UK's Incoming PM Burnham to Cancel 'BritCard' Digital ID, Redirect £1.8B to Cost-of-Living

Incoming Labour Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced July 20, 2026, that he will scrap the UK's proposed 'BritCard' digital ID — a universal government-backed identity credential proposed in September 2025. The £1.8 billion ($2.4 billion) saved will go toward cost-of-living relief. A parliamentary petition opposing the scheme had gathered nearly three million signatures.