Andy Burnham will become Prime Minister tomorrow and is expected to provide an update on the digital ID scheme, confirming plans to scrap it. The incoming Labour leader will take over from Sir Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation last month and will resign to the King tomorrow morning.
Burnham's Path to Power
Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, won the Labour leadership contest with overwhelming support from Labour MPs, making it mathematically impossible for any rival to challenge him. He will follow Sir Keir to Buckingham Palace to be asked to form a government. Burnham has stated he is finalising his cabinet ahead of becoming prime minister.
Digital ID Scrapped
Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell said scrapping digital ID will help Burnham's government bring a "laser focus" to tackling the cost of living. Amid questions about savings, Powell said the decision was "not just about the money" but would also "clear the decks" of potential distractions from Burnham's agenda. She pointed to the Office for Budget Responsibility's claim last year, rejected by the Government at the time, that digital ID could cost £1.8bn over three years.
The incoming prime minister's team has indicated the decision is part of a "reset of priorities" that Burnham will set out when he takes over. Sir Keir announced digital ID plans ahead of last year's Labour conference, saying it would be mandatory for right-to-work checks as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration. Support for digital IDs collapsed after the announcement, and ministers later said it would be voluntary.
Cost of Living and Devolution
In his first speech from Downing Street, Burnham is expected to set out measures to provide "breathing space" on the cost of living, while elaborating on his commitment to devolve power away from Westminster and ensure economic growth throughout the UK. He has pledged to reach out to other parties and end a culture of political "point scoring" at Westminster.
Cross-Party Reactions
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said he had already written to Burnham to offer support for cross-party talks. Leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch said she would "score as many points as possible" if it means the right thing for the country.
