Burnham to Scrap Digital ID to Focus on Cost of Living Policies

Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.HomePMN BusinessBurnham to Scrap Digital ID to Focus on Cost of Living PoliciesAndy Burnham will ditch plans for a government-issued digital ID for all British adults in a “reset of priorities” when he becomes prime minister on Monday.Author of the article: You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — Andy Burnham will ditch plans for a government-issued digital ID for all British adults in a “reset of priorities” when he becomes prime minister on Monday.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountResources from the programme will instead be redirected toward “where it’s most needed, such as helping with the cost of living,” a spokesperson for the Labour leader said late on Saturday.The programme, which the UK’s fiscal watchdog had estimated would cost £600 million ($807 million) a year, sparked controversy when it was approved by Keir Starmer last year. It was aimed at tackling illegal migration, but met with a public backlash including a petition that garnered over three million signatures. The government dropped plans for it to be a mandatory sign-up, with a public consultation launching in March framing the ID as needed for right-to-work checks, but not for access to public services.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThe move is the latest in a series of measures Burnham is eyeing in his early days of office, as he plans a series of public statements to signal a change from the previous government under Starmer, including a greater emphasis on the regions.“This government is determined to bring power back to communities, instead of hoarding it in Whitehall,” the representative for Burnham said.The Labour leader is also preparing to announce new drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea, as well as taking control of Thames Water. His team has asked the civil service to draw up plans for new energy and water policies with a number of options are being considered, Bloomberg previously reported. These include signaling a willingness to approve new drilling at the Jackdaw gas and Rosebank oil fields off the coast of Scotland, and an expansion of tie-backs which allow further drilling on or near existing ones.As for Thames Water, the civil service has also been asked to line up an announcement on public control of the utility. One possible option is putting Thames Water into special administration, a form of temporary nationalization.This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.