The UK government has announced plans to introduce a nationwide digital ID system, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying it will help make the country’s borders “more secure”.
The system, which will be compulsory for anyone seeking employment, will not need to be carried day-to-day, officials stress. Sir Keir confirmed: “You will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID. It’s as simple as that.”
The scheme is expected to be rolled out “by the end of this Parliament”, meaning before the next general election, which must legally take place by August 2029.
Why Introduce Digital IDs?
The government says digital IDs will primarily be used to verify a person’s right to live and work in the UK. They will take the form of a smartphone app, similar to the NHS App or digital banking platforms, storing information including residency status, name, date of birth, nationality, and a photograph.
Officials argue the system will tackle illegal immigration by making it harder for people without lawful status to find employment. Currently, employers rely on National Insurance numbers to verify eligibility to work, but these can be borrowed, stolen, or misused. Attaching a photograph to the ID, the government says, will make the system more secure and reduce fraud in the shadow economy.
However, the proposal has drawn scepticism. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the plan “requires a proper national debate,” adding on X: “Can we really trust [Labour] to implement an expensive national programme that will impact all of our lives and put additional burdens on law abiding people? I doubt it.”
Liberal Democrat Shadow Attorney General Ben Maguire told the BBC that the party was “struggling” to see how digital ID would significantly affect illegal migration.
Who Will Need a Digital ID?
Digital IDs will be mandatory for anyone seeking work in the UK. For students, pensioners, or others not working, obtaining one will remain optional. Officials have emphasised that the ID will not function like a traditional identity card, meaning people will not be required to carry it in public. Ministers have ruled out using it for accessing healthcare or welfare payments, though the system will integrate with some government services to streamline applications and reduce fraud.
The government envisions that, over time, digital IDs could simplify processes such as applying for driving licences, childcare, welfare, and tax records.
Accessibility and Inclusion
Officials insist the system will be inclusive, providing alternatives for those without smartphones, passports, or reliable internet access. A public consultation later this year will explore options such as physical documents or in-person support for groups including older citizens and homeless people.
Lessons from Abroad
The UK plans to draw on digital ID models from countries such as Estonia, Australia, Denmark, and India. Estonia, which introduced a mandatory system in 2002, uses digital ID for banking, medical records, voting, and digital signatures. Australia and Denmark offer optional digital ID apps for accessing government and private services. India provides a unique 12-digit reference number for proof of residence and identity. Other nations, including Singapore, France, Greece, and the UAE, also employ digital ID systems in various forms.
A History of ID in the UK
This is not the UK’s first attempt at national ID. Tony Blair’s Labour government legislated for voluntary ID cards in the early 2000s, but the scheme was scrapped in 2011 by the Conservative-led coalition, citing cost and intrusiveness. Historically, compulsory ID cards have only been introduced during wartime. They remained in place for several years after World War Two, but Winston Churchill’s government abolished them in 1952 following concerns over costs and police use.
Concerns and Criticism
Civil liberties groups warn that even a limited digital ID could pave the way for more intrusive measures, raising questions about privacy, data security, and government overreach. Big Brother Watch and seven other organisations have written to the Prime Minister urging him to abandon the plan, warning it will “push unauthorised migrants further into the shadows”.
Public opposition is evident: more than 900,000 people have signed a petition against digital ID cards on the UK Parliament website. Former Conservative cabinet minister David Davis, who campaigned against Labour’s ID card scheme, cautioned that “no system is immune to failure,” pointing to repeated lapses in protecting personal data by both governments and tech companies.
