Correspondence between the Scottish Government and the UK Government or NHS England referencing Palantir Technologies: FOI release

Information requested

1. Any informal discussions, telephone calls, teleconferences, or meetings between Scottish Government Health Directorate officials and UK Government or NHS England officials in which the NHS England Federated Data Platform operated by Palantir was referenced or discussed, between 1 January 2020 and the date of this request. For each, please provide the date, the names and job titles of attendees, and a brief description of the subject matter discussed.

2. Any correspondence, including emails, letters, or written communications, between Scottish Government Health Directorate officials and UK Government or NHS England officials in which the NHS England Federated Data Platform operated by Palantir was referenced or discussed, between 1 January 2020 and the date of this request.

3. Any internal Scottish Government Health Directorate documents, notes, minutes, or records that reference the NHS England Federated Data Platform operated by Palantir, whether in the context of contact with the UK Government or otherwise, between 1 January 2020 and the date of this request.

Response

I enclose copies of some of the information you requested in the format you asked for.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide all of the information you have requested because various exemptions apply to some of the information that falls within the scope of your request.

An exemption under section 25(1) of FOISA applies, as the information requested is already reasonably accessible to the applicant through publicly available sources. The information is already publicly available and relates to the NHS 10-year Health Plan 2025 – Fit for the Future (England), which is available online. As this is an absolute exemption, it is not subject to the public interest test.

An exemption under section 28(1) of FOISA (relations within the UK) applies, as disclosure would be likely to prejudice relations between the Scottish Government and other UK administrations. Effective government relies on regular, often private, communications, and disclosure would be likely to reduce the openness and frequency of these exchanges. While there is a public interest in transparency, this is outweighed by the need to maintain good intergovernmental relations and ensure the free flow of information between administrations. Where we have applied this exemption the UK Government operated Federated Data Platform was mentioned in documents only in passing, rather than being the primary subject of the documentation.

An exemption under section 29(1)(a) of FOISA applies to two document as the information relates to the development of Scottish Government policy. Disclosure would be likely to inhibit free and frank discussion and undermine effective policy-making. While there is a public interest in transparency, in this case this is outweighed by the need to ensure robust and well-informed policy development.

As normal, exemptions are applied under section: 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information). These exemption applies because disclosure would contravene data protection principles to some of the information you have requested. This is an absolute exemption and as such no public interest test is required.

In relation to question one I have provided a table to show the meetings in the format you have requested.

In relation to question three, I have provided an excerpt from document 28 containing the information deemed to be within scope of this request.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202600517010 - Information released - Document 1 - 29

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