Burnham scraps Starmer digital ID scheme in first major policy pledge

Scrapping digital ID is Andy Burnham’s first notable policy intervention.

Burnham, who is set to become prime minister on Monday, has been tight-lipped when it comes to specific policy proposals.

However, he has announced that Sir Keir Starmer’s much maligned digital ID is for the chop, with the money said to be spent on tackling the cost of living instead.

It is understood that other parts of the government’s digitisation programme, including digitising driving licences, allowing a more uniform login system, and a secure digital storage app for official documents will continue.

With the last administration already scrapping the mandatory aspect of the process, it is not clear how much this announcement will save.

A spokesperson for Burnham said: “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.

“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.

“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.”

While Starmer had initially intended his digital ID programme to be mandatory, he later U-turned after it became clear the policy was unpopular.

It was a policy that had also been championed by Sir Tony Blair, and his organisation, the Tony Blair Institute.

An estimate from the Office for Budget Responsibility put the cost of the digital ID programme at £1.8bn, although the government rejected that claim.

Burnham’s announcement has not said how much money they are looking to save from making this change.

Julia Lopez, the Conservative shadow technology secretary, said: “Labour have wasted millions of pounds on this project and now Andy Burnham is trying to pretend he’s riding to the rescue.

“After pressure from the Conservatives, mandatory ID was already apparently off the table. Andy Burnham now needs to explain whether that was untrue, or whether he is simply claiming credit for a decision that had already been taken.” (Sky News)