Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Fourteenth Report - Homes for Ukraine
Public Accounts Committee
HC 69
Published 23 February 2024
Conclusions (4)
6
Conclusion
Deferred
DLUHC has not yet assessed what it will do when its current contract with Palantir to provide the scheme’s main data system ends in September 2024. In order to set the scheme up quickly, in March 2022, DLUHC accepted an offer from Palantir, a company on the public sector framework …
Government Response Summary
DLUHC is reviewing its commercial options for the Palantir contract, including a potential renewal, but cannot provide further details due to commercial sensitivity. It justified previous decisions by stating the Homes for Ukraine scheme fell under 'exceptional circumstances'.
21
Conclusion
Deferred
At the start of the scheme, DLUHC identified a need to share data between itself, the Home Office and local authorities, including data on the subsequent movement of Ukrainians after their arrival into the UK. DLUHC chose to accept an offer from a company called Palantir to use its data …
Government Response Summary
DLUHC is reviewing options for the Palantir contract ahead of its September 2024 expiry, potentially extending it until September 2025, but further details are commercially sensitive. The government reiterates that the initial contract fell under 'exceptional circumstances' due to urgency.
23
Conclusion
Deferred
The current contract with Palantir is due to end in September 2024. We therefore asked DLUHC what its plans were after 2024. DLUHC told us it would look “very closely” at next steps and would take a decision at the “appropriate moment”.37 We challenged the Department on when an appropriate …
Government Response Summary
DLUHC is undertaking work to review options for the Palantir contract ahead of its September 2024 expiry, including a potential extension until September 2025. Further details are commercially sensitive, with a decision targeted by September 2024.
27
Conclusion
Deferred
We asked DLUHC about the value for money of the scheme. DLUHC told us that it thought the cost of scheme was much lower than for other resettlement schemes. It explained that the cost per night of the accommodation was lower as sponsors provided the accommodation.44 Thank you payments equated …
Government Response Summary
DLUHC continuously monitors scheme progress and has developed an emergency sponsorship playbook. The department is currently exploring options for a further value for money evaluation of the scheme, with a target implementation date of Spring 2025, while affirming the scheme's existing value for money.