Story perspectives

New PM Andy Burnham Axes £1.8bn Digital ID Programme

7/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham cancelled the £1.8 billion digital ID programme days after taking office.
Burnham became prime minister on Monday after being elected Labour leader 379 of 403 nominations, succeeding Keir Starmer.
In his speech outside 10 Downing Street, he pledged to restore stability and curb political toxicity.
Analyst Joshi Herrmann warned that fixing the economy, high borrowing costs and a ballooning welfare bill will be crucial for his success.

History

Historical Context

The Labour government passed the Identity Cards Act in 2006, issuing about 15,000 cards before the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition repealed it with the Identity Documents Act 2010, destroying the National Identity Register in early 2011. In 2024 the UK abandoned a £1.8 billion digital ID programme, echoing the earlier cost-saving, privacy-driven reversal.

1 of 2

Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham cancelled the £1.8 billion digital ID programme days after taking office.
Burnham became prime minister on Monday after being elected Labour leader 379 of 403 nominations, succeeding Keir Starmer.
In his speech outside 10 Downing Street, he pledged to restore stability and curb political toxicity.
Analyst Joshi Herrmann warned that fixing the economy, high borrowing costs and a ballooning welfare bill will be crucial for his success.

1 / 2