Andy Burnham, the incoming UK Prime Minister, has announced he will abandon plans for a government-issued digital ID system, redirecting resources to address the cost of living crisis.This decision follows previous scaling back of mandatory digital ID proposals under Sir Keir Starmer.

Burnham's office stated that scrapping the digital ID initiative will allow focus on 'daily priorities facing people across the country', including energy costs and economic pressures.

The move also aligns with plans to advance new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea, despite Labour's 2024 manifesto pledge to honour existing licences rather than issue new ones.

Critics, including Conservative Shadow Technology Secretary Julia Lopez, accused Burnham of claiming credit for a decision already made under Starmer.Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart welcomed the shift, calling it a relief that taxpayer funds will not be wasted on digital ID schemes.The policy change reflects broader political pressures to address immediate economic concerns over long-term technological projects.