Burnham focuses on cost of living, scraps digital ID programme

Incoming UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham will cancel the implementation of the national digital identity programme in Britain, according to a spokesperson for the politician. The Guardian reported that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government had stated it would not make digital identity mandatory, only planning to make the programme voluntary. However, Burnham now intends to halt the programme entirely. “All the time and resources previously allocated to the national identity scheme will be redirected to sectors where they are more needed, such as helping people cope with the rising cost of living,” Burnham’s spokesperson said, as quoted by The Guardian. Burnham’s government will also focus on efforts to improve the public’s financial situation and strengthen the decentralisation of government authority. Nevertheless, the newspaper noted that it is not yet known exactly how much budget can be saved by cancelling the digital identity programme. Burnham was elected leader of the Labour Party on Friday (17/7) and is scheduled to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister on Monday (20/7).