Andy Burnham, set to take office as Prime Minister on Monday, has announced his intention to scrap the controversial digital ID scheme, which was estimated to cost around £1.8 billion ($2.4 billion) over three years. This decision comes as part of his strategy to prioritize pressing issues such as the cost of living, which has become a significant concern for many Britons.
Burnham's spokesperson emphasized that resources previously allocated to the ID scheme will now be redirected to areas of greater need. The digital ID initiative, aimed at combating illegal migration, faced criticism from a cross-party committee and was previously deemed a 'fiasco' by lawmakers.
Julia Lopez, a Conservative MP, criticized the Labour Party for wasting funds on the project, while Lucy Powell, deputy leader of the Labour Party, noted that although the savings from scrapping the scheme may be modest, it represents a shift in focus towards more urgent government priorities.
Additionally, Powell confirmed that Burnham would adhere to the previous government's stance on oil and gas drilling in the North Sea, indicating continuity in certain energy policies despite the leadership change