China Access to NHS Data Raises Significant Security Concerns for the UK

China’s access to sensitive NHS health data poses a substantial security risk for the United Kingdom, according to Sir Gavin Williamson. The former defence secretary has issued a stark warning to Labour, urging immediate action over allegations that Beijing is harvesting the genetic data of British citizens. In a communication to Sir Keir Starmer’s chief secretary, Darren Jones, Sir Gavin stated that the Chinese Communist Party could leverage health data for military and strategic ends, including the identification of population-level disease vulnerabilities and the potential development of genetically enhanced soldiers.

Sir Gavin described the situation as a direct threat to the UK’s national security, highlighting Britain’s lag behind major allies such as the United States and the European Union, both of which have imposed stringent restrictions on state-linked companies’ access to health data. He called for the UK to implement comparable measures to safeguard sensitive information as scrutiny of health data access intensifies.

Chinese organisations have become significant users of the UK Biobank research database. Since June, Chinese institutions have been among the foremost groups granted access, with one in five data projects led by Chinese researchers. The information in question, provided by UK volunteers, includes anonymised scans, electronic medical records, and genetic data. The NHS is set to augment this repository by adding the GP records of half a million individuals, a move which has already cleared regulatory review regarding Chinese researcher access.

Despite assurances from the government of rigorous security protocols around all sensitive data, the presence of state-linked Chinese genetics company BGI in the ecosystem has provided additional cause for concern. The US government has blacklisted BGI, citing fears that the data could ultimately serve the Chinese military or be used to repress minority groups domestically. US lawmakers continue to pursue further sanctions against the company.

BGI offers prenatal testing services at private UK clinics, which have become subject of debate. Sir Gavin cited extensive evidence suggesting the company shares genetic data with Chinese authorities, an allegation BGI firmly denies. The group maintains it abides by stringent UK standards and has never supplied personal testing data for national defence or engaged in genetic surveillance.

The Chinese National Intelligence Law compels domestic firms to assist state intelligence operations, contributing to mounting scepticism in the UK regarding the safety of scientific collaboration in life sciences. Calls for enhanced oversight and stricter vetting look set to continue as officials work to balance research progress with national security imperatives.

UK Biobank chief executive Rory Collins defended the research database’s model, emphasising its international benefits and robust security barriers. All shared data is de-identified to exclude details that might allow individual identification. The UK government has committed to an ongoing review of biological data security as part of its broader biological security strategy, seeking to protect both public health and economic interests. Collaboration in cutting-edge medical research will proceed under strong, evolving safeguards, according to official statements.