Government U-turns on controversial digital ID plan

The UK Government has scrapped controversial plans for a mandatory digital ID scheme.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer had previously said that anyone working in the UK would need to be signed up to the scheme as a way of clamping down on immigrants working illegally.

But while right to work checks will be done digitally by 2029, the government said signing up to the digital ID programme would be optional.

Appearing on the Today programme, transport secretary Heidi Alexander said the government was still “absolutely committed” to mandatory digital right to work checks, including through biometric passports.

She said: “The digital ID could be one way in which you prove your eligibility to work through a digital right to work check

“At the moment we've got a paper-based system - there's no proper records kept. It makes it very difficult then to target enforcement action sensibly against businesses that are employing illegal workers.”

But Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the decision was “another U-turn”.

“Good riddance. It was a terrible policy anyway,” she said.

The decision is the latest climbdown by a government which has already backtracked on welfare reforms, the winter fuel payment and inheritance tax for farmers.

It comes after nearly three million people signed a parliamentary petition opposing the introduction of digital IDs.

A government spokesperson said: “We are committed to mandatory digital right to work checks.

“Currently right to work checks include a hodge podge of paper-based systems with no record of checks ever taking place. This is open to fraud and abuse.

“Digital ID will make everyday life easier for people, ensuring public services are more personal, joined-up, and effective, while also remaining inclusive.”