UK Government pushes digital ID – but critics warn of risks
A new digital ID scheme will be rolled out across the UK, the UK government has announced.
The system will be available free of charge to UK citizens and legal residents, with plans for it to become mandatory for Right to Work checks by the end of the Parliament.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the scheme would make it harder for people to work in the UK illegally, while also making everyday services such as driving licence applications and childcare support easier to access.
The digital ID will be stored on people’s phones, in a similar way to the NHS App or mobile payment systems. The government said there would be no requirement for people to carry the ID, but it would be the official means of proving the right to work.
Sir Keir said: “I know working people are worried about the level of illegal migration into this country. A secure border and controlled migration are reasonable demands, and this government is listening and delivering.
“Digital ID is an enormous opportunity for the UK. It will make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure. And it will also offer ordinary citizens countless benefits, like being able to prove your identity to access key services swiftly – rather than hunting around for an old utility bill.”
The government said the scheme would build on its plans for a GOV.UK digital wallet and would be designed with inclusion “at its heart”, offering face-to-face support for people unable to use smartphones.
But civil liberties groups and opposition parties have raised concerns. Big Brother Watch said the scheme would “fundamentally change the nature of our relationship with the state and turn the UK into a ‘papers, please’ society”.
Plaid Cymru Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts MP said: “Plaid Cymru will not support any digital ID system that risks shutting people out of services or eroding civil liberties. Wales still has thousands of people who are digitally excluded, and no one should ever be locked out of vital services simply because they don’t have a smartphone or internet access.
“IDs could reduce some of the paperwork people face to access everyday services, but we are not convinced the UK Government’s plans are really about making things easier. We are concerned about data security, and we will oppose any system that risks making monetising sensitive personal data for private companies or making it more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
“And let’s get one thing clear: a majority of people in Wales identify as Welsh only. Describing this as a ‘BritCard’ is the surest way to get a policy off to a bad start here.”
The government said a public consultation will take place later this year to gather views on how the system should operate, with examples from Australia, Estonia, Denmark and India used to highlight potential benefits.
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