NHS: In-house Software Capabilities

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle Excerpts

Monday 16th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

That seamless movement is an important point generally, but the federated data platform does not centralise or sell patient data. Data remains firmly under NHS control, and access is strictly governed. It is fully auditable and used only for approved patient benefit and NHS benefit. Palantir operates strictly under the instruction of NHS England and it does not, as I said, own or control NHS data. That access is tightly governed. In response to the earlier question, I note that the federated data platform to which the noble Lord refers is cyber resilient and subject to rigorous contractual, legal and information governance controls.

[Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (GP)]

My Lords, my question also relates to the federated data platform. I am sure the noble Baroness is aware that more than 50,000 patients have written to their local trust boards asking not to have their data placed on it. The Greater Manchester ICB, serving 2.8 million patients, has said that this does not present value for money and is a big public trust issue. Palantir is of course owned by Peter Thiel and Alex Karp, who are closely associated with the Trump regime and have very right-wing and anti-democratic views. Does the Minister acknowledge that this association with Palantir is damaging our NHS?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I would first look at delivery: the federated data platform has enabled nearly 100,000 extra operations, removed over 600,000 patients from waiting lists and reduced unnecessary bed days by 15%, as well as driving a 10% improvement in cancer diagnosis—so people are being diagnosed sooner because the system is working more efficiently, and that is important. This is a three-year contract given in 2023. I refer the noble Baroness to the comments I made to the noble Lord, Lord Kamall, about the rigorous contract due diligence for all commercial agreements, including with Palantir.