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Laura Hughes

@laurahughesft.bsky.social
546 followers 272 following 19 posts

Public Policy Correspondent, Financial Times. laura.hughes@ft.com

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Reposted by Laura Hughes
Lucy Fisher @lucyfisher.ft.com · 01/10/2026
EXC: British govt is searching for a UK alternative to Palantir, as the PM’s “buy British” push triggers hunt for homegrown replacement for the controversial US software group in NHS and MoD w/ @chris-smyth.bsky.social & @laurahughesft.bsky.social www.ft.com/content/9a6e...
ft.com
Andy Burnham searches for UK alternative to Palantir
Prime minister’s ‘buy British’ push triggers hunt to find replacement for controversial US tech group awarded health service and defence contracts
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Laura Hughes @laurahughesft.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
SCOOP: Patient data from GP surgeries is being added to the NHS’s Palantir-built data platform in a significant expansion beyond its current use in hospitals. as.ft.com/r/e5426fa4-e...
as.ft.com
GP data quietly added to Palantir’s NHS data platform
Pilot marks significant expansion of the controversial software beyond its current use in hospitals
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Reposted by Laura Hughes
Amy Borrett @amyborrett.ft.com · 10/07/2026
🚨NHS hospitals have admitted to a litany of errors in the data behind a headline claim about the success of the controversial £330mn Palantir contract after a @financialtimes.com investigation found dozens of irregularities. Scoop w/ @laurahughesft.bsky.social as.ft.com/r/7ab92d75-3...
Line chart of the total additional days in hospital due to delayed discharge, patients with length of stay of 7+ days, showing NHS hospitals admit to errors in data used to justify Palantir contract
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Laura Hughes @laurahughesft.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
The top civil servant at the Department of Health has recused herself from any decision to extend Palantir’s contract with the NHS, after MPs raised concerns over a potential conflict of interest related to her previous consulting work. as.ft.com/r/14df19c6-e...
as.ft.com
Top official recuses herself from NHS Palantir contract decision after business links
MPs had raised concerns over Samantha Jones’s previous consulting work
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Laura Hughes @laurahughesft.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Our latest @financialtimes.com film looks at the rise of Palantir and the mounting scrutiny the company is facing on both sides of the Atlantic. @dangarrahan.bsky.social @joemillerjr.ft.com @cynthiao.bsky.social #palantir #nhs #technology #data www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJ5X...
youtube.com
Palantir: profits, procurement and power | FT Film
YouTube video by Financial Times
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Laura Hughes @laurahughesft.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
We really couldn’t have made Toxic Legacy without all the families, academics and experts who spoke to us. Honoured to be shortlisted for a British Podcast Award.🙌 🎧Full series of Untold: Toxic Legacy here: lnkd.in/eaYMtHgT www.britishpodcastawards.com/longlist-2026
britishpodcastawards.com
Longlist 2026
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Reposted by Laura Hughes
Josh Gabert-Doyon @joshgd100.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Interesting argument here around the impact of Palantir winning the NHS Federated Data Platform contract... From @laurahughesft.bsky.social and Madhumita Murgia's piece in the FT today. as.ft.com/r/e3df8845-d...
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Reposted by Laura Hughes
Foxglove Legal @foxglovelegal.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
NHS admits the 'Uptake and Benefits' page for the Federated Data Platform... does not in fact prove Palantir's kit has delivered any benefits to the NHS. We've written to Health Sec James Murray asking for an explanation. Great reporting from @laurahughesft.bsky.social: www.ft.com/content/9348...
ft.com
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Laura Hughes @laurahughesft.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
New: Matthew Swindells, who privately urged colleagues to add more patient data into a Palantir-built platform at the same time as he was being paid to advise the US technology company, is stepping down from the health service. www.ft.com/content/3d1d...
ft.com
Senior NHS manager who advised Palantir to step down from role
[FREE TO READ] Matthew Swindells was joint chair of four major London hospital trusts while also advising the US tech group
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Reposted by Laura Hughes
Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
www.ft.com/content/6c54...
ft.com
NHS official pushed to add patient data to Palantir platform while also advising company
Matthew Swindells has been joint chair of four major hospital trusts in north west London since April 2022
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Reposted by Laura Hughes
Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
A lobbyist who worked directly for Peter Mandelson, on the Palantir board, and on the board of *four* NHS trusts. Lobbying the NHS to hand over even more patient data to Palantir. This absolutely stinks. Get Palantir out of the NHS. Sign my petition: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/st...
NHS official pushed to add patient data to Palantir platform whilst also advising company
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Laura Hughes @laurahughesft.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
SCOOP: A senior NHS official privately urged colleagues to add more patient data into a Palantir-built platform at the same time as he was being paid to advise the US technology company. as.ft.com/r/ab744740-5...
as.ft.com
NHS official pushed to add patient data to Palantir platform while also advising company
[FREE TO READ] Matthew Swindells has been joint chair of four major hospital trusts in north-west London since April 2022
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Reposted by Laura Hughes
Longwordmonthly @longwordmonthly.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Is maternity care in the UK broken? This chart provides a good example of how throwing money at an NHS problem is not guaranteed to fix it. Both NHS culture and policy are other factors at play. Well done to FT’s Laura Hughes for shining a light on this. 👏 #wato @laurahughesft.bsky.social
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Reposted by Laura Hughes
Aveek Bhattacharya @aveek18.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
If you want to be scandalised, listen to @laurahughesft.bsky.social's Toxic Legacy podcast, which describes some of the harm being suffered and the failure of institutions to take it seriously. Thanks to her covering the letter, and keeping the story alive.
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Laura Hughes @laurahughesft.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
For women, giving birth In England is becoming riskier. Maternal deaths in the UK have increased since the pandemic and are now higher than they have been for more than a decade. as.ft.com/r/a4fc58ff-6...
as.ft.com
Maternity care is broken. Who can fix it?
[FREE TO READ] Giving birth is getting riskier, midwives are stretched to exhaustion and families must navigate a lottery of care
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Laura Hughes @laurahughesft.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
SCOOP: University College London has agreed to pay £21mn to settle a lawsuit brought by students over Covid disruption, a watershed move that is set to put pressure on other institutions to compensate graduates. as.ft.com/r/50cd12f9-3...
as.ft.com
UCL students win £21mn over Covid disruption in watershed UK settlement
[FREE TO READ] Move involving 6,500 claimants is set to put pressure on other universities to compensate graduates
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Reposted by Laura Hughes
Joel Suss @joelsuss.ft.com · 18/02/2026
This is v important piece on UK maternal care by @laurahughesft.bsky.social but makes for difficult reading My wife encountered this with our second child, thankfully everything ended up OK but there were a series of very dangerous mistakes made as.ft.com/r/24e63817-d...
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Reposted by Laura Hughes
Medical Journalists' Association @mja-uk.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Maternity care is broken. Who can fix it? - by @laurahughesft.bsky.social giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com
Maternity care is broken. Who can fix it?
Giving birth is getting riskier, midwives are stretched to exhaustion and families must navigate a lottery of care
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Laura Hughes @laurahughesft.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
We couldn’t have made Toxic Legacy without the generosity and courage of the families, academics and experts who spoke to us. Honoured to be shortlisted for News Podcast of the Year at the British Press Award. 🎧Full series here: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/u...
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Reposted by Laura Hughes
Medical Journalists' Association @mja-uk.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Millions of women in England only have access to one round of IVF on NHS, writes @laurahughesft.bsky.social giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com
Millions of women in England only have access to one round of IVF on NHS
Health authorities continue to cut back the availability of fertility treatment despite official policy
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Reposted by Laura Hughes
Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
The rise of the ‘National Health State’ - fascinating stuff from @laurahughesft.bsky.social and @amyborrett.ft.com. Calls to mind teachers bringing in food, toiletries and clothes for pupils, albeit on a less institutionalised basis. (Source: www.ft.com/content/cb76...)
At the in-house laundry at Tickhill Road Hospital, staff are washing more than patient gowns and bed sheets.

