Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the then Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 6 February (HC109545) and to the Government press release New PM cuts tax on household electricity bills to give breathing space on cost of living, published on 21 July, whether the digital ID scheme was funded or unfunded; and what plans they have to publish itemised departmental savings that were previously identified from existing budgets through reprioritisation within the existing spending review settlement.

The Office for Budget Responsibility estimated that the Digital ID programme could cost £1.8 billion over three years. Cancellation of the programme removes a future cost pressure on public finances. In relation to the reduction in electricity VAT, funding can be reallocated between years and the future of VAT on electricity will be set out at the Budget, where any further decisions will be funded.