{"id":921432,"date":"2026-07-21T05:12:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T10:12:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/21\/burnham-government-to-drop-digital-id-and-tech-department\/"},"modified":"2026-07-21T05:12:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T10:12:11","slug":"burnham-government-to-drop-digital-id-and-tech-department","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/21\/burnham-government-to-drop-digital-id-and-tech-department\/","title":{"rendered":"Burnham government to drop digital ID and tech department"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"content-header\">\n<h2>Controversial ID Scheme and government technology department to be tossed on scrap heap as new prime minister enters 10 Downing Street<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"content-center\">\n<ul>\n<li><i data-icon=\"1\"><\/i><\/li>\n<li><i data-icon=\"2\"><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"contributors-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ttgtmedia.com\/rms\/computerweekly\/Karl-Flinders-profile-pic-2022-140x180px.jpg\" alt=\"Karl Flinders\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><span>By<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.techtarget.com\/contributor\/Karl-Flinders\">Karl Flinders,<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n\tPublished: <span>20 Jul 2026 12:00<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<section id=\"content-body\">\n<p>Andy Burnham\u2019s premiership is set to start with the scrapping of controversial plans for a digital ID scheme for all UK adults.<\/p>\n<p>The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is also likely to be dumped as Keir Starmer ends his time in Number 10.<\/p>\n<p>The digital ID scheme aims to create a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366637124\/What-will-happen-with-Starmers-digital-ID-scheme-in-2026\">national ID<\/a>\u00a0to make public services quicker and more secure to access, with the potential to include private sector services, such as gym memberships or parcel collections.<\/p>\n<p>It was first\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366632094\/Government-to-introduce-mandatory-digital-ID\">announced by prime minister Keir Starmer<\/a> in September 2025, but has since been watered down. It was originally planned to be mandatory for right-to-work checks, but in January 2026, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366637189\/UK-government-backtracks-on-plans-for-mandatory-digital-ID\">government backtracked<\/a>\u00a0on this and removed the compulsory aspect, following uproar from privacy campaigners.<\/p>\n<p>According to reports, a Burnham spokesperson said the ID scheme would be ended to allow the government to redirect resources. \u201cThe time and resource that was going to be spent on a national ID scheme will go instead to where it&#8217;s most needed, such as helping with the cost of living,\u201d the spokesperson was reported as saying.<\/p>\n<p>Just months ago, the King\u2019s Speech <a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366643097\/Kings-Speech-paves-the-way-for-digital-ID\">indicated Starmer\u2019s government would make a renewed effort<\/a> in the implementation of the ID plan.<\/p>\n<section data-menu-title=\"Tech department to be cut\">\n<h2><i data-icon=\"1\"><\/i>Tech department to be cut<\/h2>\n<p>Burnham\u2019s reported plans to ditch DSIT and spread its activities across other departments has come in for criticism from the IT sector. IT industry trade bodies TechUK and the Startup Coalition have written to Burnham describing it as the \u201cwrong change at the wrong moment\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The letter from TechUK\u2019s CEO Julian David and executive director at Startup Coalition Dom Hallas warned Burnham that scrapping the department will send a \u201cterrible signal to a sector growing at 10% a year\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDSIT works because it brings researchers, AI practitioners, innovators and policymakers together in one department \u2013 a single front door that gives the tech sector clarity, pace and a government partner that understands technology and champions the sector in the Cabinet,\u201d the incoming Prime Minister was told in the letter.<\/p>\n<p>He was warned that \u201cbreaking up the work of DSIT endeavours\u201d such as the AI Safety Institute, the Sovereign AI fund and Government Digital Service \u201cwould slow momentum at a time when pace is essential for both the growth of the economy and our standing on the global stage\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The IT trade bodies said they supported Burnham\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smeweb.com\/andy-burnham-promises-business-rates-reform-support-for-entrepreneurs-and-a-no-10-north-as-the-nerve-centre-of-a-rewired-britain\/\">vision to bring growth to every postcode in Britain<\/a>, but added: \u201cWe want you to be able to leverage the tech sector to deliver on your ambitions to change our economy and society for the better. To do so, we should use this moment to strengthen tech leadership at the heart of government, not dismantle it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Burnham has already stated that he will continue to fuel the government\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366645687\/Prime-minister-in-waiting-Andy-Burnham-takes-aim-at-outsourcing\">strategy to insource government work<\/a>, including IT.