Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham intends to suspend work on the digital national ID card project in one of his first decisions after taking office, ending one of his predecessor Keir Starmer's most prominent projects.

A government spokesperson said the funds allocated for the project will be redirected to more urgent priorities, primarily easing the cost-of-living burden, rather than spending on the digital ID system.

Starmer had announced the project last September as part of his plan to curb illegal immigration, but it faced widespread criticism in Britain, where the idea of national ID cards has been politically and publicly rejected for years.

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The new government confirmed it will continue to tighten measures to combat illegal work, pointing out that employers are still required to conduct digital verification of workers' right to work in the United Kingdom.

The digital ID system was scheduled to launch by 2029, before Starmer's government backtracked on making it a mandatory condition for employment, with the project estimated to cost around £1.8 billion over three years.