UK's Next Leader to Drop National ID Card Plan, Shift £1.8 Billion to Household Costs

Andy Burnham, the UK's incoming Labour Prime Minister, said on July 20, 2026, that he will cancel the planned 'BritCard' — a single digital ID card the government proposed in September 2025 for all citizens. The £1.8 billion ($2.4 billion) set aside for it will instead help people with everyday living costs. A public petition against the card had drawn nearly three million signatures.