The digital ID proposal, first introduced by Labour in October, has been scrapped under new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham.
Labour’s digital ID scheme was mired by controversy with vague expectations around privacy. In his first days in office, Burnham has started taking decisive action from the outset to make the priority about addressing the ‘Cost of Living’ crisis during his tenure.
He will shift the focus to ensure that the British public understands that “help is coming” from the government to ease the Cost of Living Crisis, de-prioritising plans for a government-issued digital ID.
They will address the daily priorities for people up and down the country and reallocate spending on policies. The Digital ID scheme had been understated after public backlash and privacy concerns. It was made a voluntary, rather than mandatory, scheme, but the change turned the proposal into a “fiasco” impacting people’s confidence.
Critics also said it was not a well-executed plan with vague understanding of what the ID scheme might look like.
DSIT axed
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has also been axed as Burnham comes into power and a fresh AI minister role will be created and take attention at the top table of government.
DSIT’s divisions will be split across other government faculties and there will be no technology secretary appointed as Burnham sacks Liz Kendall.
