Incoming UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to scrap Keir Starmer’s previously proposed national digital ID card scheme, according to multiple reports. Several outlets describe the decision as part of a “reset of priorities” when Burnham takes office, indicating that resources allocated to implementing digital identity will be redirected. The move follows public criticism of the digital ID proposal, which was announced last year by Starmer and had faced widespread pushback. Reporting also says Burnham’s government plans to use money saved from dropping the scheme to address other domestic concerns, particularly the cost of living. Coverage notes that Burnham’s team has framed the change as shifting focus to areas viewed as more immediate and practical by the public, rather than continuing with a widely debated digital identity programme. Across outlets, the common points are that the digital ID plan is being abandoned, that the decision is linked to reprioritizing spending, and that cost-of-living support is cited as a key alternative use for the diverted funds. The details of the budget reallocation amount and how the funds will be spent are not fully specified in the excerpts provided.
UK PM Andy Burnham scraps Keir Starmer’s digital ID scheme to redirect resources
Incoming UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to scrap Keir Starmer’s previously proposed national digital ID card scheme, according to multiple reports. Several outlets describe the decision as part...
- Andy Burnham is set to scrap Keir Starmer’s national digital ID card scheme.
- The decision is described as part of a “reset of priorities” when Burnham takes office.
- The digital ID proposal faced public criticism or pushback.
- Funds earmarked for implementing digital ID are being redirected elsewhere.
- Cost of living support is cited as a priority for the redirected resources.
England’s new prime minister has reportedly cancelled his predecessor’s plans for a national digital ID. Andy Burnham confirmed for Techcrunch Tuesday (July 21) that the government would scrap the widely-criticized proposal for a digital identity card program, announced last year by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The government plans to use the money saved from […] The post UK Discards Digital ID Plans After Public Pushback appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
1 month agoThe move is the latest in a series of measures Burnham is eyeing in his early days of office, as he plans a series of public statements to signal a change from the previous government under Starmer
1 month agoAndy Burnham scrapped Labour’s digital ID plans as he became prime minister, pledging to redirect resources to cost-of-living support and daily priorities.
1 month agoAndy Burnham speaks after being confirmed as the Labour Party's new leader and the country's next prime minister, during 'Labour's Special Conference' in central London, Friday July 17, 2026.Andy Burnham’s government intends to scrap Keir Starmer’s plan to implement digital ID, a close ally to the incoming prime minister has confirmed.Dropping the controversial scheme is part of Burnham’s bid to put his own stamp on government and distance himself from his predecessor’s most divisive policies.Starmer announced plans for a digital ID scheme last September to crack down on illegal working, but it sparked fears about whether personal data might then be at risk.Speaking to Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC, deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell said scrapping the programme move would allow ministers to be “laser focused on the cost of living, laser focused on rewiring the economy, rewiring the political system in this country, and clearing the decks, if you like, from of all of the other things that might distract and take away from that in terms of the focus of the government”.Asked how much money would now be freed up for other means, Powell said: “The OBR said it would cost, I think, £1.8 billion over the over the coming years.“That’s not an insignificant amount of money. That will obviously be re-prioritised and redistributed in different ways.“But as I say, it’s not just about the money.“It’s actually about the attention and the focus, so that the the whole of government machinery can work in service of the agenda and the vision that the Labour government is setting out under under Andy Burnham, and I think that is important.”She also claimed Burnham will deliver on the Labour manifesto by being “bolder” and “clearer” about what the party stands for."It takes attention away [from tackling the cost of living]”Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell says Andy Burnham will end the government’s plans for a Digital ID scheme when he becomes prime minister on Monday#BBCLauraKhttps://t.co/CkTHGctZ4kpic.twitter.com/UN8AF5pBib— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) July 19, 2026Powell confirmed there would be a “change of emphasis” on North Sea oil and gas drilling under Burnham as well.There has been widespread speculation that the new prime minister might issue new drilling licences to boost the UK’s energy security, even though the 2024 Labour manifesto pledged not to.Though she did not confirm what Burnham intends to do on the divisive topic, Powell said the new PM would take a “more pragmatic approach” towards North Sea drilling.Powell said: “We’ve been really clear that the way to achieve, in the long term, energy security and lower bills is by ensuring that we do have our our own homegrown, clean, much cheaper energy.“But we’ve been absolutely clear that North Sea gas and oil is an important part of that transition.“It’s an important part of the mix, and I think what Andy’s talking about is taking a more pragmatic approach and working with the industry to make sure that it can contribute to that transition and to the the mix that is needed over the long term.“So let’s see what he’s got to say about that. But I don’t think it’s a change of policy. It’s more a change of emphasis.”Related...Keir Starmer Ditches Compulsory Digital ID In 13th U-Turn Since Becoming Prime MinisterExclusive: Keir Starmer Facing Mounting Labour Rebellion Over Digital ID CardsI'm An Online Harms Expert, Here's Why I'm Terrified Of Digital ID For Kids
1 month agoThe incoming government's central priority is to focus on the daily issues facing people across the country.
1 month agoAndy Burnham will ditch plans for a government-issued digital ID for all British adults in a “reset of priorities” when he becomes prime minister on Monday.
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