Britain's new government has officially shelved a controversial digital identity card program that drew nearly 3 million signatures in opposition, redirecting the projected savings toward household energy relief. The decision marks the second time in two decades that a national ID scheme has been scrapped after a change in leadership. Main Developments Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed the cancellation of the mandatory digital ID card system introduced by his predecessor, Keir Starmer. The program would have cost £1.8 billion ($2.4 billion) over three years, though critics noted that funding for the scheme was never formally allocated in the budget. Finance Minister John Healy stated that scrapping the ID cards will fund a tax cut aimed at reducing household electricity bills. He described the move as providing "some breathing room on bills" and "some reassurance this winter" amid rising living costs. Read also: Tiny E-Reader Gets Touchscreen and Front Light Upgrade Background Starmer had argued that state-issued digital IDs would help crack down on migrants working illegally and modernize access to government services. However, the proposal faced widespread backlash, becoming the subject of the second-largest public parliamentary petition on record, with close to 3 million signatures rejecting the plan. Opponents raised concerns that mandatory ID cards would enable government surveillance. The controversy revived memories of a similar effort under Tony Blair's government in the 2000s, which was abandoned in 2011 after a new opposition-led coalition took power following a national election. Starmer announced his resignation on June 22 and was formally replaced by Burnham on Monday. Why It Matters The cancellation signals a sharp policy reversal on digital identity and surveillance powers, reflecting the political weight of public opposition when channeled through formal petition mechanisms. The decision also illustrates how cost-of-living pressures can override long-debated security initiatives, with the redirected funds directly targeting household energy expenses. What's Next The Burnham administration will now focus on implementing the electricity bill tax cut funded by the canceled ID program. The move leaves the UK without a national digital identity framework, a gap that may resurface as debates over government service modernization and immigration enforcement continue.