Select Language:
Britain is reportedly planning to abandon its proposal requiring all workers to possess a digital identity document, according to reports from The Times, the BBC, and other media outlets on Tuesday. This shift could represent another policy reversal for the Labour government.
Last September, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that his administration would mandate digital IDs for every employee, aiming to combat illegal immigration and weaken the influence of the populist Reform UK party. The plan entailed storing the digital ID on mobile devices and making it a necessary component of employer verification during hiring processes.
However, critics, including political opponents, voiced concerns. Some argued that the ID wouldn’t effectively deter illegal migration, while others warned it might infringe on civil liberties. The Times indicated that the government decided to scrap the plan amid fears it could erode public trust, revealing that digital IDs set for rollout in 2029 would be voluntary rather than compulsory. Alternative identification methods, such as electronic visas or passports, would remain valid.
A government spokesperson stated, “We remain committed to digital right-to-work checks. Details about the digital ID scheme will be published after a comprehensive public consultation that will start soon.” The spokesperson added that current verification processes are inconsistent and prone to fraud, making a standardized digital system essential.
If the initiative for mandatory digital IDs is ultimately dropped, it would mark yet another policy retreat for Starmer, who has previously scaled back other proposals, including plans to increase taxes on farmers and reduce welfare spending, along with partial rollbacks of energy subsidy reductions aimed at the elderly.
ChatGPT
Perplexity
Gemini AI
Grok AI
