As Andy Burnham prepares to take office as Prime Minister on Monday, his team is signalling a dramatic shift in priorities. In a move that will no doubt raise eyebrows among Labour loyalists, Mr Burnham is set to scrap Keir Starmer's plans for digital ID cards and reallocate the resources towards tackling the cost of living crisis.
The decision marks a significant departure from the previous administration's policies, which had sparked widespread public disapproval. The digital ID card proposal, unveiled last September, had attracted over three million signatures opposing its introduction. Critics argued that the scheme would erode civil liberties and impose unnecessary bureaucratic burdens on citizens.
A spokesperson for Mr Burnham explained: "Our focus will be on creating breathing space and delivering tangible benefits to people's everyday lives. We're redirecting resources from a national ID scheme to tackle the cost of living crisis, which is where they're most needed." The government's commitment to empowering communities and fostering growth across the country remains unchanged.
Keir Starmer had originally pitched the digital ID scheme as a 'Brit card' aimed at verifying individuals' right to work in the UK. However, concerns about immigration were never fully addressed, and the financial implications of scrapping the project remain unclear. The Office for Budget Responsibility estimated the scheme could cost around £1.8 billion, but officials disputed this figure.
The concept of national ID cards has a contentious history in the UK, dating back to Tony Blair's government passing legislation in 2006 that was never implemented. The plans were ultimately revoked by the coalition government in 2011. Mr Burnham's decision to scrap digital ID cards is seen as an attempt to distance himself from some of his predecessor's policies and signal a new era for Labour.