Burnham’s rise puts Palantir’s NHS contract under scrutiny
The likely next UK leader faces an early decision on NHS England’s Palantir deal as allies push a procurement approach focused on data and British interests.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
Andy Burnham’s expected move into Downing Street could quickly put one of Britain’s most contested public technology contracts back under review. Al Jazeera reported that the likely next Labour leader will face an early decision on NHS England’s seven-year, 330 million-pound contract with Palantir Technologies.
Burnham, who returned to Parliament as MP for Makerfield after serving as Greater Manchester mayor, could become prime minister as soon as July 17 if confirmed unopposed as Labour leader, according to Al Jazeera. The Palantir question matters because the US software company has built a role across British public bodies including the NHS, the Ministry of Defence, the Home Office and the Financial Conduct Authority, Al Jazeera reported.
Procurement stance under watch
An Andy Burnham spokesperson told Al Jazeera that his team would not comment on individual contracts or companies because legal processes must be followed. The spokesperson said Burnham’s general approach to procurement is based on “getting value for money for the taxpayer” and “safeguarding people’s data and British interests.”
Al Jazeera reported that media accounts last week said Burnham was inclined to maintain a tougher stance on Palantir across the UK government if he enters Downing Street. That would mark a change from Keir Starmer’s outgoing Labour administration, which Al Jazeera said had sought closer ties with US artificial intelligence firms supported by former UK ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson.
The Financial Times, citing people briefed on the discussions, reported that Burnham advisers including former tech minister Josh Simons are working with researchers Antonio Weiss and Martha Dacombe on an AI plan that gives priority to British companies and workers.
Greater Manchester example
Al Jazeera reported that the Greater Manchester Combined Authority awarded no contracts to Palantir during Burnham’s nine years as mayor. Greater Manchester Police also confirmed it had not held a Palantir contract in the past five years, according to the report.
The sharper comparison is in healthcare. Al Jazeera reported that NHS leaders in Greater Manchester built their own data analytics system over six years instead of adopting NHS England’s Federated Data Platform, which uses Palantir’s Foundry software. Burnham allies now point to that local system as evidence that the health service can manage data without relying on Palantir, according to Al Jazeera.
The Good Law Project, which has sought more transparency over the NHS contract, has described Palantir as a “potential security risk,” Al Jazeera reported. Duncan McCann, the group’s technology and data lead, told Al Jazeera that a defence company has different values from a healthcare organisation such as the NHS.
More fights ahead
The NHS deal is not the only Palantir contract drawing political scrutiny. Al Jazeera reported that Palantir has filed a High Court challenge after London Mayor Sadiq Khan blocked a 50 million-pound Metropolitan Police contract, with the company arguing the move restricted free speech. Khan’s office later approved a smaller arrangement, according to Al Jazeera.
The NHS contract contains a break clause in March 2027, but Al Jazeera reported that a decision must be made by December. Al Jazeera said it contacted Palantir for comment and had not received a response by publication.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.