Greens Push NHS to End Use of Palantir Software

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 6, 2026

Green Party activists, supported by Labour, Liberal Democrats, and advocacy groups, are campaigning for the NHS to end its £330 million contract with Palantir Technologies due to ethical concerns linked to the company's past government partnerships. With a contract break clause expiring at the end of 2023, NHS leaders face increasing pressure to decide if Palantir’s reported improvements in patient care justify continuing the deal amid mounting political opposition.

Green Party activists are intensifying efforts to persuade the National Health Service (NHS) to terminate its use of software developed by Palantir Technologies, a US-based data analytics firm. The campaign has gained traction within several local authorities, where Greens have allied with Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and advocacy groups such as Amnesty International to challenge the company’s NHS contracts.

Palantir currently holds a seven-year agreement with the NHS worth £330 million, with a break clause that must be exercised by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham before the end of 2023. The company has secured approximately £600 million in various public sector contracts across the UK.

The controversy surrounding Palantir stems partly from its previous work with the Trump administration’s immigration agencies and the Israeli military, prompting criticism from left-wing campaigners concerned about the ethical implications of the firm’s partnerships. These activists argue that Palantir’s involvement in the NHS should be reconsidered on similar grounds.

Several local councils have taken formal steps opposing Palantir’s presence. Sheffield City Council, governed by a Labour-Green coalition, and East Hertfordshire District Council, led by a Green-Liberal Democrat alliance, have both passed motions opposing the firm. In Rotherham, a motion introduced in July urged the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust to pause the expansion of Palantir technologies. This motion was brought forward by Independent councillor Taiba Yasseen, seconded by Green councillor Mick Bower, and supported by Labour councillors. Additionally, Coventry City Council has adopted a motion targeting its own use of Palantir software, which assists local social workers.

Zack Polanski, a Green Party member and local councillor, has been vocal in calling for Palantir’s removal from NHS systems. In a letter to Palantir’s chief executive in January, he demanded the company “pack its bags and get the hell out of the NHS.”

Palantir has defended its role within the NHS, highlighting the tangible benefits its technology has delivered. A company spokesperson stated that since the software’s implementation, NHS trusts using it have facilitated an additional 110,000 operations, reduced discharge delays for long-stay patients by 15 percent, and improved compliance with the NHS’s 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard by an average of 6.8 percent. Louis Mosley, Palantir’s UK chief executive, has emphasised that the company’s performance should be evaluated based on its outcomes for patients rather than external controversies.

As the deadline for the contract break clause approaches, pressure on NHS leadership, including Prime Minister Burnham, is mounting. The debate continues over whether the clinical benefits Palantir software appears to provide outweigh the ethical and political concerns raised by its critics.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.