Andy Burnham's First Move: Ditching Digital ID for Cost of Living

WHO:

Techmeme - Andy Burnham is the incoming Prime Minister of the UK.

Techmeme - Keir Starmer is the previous leader associated with the digital ID card plans.

WHAT:

Techmeme - Andy Burnham is expected to scrap the plans for digital ID cards.

BBC - Burnham's spokesperson stated that 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."

Techmeme - A petition opposing the digital ID cards attracted approximately 3 million signatures last year.

WHY:

BBC - The decision to drop the digital ID plans is aimed at reallocating resources to address the cost of living crisis.

(UPDATED July 18, 2026 22:12 UTC)

Andy Burnham has been announced as the new Prime Minister of the UK, and he is expected to scrap the previous government's plans for digital ID cards. A spokesperson for Burnham indicated that the resources originally allocated for the national ID scheme will instead be redirected to tackle pressing issues like the cost of living crisis. This decision comes after a petition opposing the digital ID cards garnered around 3 million signatures last year.