Burnham’s move to scrap UK’s digital ID plans earns cheers and criticism

Incoming Labour Prime Minister Andy Burnham will scrap the UK's proposed universal digital ID scheme, dubbed "BritCard," shortly after forming his government. Announced on July 20, 2026, this decision abandons the government-backed identity credential, which was initially planned as mandatory for right-to-work checks and faced significant opposition, including a petition with nearly three million signatures. The estimated £1.8 billion expenditure over three years will be redirected to other priorities. Digital inclusion campaigners welcome the move due to concerns about excluding digitally excluded citizens, while civil liberties groups see it as a win against potential overreach. However, some, like the Tony Blair Institute, regret the decision, arguing a digital ID could modernize services and prevent issues like the Windrush scandal.

Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to scrap Keir Starmer's proposed digital ID card scheme, a move his team indicates is part of a "reset of priorities." Resources earmarked for the unpopular plan will be redirected to address the cost of living crisis. The digital ID scheme, initially announced by Starmer to combat illegal working and planned for rollout by 2029, faced significant backlash from opposition parties and civil rights groups due to privacy concerns and fears of government overreach. While the exact cost savings are unclear, the decision aims to distance Burnham's government from previous controversial proposals. The government remains committed to cracking down on illegal working through existing and potentially new legislation.