Andy Burnham is expected to take a tougher stance on US technology company Palantir if he becomes the UK’s next prime minister, with reports suggesting he is unlikely to continue expanding the firm’s role across government.

According to reports, Burnham deliberately avoided awarding contracts to Palantir during his nine years as Mayor of Greater Manchester, a record that is expected to influence decisions if he enters Downing Street later this month.

One of the biggest questions facing a Burnham government would be the future of the NHS Federated Data Platform, a seven-year £330 million agreement awarded to Palantir in 2023. The platform is used by NHS organisations across England to manage patient data and hospital operations, and includes a contractual break clause that could allow ministers to terminate the agreement next year if notice is given in advance.

The technology has been credited with improving efficiency across the health service, including helping hospitals increase the number of operations carried out, speeding up cancer pathways and reducing delays in patient discharge. More than half of NHS trusts in England now use the system, with officials claiming it has supported the delivery of around 110,000 additional operations.

Despite those claims, Palantir has become an increasingly controversial government contractor. A number of Labour MPs, campaign groups and trade unions have called for the NHS deal to be scrapped, arguing the company’s work with the Israeli military and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement raises serious ethical concerns.

Supporters of Burnham point to his record in Greater Manchester, where neither the Greater Manchester Combined Authority nor Greater Manchester Police entered into contracts with Palantir during his time in office.

While no final decision has been made on the future of the NHS agreement, reports suggest ministers are already examining options ahead of the contract’s first major break point, when the government will be able to decide whether to continue with the partnership.

Palantir’s political links have also attracted scrutiny. Co-founder Peter Thiel was an early supporter of US President Donald Trump, while chief executive Alex Karp has also publicly backed Trump. The company has faced sustained criticism over its contracts with the Israeli military and US immigration authorities.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall recently described Palantir’s leadership as “right-wing” and stopped short of endorsing the company’s continued involvement in Britain’s healthcare system.

Elsewhere, political resistance to Palantir has continued to grow. London Mayor Sadiq Khan recently halted a proposed £50 million contract between the Metropolitan Police and the company, citing what he described as significant procurement concerns.

France has also begun reducing its reliance on the firm. The country’s defence minister recently confirmed that France’s domestic intelligence service would end its contract with Palantir as part of a wider shift towards domestic technology providers.