Burnham to Scrap Starmer’s £2bn Digital ID Scheme
Andy Burnham will axe Sir Keir Starmer’s flagship digital identity programme when he takes office on Monday, redirecting the money — put at around £2bn — to the cost of living in what his team calls a “reset of priorities”. It is the first major policy break from his predecessor that Mr Burnham has confirmed before entering Downing Street. The scheme, announced last year for right-to-work checks, drew a petition of roughly three million signatures.
Digital ID was Sir Keir’s answer to illegal working but was watered down to a voluntary scheme after a backbench and public revolt. Scrapping it lets Mr Burnham signal distance from his predecessor cheaply and popularly, while framing his premiership around everyday priorities. A spokesman said “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”. Allies say he will also unwind limits on jury-trial rights. Watch Monday’s Downing Street speech for whether the “reset” comes with specific reinvestment figures, or reads as symbolism.