Andy Burnham will signal a major break with the Keir Starmer government by ditching controversial £2bn plans to introduce digital ID, reports BritPanorama.
The policy had faced strong opposition from many Labour MPs who viewed it as a waste of resources and an infringement on personal freedoms, recalling past attempts by Tony Blair and Gordon Brown to implement similar measures.
Sir Keir had already reversed plans to make the scheme compulsory amid internal dissent, and now it appears set to be scrapped altogether. The move underscores a broader shift as Burnham seeks to address issues that previously left Starmer’s government beleaguered.
Sources indicate Burnham is also set to eliminate reforms aimed at diluting the right to a jury trial and intends to reintegrate rebel MP Karl Turner into the parliamentary party after his suspension for opposing these proposals.
The Independent has learned that the new prime minister aims to chart a roadmap to restore 0.7 per cent of GDP dedicated to international aid, a step aimed at enhancing the UK’s soft power.
However, the decision to scrap the digital ID initiative reflects the incoming government’s commitment to reset priorities and concentrate on the immediate challenges facing the population across the UK.
This reprioritization signals a shift towards enhancing daily life and bolstering local economies instead of pursuing costly national schemes.
A spokesperson for Burnham stated: “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 further emphasized that resources originally allocated for the national ID scheme will be redirected to pressing issues such as alleviating the cost of living crisis.
“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,” the spokesperson added.
Despite the abandonment of the digital ID plan, sources noted Burnham is committed to maintaining efforts against illegal working.
The new administration plans to build on the previous government’s progress in combating illegal employment, which resulted in nearly 13,000 enforcement visits and over 9,000 arrests in 2025.
Mandatory right-to-work checks will remain a requirement for all employers, who already have the capability to conduct them digitally — a system deemed more secure than traditional paper documents, which are more susceptible to forgery.
The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will extend right-to-work checks to gig economy and zero-hours workers in sectors such as construction, food delivery, beauty, courier, and warehousing for the first time.
