UK Government to Extend Palantir NHS Contract Amid Calls for British Alternative

The UK government is set to extend its controversial £330 million contract with US tech firm Palantir for a flagship NHS artificial intelligence system, even as ministers draw up plans for a British alternative. The extension was reported by the Financial Times and comes amid growing pressure from MPs and campaigners on Health Secretary Yvette Cooper to axe the deal. The live politics blog covering these developments concluded for the day, with Tom Ambrose signing off.

Andy Burnham, in a separate announcement, revealed a legal requirement for employers to publish salaries on job adverts. He described the measure as a “small fix” to help improve people’s lives. Campaigners welcomed the move, arguing that salary publication will help young people and women achieve more equal pay.

Justice and Social Policy Developments

The government is also considering changes to knife laws following the murder of Henry Nowak. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood signalled that she has not “taken any options off the table” in response to calls from Henry Nowak’s father, Mark Nowak, for a clearer legal definition of the Sikh kirpan. This comes as police urge anyone with fresh allegations against Russell Brand to come forward after his conviction on Thursday for rape and sexual assault against three women. Mark Rowley, head of Scotland Yard, said he would not be surprised if “many more” alleged victims emerged.

Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has caused “profound anger, hurt and disbelief” among many black voters with her comments on transatlantic slavery, according to the chair of Operation Black Vote. The OBV chair urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to apologise for Britain’s involvement without delay. Former government adviser David Weaver said Labour and Tory leaders risk alienating black voters on a state apology for slavery, adding that Badenoch’s remarks showed a “troubling absence of moral leadership”.

In other news, the EU is seeking a firmer pledge from the UK to guarantee European students discounted university tuition fees before a summit this month. At a meeting of senior EU diplomats on Wednesday, at least six member states called for a clear commitment that EU students pay the lower domestic tuition rate. On energy, the government is to spend almost £2.5 billion to help write off record high debts, with energy bosses summoned to a roundtable on Thursday to discuss a plan to pay down energy debts of about 2.4 million hardest-hit households. The government is also considering restrictions on smart glasses amid concerns the technology is used to surreptitiously film women, with safeguarding minister Satvir Kaur hinting at a ban on selling the technology “to certain users”. Finally, a Scottish government official warned of “clearly significant impacts and risks” from plans to site hyperscale data centres in Scotland, citing concerns over energy bills and water usage.