Andy Burnham is barely through the door at No. 10, and two of Keir Starmer's flagship technology projects are already heading for the shredder. The incoming prime minister has asked officials to draw up plans to abolish the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology as part of a wider Whitehall shake-up, while simultaneously killing off the UK's digital ID scheme that Starmer spent the past year championing.
The digital ID proposal, which the Office for Budget Responsibility estimated would cost about £1.8 billion between 2026-27 and 2028-29, is being scrapped to free up resources. “One of the first things this government will do is put its focus where people need it right now: creating breathing space and delivering change they can feel in their everyday lives,” a Burnham spokesperson said. “That means all the time and resource that was going to be spent on a national ID scheme will go instead to where it's most needed, such as helping with the cost of living.” Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell echoed that message on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, saying the savings were “not an insignificant amount” but arguing the bigger benefit was freeing up the machinery of government to focus elsewhere.
“Andy Burnham scraps digital ID scheme and plans to abolish tech department, sparking backlash from experts.”
The plans to abolish DSIT – moving much of science and technology policy to a more powerful business department to be led by chief whip Jonathan Reynolds – have not yet been signed off, but they are causing significant disquiet among experts inside and outside government. Matt Clifford, an adviser on AI to both Starmer and his predecessor Rishi Sunak, posted on X: “This would be a big mistake. Right now is a critical moment for tech as an economic and national security issue. Tying up our most senior science and tech officials in a [reorganisation] wastes time and energy that’s desperately needed for the actual substance.” Dom Hallas, executive director of the Startup Coalition, added on X: “Changes to DSIT (which I’ve been getting calls about) would be a mistake.” One Labour MP referred to the plans as “getting rid of the department of the future”.
Responsibility for overseeing the use of AI in the public sector would be given to the cabinet secretary, Antonia Romeo, rather than a minister. However, in a parallel move, Burnham is set to elevate a minister for artificial intelligence to Cabinet rank for the first time, according to plans reported by The Sunday Times. The role is expected to focus on driving AI adoption across government while supporting Britain's AI industry, with details of the minister's departmental home due next week.
The backlash comes amid concerns in the Labour party about some of Burnham's early decisions, including the likely appointment of Shabana Mahmood as chancellor. With AI enthusiasts pointing to the success of DeepMind and others warning the British AI industry risks becoming a subsidiary of the American tech sector, the question now is whether Burnham's reshuffle will strengthen or weaken the UK's position in a critical global race.