Incoming UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham will scrap plans to introduce a national digital identity card scheme, redirecting the funding towards easing the cost-of-living crisis, a government spokesperson said on Saturday.
The proposal, unveiled by outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer last September as part of efforts to curb illegal immigration, faced strong opposition in a country that has long resisted national ID cards.
The government said the funds allocated to the scheme will instead support priority areas, including measures to help households cope with rising living costs.
Despite abandoning the digital ID plan, Burnham's government said it will continue cracking down on illegal employment. Employers will still be legally required to verify workers' right to work, with existing digital verification systems remaining in place.
The digital identity program was expected to cost £1.8 billion over three years and had originally been planned for rollout by 2029.
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