Andy Burnham says his plans for a digital ID scheme will be scrapped as part of his first major policy pledge focused on tackling the cost of living. Multiple reports say Burnham’s team is redirecting funding away from the digital ID programme and toward spending described as more immediately useful to households. The Manchester Evening News reports that the approach is intended to “save £1.8bn,” with the money instead earmarked for what it describes as people’s everyday priorities. BBC News similarly reports that an incoming-government spokesperson says the focus will be placed “where people need it right now,” in the context of scrapping digital ID plans. The i adds that Burnham’s team says resources will be redirected toward more “tangible” improvements rather than the digital ID programme. Across the sources, the central point is that Burnham’s administration is prioritising cost of living measures over digital ID delivery, and that a major budget shift is being proposed as part of the change.