Andy Burnham to scrap digital ID to focus on 'helping with cost of living'
Burnham’s team says the funds will be redirected to cost-of-living support, while the Office for Budget Responsibility put the scheme’s cost at £1.8 billion.
- On Monday, incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham will scrap Sir Keir Starmer's flagship digital ID programme, marking his first major policy departure as he assumes office at Number 10.
- Sir Keir introduced the digital ID initiative last year to tackle illegal immigration, with the Office for Budget Responsibility estimating the programme would cost £1.8 billion over three years.
- Shadow Technology Secretary Julia Lopez claimed Labour "wasted millions of pounds" on the project, while Jack Coulson of Big Brother Watch welcomed the decision as the public opposed mandatory ID.
- Burnham's team described the move as a "reset of priorities," redirecting funds toward "tangible" improvements to people's lives, including cost-of-living support.
- Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch dismissed Burnham's remarks as "airy-fairy stuff" and suggested he is "a people pleaser," while reports indicate he may also authorise North Sea drilling.
77 Articles
77 Articles
Andy Burnham’s ID card surprise is very unsurprising
Andy Burnham’s ID card surprise is very unsurprising sam.macrory Mon, 20/07/2026 - 11:46 Keir Starmer’s digital ID plan was a lesson in how not to approach policy making. 5 Comment Heloise Dunlop Jill Rutter Institute for Government Yes Darren Jones in the Cabinet Office was handed the task of salvaging Starmer's ID card proposals. Policy making Data and digital Labour Chief secretary to the prime minister Starmer government Burnham government …
U.K.'s Burnham drops digital ID scheme to prioritise cost of living, say allies
Dubbed the ‘King of the North’ for his work as the mayor of Greater Manchester in northwestern England, Burnham will replace Keir Starmer as Prime Minister on July 20, when he says he will also unveil his cabinet team of top Ministers
Unionist parties welcome Andy Burnham’s plan to scrap digital ID ahead of his first day in No 10
As Andy Burnham prepares for his first day as prime minister, unionist parties in Northern Ireland have hailed his decision to scrap the implementation of a digital ID programme.
UK’s New Prime Minister to Scrap Digital IDs, Announce North Sea Drilling Plan
The UK’s incoming prime minister, Andy Burnham, is set to scrap the country’s controversial digital ID plan, which would have been required for residents to prove they were eligible to work. “All the time and resource that was going to be spent on a national ID scheme will go instead to where it’s most needed, such as helping with the cost of living,” Burnham’s spokesperson said in a statement. Digital IDs were first introduced in September 20…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
