Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to scrap Sir Keir Starmer's digital ID scheme in what his team describes as a "reset of priorities." The unpopular plan, which faced a petition opposing its introduction that amassed an eye-watering three million signatures, will be abandoned. Resources previously allocated to the scheme will be redirected to help with the cost of living.
Burnham's Shift in Focus
Burnham's spokesperson confirmed the change, stating: "One of the first things this government will do is put its focus where people need it right now: creating breathing space and delivering change they can feel in their everyday lives." The spokesperson added: "That means 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."
The new Labour leader's team aims to distance Burnham from unpopular choices made by Starmer. The spokesperson emphasized: "This government is determined to bring power back to communities, instead of hoarding it in Whitehall. We will work every day to lift this country back up to where it belongs – with growth in every postcode, and hope in every heart."
Mixed Reactions from Opponents and Supporters
The decision has drawn contrasting responses. Alexander Iosad, director of government innovation at the Tony Blair Institute, defended the concept of digital IDs, saying: "Make no mistake, if the government announces a universal digital ID to help improve our public services, it would be one of the most important steps taken by this or any government to make British citizens’ everyday lives easier and build trust."
However, Conservative MP David Davis warned of potential risks: "No system is immune to failure, and we have seen time and again governments and tech giants fail to protect people’s personal data. If world-leading companies cannot protect our data, I have little faith that Whitehall would be able to do better."
Liberal Democrats and Privacy Groups Voice Concerns
The Liberal Democrats also opposed the scheme, stating they could not support "a mandatory digital ID where people are forced to turn over their private data just to go about their daily lives." Jim Killock from the Open Rights Group criticized the original plan, saying Labour was "at risk of creating a digital surveillance infrastructure that will change everyone’s daily lives and establish a pre-crime state where we constantly have to prove who we are."
The scrapping of the digital ID scheme marks a significant early policy shift for Burnham's incoming government, signaling a focus on immediate economic relief over long-term digital infrastructure projects.