<\/p>\n<p>According to a\u00a0<i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/c8298713-4480-4b8a-931a-de29c9d3ba33?syn-25a6b1a6=1\">Financial Times report<\/a><\/i>,\u00a0he told a meeting of Labour MPs he would curb outsourcers and bring government contracts in house, putting control into public hands.<\/p>\n<p>Burnham is quoted as criticising \u201can outsourced state with little accountability\u201d as he spoke to MPs. His desire to bring government contracts in house is already a policy of the Labour government, but his statement to MPs adds urgency as he will be eager to hit the ground running with his stated plan.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"DigDeeperSplash\">\n<h4>\n\t\t\t<i data-icon=\"m\"><\/i>Read more on IT suppliers<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a id=\"DigDeeperItem-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366643785\/Property-sector-plans-for-digital-ID-collapse-over-government-policy-concerns\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/terraced-houses-uk-teamjackson-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/terraced-houses-uk-teamjackson-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg 960w,https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/terraced-houses-uk-teamjackson-adobe.jpg 1280w\" alt ><\/p>\n<h5>Property sector plans for digital ID collapse over government policy concerns<\/h5>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/rms\/computerweekly\/Bryan-Glick-profile-pic-2022-140x180px.jpg\" alt=\"BryanGlick\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><span>By: <span>Bryan\u00a0Glick<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a id=\"DigDeeperItem-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366643374\/Government-digital-ID-launch-was-a-fiasco-report-finds\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/London-Westminster-Houses-of-Parliament-Photocreo-Bednarek-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/London-Westminster-Houses-of-Parliament-Photocreo-Bednarek-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg 960w,https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/London-Westminster-Houses-of-Parliament-Photocreo-Bednarek-adobe.jpg 1280w\" alt ><\/p>\n<h5>Government digital ID launch was a fiasco, report finds<\/h5>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/rms\/lis pic.jpeg\" alt=\"LisEvenstad\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><span>By: <span>Lis\u00a0Evenstad<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a id=\"DigDeeperItem-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366640072\/The-UK-governments-digital-identity-scheme-Dystopian-nightmare-or-modernised-public-services\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/Hero Images\/London-parliament-digital-mobile-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/Hero%20Images\/London-parliament-digital-mobile-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg 960w,https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/Hero%20Images\/London-parliament-digital-mobile-adobe.jpeg 1280w\" alt ><\/p>\n<h5>The UK government\u2019s digital identity scheme: Dystopian nightmare or modernised public services?<\/h5>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/rms\/computerweekly\/Bryan-Glick-profile-pic-2022-140x180px.jpg\" alt=\"BryanGlick\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><span>By: <span>Bryan\u00a0Glick<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a id=\"DigDeeperItem-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366639706\/Government-wants-to-build-digital-ID-system-in-house\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/London-Westminster-Parliament-government-fazon-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/London-Westminster-Parliament-government-fazon-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg 960w,https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/London-Westminster-Parliament-government-fazon-adobe.jpg 1280w\" alt ><\/p>\n<h5>Government wants to build digital ID system in-house<\/h5>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/rms\/lis pic.jpeg\" alt=\"LisEvenstad\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><span>By: <span>Lis\u00a0Evenstad<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366646014\/Burnham-government-to-drop-digital-ID-and-tech-department\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><br \/>\n Tomi Lupo<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Controversial ID Scheme and government technology department to be tossed on scrap heap as new prime minister enters 10 Downing Street By Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA Published: 20 Jul 2026 12:00 Andy Burnham\u2019s premiership is set to start with the scrapping of controversial plans for a digital ID scheme for all<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":921433,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[44637,284,46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-921432","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-burnham","category-government","category-technology"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/921432","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=921432"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/921432\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/921433"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=921432"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=921432"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=921432"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}