Burnham to scrap Starmer’s digital ID plans after 3M-strong petition
- Source
- The Guardian
- Time
- 9:46 PM
- Weight
- 94/100
Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to cancel the United Kingdom's planned digital identity card scheme as one of his first acts in office. The decision marks a significant policy shift from his predecessor, Keir Starmer, who introduced the "Brit card" proposal last year to combat illegal employment and secure national borders.
Burnham’s team indicated that the administrative and financial resources previously earmarked for the multi-billion pound project will instead be redirected toward addressing the country's cost-of-living crisis. The digital ID initiative faced intense opposition from civil rights groups, privacy campaigners, and the public, culminating in a petition with approximately three million signatures.