops.
Sources
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