Since last March, the hospital has been running a free service for people in Doncaster who lack access to washing facilities and are preparing for job interviews.

For those who do not have suitable clothes, the South Yorkshire hospital has also created a “community wardrobe”, enabling local residents to borrow suits to help them present themselves more professionally.

“Some people might say this is ludicrous, that the NHS is subsidising interviews,” said Steve Forsyth, Tickhill Road Hospital’s chief nursing officer who helped create the initiatives. “But we have a responsibility to the community. This is preventive work, as employment links to physical and mental health.”
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Laura Hughes @laurahughesft.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
The head of England’s drinking water watchdog has called for domestic fittings to be tested for lead as a mandatory part of homebuyers’ reports, after a @financialtimes.com investigation revealed millions of people may be unknowingly exposed to the toxic metal. as.ft.com/r/56e04bf8-f...
as.ft.com
Homes on sale in England should be tested for lead, says water watchdog
[FREE TO READ] Call by Drinking Water Inspectorate comes after FT revealed millions of people may be unknowingly exposed to toxic metal
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Laura Hughes @laurahughesft.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
This is potentially huge. The UK is launching its first screening study for lead poisoning, targeting hidden exposure in children and laying the groundwork for nationwide testing. www.ft.com/content/f2bb...
ft.com
UK to launch first lead poisoning screening study of children after FT investigation
Leeds examination to target hidden exposure in the young and lay groundwork for national testing
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Laura Hughes @laurahughesft.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
The UK government is reconsidering whether to routinely test children for lead exposure following a two-year @financialtimes.com investigation that revealed millions may be unknowingly at risk from the toxic metal. 🎧Full series here: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/u...
podcasts.apple.com
Untold: Toxic Legacy
News Podcast · Weekly series · The Financial Times’ Laura Hughes has uncovered a lead poisoning epidemic across the UK. Lead is leaching into the environment and lurking in our homes - but most people...
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Laura Hughes @laurahughesft.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
Over the moon to get this review. 🙏 🌙 observer.co.uk/culture/audi...
observer.co.uk
Untold: Toxic Legacy is a devastating investigation
The three-part series by Laura Hughes is like a ghost story where lead haunts British land and homes. Plus: a chilling real-life story of a false confession
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Laura Hughes @laurahughesft.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Thirty years ago, horses died and a girl’s gums turned green in West Wales. The cause? Lead poisoning. Now, it’s happening again. Episode 1 of Untold: Toxic Legacy is out now. 🎧 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
podcasts.apple.com
Silent Danger
Podcast Episode · Untold: Toxic Legacy · S3 E1 · 41m
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Reposted by Laura Hughes
Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 22/10/2025
You might be living with lead poisoning and not know it: the toxin is often invisible to the eye, but wreaks havoc on our bodies once we're exposed. @laurahughesft.bsky.social uncovers a lead poisoning epidemic in Toxic Legacy, a new season of our Untold podcast: on.ft.com/3WU8YS8
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Laura Hughes @laurahughesft.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Lead is leaching into the environment and lurking in our homes. It's in soil, in water, in food, in our housing. And it's poisoning people. The first episode of Untold: Toxic Legacy launches October 22. Trailer here: open.spotify.com/episode/6M4H...
open.spotify.com
Spotify – Web Player
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Laura Hughes @laurahughesft.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
This means the absolute world to me. Very grateful to sources and academics who are STILL helping me uncover the legacy of lead in our environment, as well as the impact it’s having on our health. Feel very lucky (as always) to work at the @financialtimes.com and with such brilliant editors. 🙏
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Reposted by Laura Hughes
Sam Joiner @samjoiner.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
New: The government wants a technological revolution in healthcare. But from paper notes to inconsistent data sharing and dozens of IT systems, digitising the NHS will not be easy. W/ @laurahughesft.bsky.social @upyorkshire.ft.com @carolinenevitt.bsky.social @emmalewis.ft.com 👉 on.ft.com/4dqrVDG
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Laura Hughes @laurahughesft.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Thank you @privateeyenews.bsky.social for giving me such a great platform to discuss how lead from abandoned mines, old pipes and paint in our houses, could be poisoning hundreds of thousands of children a year here in the UK. open.spotify.com/episode/4nBh...
open.spotify.com
140: Mini-Series: The Paul Foot Award 2025
Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast · Episode
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Reposted by Laura Hughes
Private Eye Magazine @privateeyenews.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
🎧 Listen to the full interview with Laura on today’s episode of the Page 94 podcast. In feeds now. audioboom.com/posts/871891...
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Reposted by Laura Hughes
Tom Greenslade @tomgreenslade.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Well this was an eye opener, a big dose of morning doom but I cannot believe #leadpoisoning is not being talked about Great research and reporting from @laurahughesft.bsky.social @privateeyenews.bsky.social youtube.com/watch?v=y-nh...
youtube.com
Toxic lead in the UK: Laura Hughes, Financial Times - Paul Foot Award Nominee 2025
YouTube video by Private Eye Magazine
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Laura Hughes @laurahughesft.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
What a ridiculous honour to just make this list, given both the origin of the award and the calibre of journalism it’s recognised over the years… 🙏 @privateeyenews.bsky.social #PaulFootAward
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Reposted by Laura Hughes
Private Eye Magazine @privateeyenews.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
From the carer’s allowance scandal to an investigation into British universities’ harsh measures against pro-Palestinian protests on campus... The shortlist for the 2025 Paul Foot Award for Investigative Journalism has been announced! Shortlist: www.private-eye.co.uk/paul-foot-aw...
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