Technology

UK government faces backlash over apparent U-turn on mandatory digital IDs for work

Thursday, 23 October 2025 4:06AM UTC

The UK government’s shift towards making digital IDs compulsory by 2029 has sparked criticism from opposition parties, civil liberties groups, and critics concerned about access and privacy, challenging previous assurances of non-digital alternatives.

Labour has recently come under scrutiny for apparently reversing its stance on the mandatory use of digital IDs in the UK, stirring controversy over broken promises and concerns about accessibility and privacy. Just months ago, Sir Chris Bryant, then a minister responsible for the digital ID scheme, assured Parliament that citizens would be able to use physical identification "in every circumstance," reinforcing that digital verification would not be compulsory. This assurance was echoed in March when Bryant stated there would always be an option for non-digital ID usage, highlighting the Government's commitment to inclusivity and voluntary participation in digital services.

However, this commitment appears to conflict sharply with the latest announcement from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer who declared that, by 2029, digital IDs will be compulsory for anyone wishing to work in the UK. The scheme will initially be mandatory for prove-your-right-to-work checks and is expected to expand to include benefits data, intending to streamline access to public services and tackle fraud. The Government plans to roll the scheme out before the next general election, emphasising its role in combating illegal immigration and modernising public service delivery.

The Liberal Democrats have been vocal critics of this shift. Earlier in the year, they tabled an amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill to safeguard the right to non-digital identification for individuals without internet access, those with privacy concerns, or others who simply prefer not to use digital IDs. Labour rejected this amendment, with Bryant reaffirming that non-digital systems would remain available. The recent mandatory approach, therefore, has prompted accusations of a U-turn, with Lib Dem MP Steff Aquarone condemning the Government for breaking its promise and calling for clarity. Aquarone has also raised concerns about potential breaches of the Equality Act 2010, citing the challenges the mandatory scheme could pose for elderly, disabled, or otherwise digitally excluded individuals.

Civil liberties groups have echoed these alarms. Jasleen Chaggar, legal and policy officer at Big Brother Watch, called the mandatory digital ID plan "undemocratic," urging the Government to abandon its ill-conceived approach and guarantee legal protections for non-digital ID options. The Government, meanwhile, asserts it will provide physical alternatives for those without smartphones, such as pensioners, and an outreach programme including face-to-face assistance for people struggling with digital access. For students, pensioners, and non-workers, the digital ID will remain optional.

The digital ID scheme itself represents a significant push towards modernising identity verification and public service access in the UK. Announced officially in September 2025, the scheme will store personal information—including name, date of birth, nationality or residency status, and a photo—securely on smartphones. It forms part of a broader digital transformation including initiatives like digital driving licences and the GOV.UK One Login and Wallet systems, which aim to unify access to government services and documentation.

Industry data suggests a significant rise in digital ID adoption, with projections estimating that the number of UK residents using digital identity apps will escalate from nearly 7 million in 2025 to over 25 million by 2029. This growth is driven by initiatives to enhance public sector identity verification and streamline processes across various sectors, reflecting a Government strategy to build user trust in the digital infrastructure.

Yet, the controversy over mandatory usage underscores the tension between technological advancement and the need to protect individual rights and inclusivity. The Government's promise to maintain physical ID options remains unconvincing to some critics, particularly as the legal right to non-digital ID usage does not appear explicitly guaranteed within the new legislation beyond references to existing equality laws. As the public consultation on digital ID unfolds in the coming weeks, these debates are likely to intensify, with a clear focus on how the UK balances security, convenience, and civil liberties in an increasingly digital age.

📌 Reference Map:

Paragraph 1 – ^[1] (Daily Mail)
Paragraph 2 – ^[1] (Daily Mail), ^[2] (UK Government), ^[3] (AP News)
Paragraph 3 – ^[1] (Daily Mail)
Paragraph 4 – ^[1] (Daily Mail)
Paragraph 5 – ^[1] (Daily Mail)
Paragraph 6 – ^[4] (Reuters), ^[5] (Commons Library), ^[6] (Wikipedia)
Paragraph 7 – ^[7] (Identity Week)

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15217587/No10-accused-U-turn-digital-IDs.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-digital-id-scheme-to-be-rolled-out-across-uk - The UK government has announced a new digital ID scheme aimed at combating illegal working and simplifying access to government services. The digital ID will be mandatory for Right to Work checks by the end of the current Parliament. It will be available to all UK citizens and legal residents, stored securely on their smartphones, and will include personal information such as name, date of birth, nationality or residency status, and a photo. The scheme is designed to improve security and streamline public service delivery.
https://apnews.com/article/03264e6728c88892b280afcd1323395b - The UK government, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has announced the introduction of mandatory digital ID cards for British citizens and permanent residents. The digital ID will be required to obtain employment in the UK and is also intended to simplify access to public services such as healthcare and welfare. The initiative aims to curb illegal immigration and is set to be in place before the next general election, scheduled by 2029.
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britain-introduce-digital-driving-licences-this-year-2025-01-21/ - Britain will introduce digital driving licences later this year as part of an initiative to leverage data for enhancing public services. The digital licences will be stored in a new GOV.UK digital wallet on smartphones, allowing users to easily verify their age for purchasing restricted items and confirm their right to drive. Enhanced security features on smartphones, such as facial recognition, will ensure the security of these documents even if the device is lost.
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10369/ - The UK government is developing two related digital identity services: UK One Login, a unified account system for accessing government services, and UK Wallet, an app for storing government-issued documents like driving licences. These are separate from the mandatory digital ID scheme announced in September 2025, which will be built on GOV.UK One Login and Wallet. The mandatory scheme aims to make digital IDs compulsory for proving the right to work in the UK.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Digital_ID - The UK Digital ID, also known as 'BritCard' or 'Brit Card', is a proposed digital identity scheme for adult residents of the United Kingdom. Announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on 25 September 2025, the scheme aims to tackle illegal migrant crossings and will be mandatory for proving the right to work. The digital ID will be stored on users' phones and will include personal information such as name, date of birth, nationality or residency status, and a photo.
https://identityweek.net/25-5-million-uk-citizens-to-use-digital-id-apps-by-2029-accelerated-by-gov-uk-app/ - A Jupiter Study confirms the upturn of digital identity usership as the UK government next prioritises issuing ID cards and digital wallets for citizens. UK residents currently using digital identity apps to verify themselves and log into services are predicted to rise from 6.9 million in 2025 to 25.5 million in 2029. The state-issued wallet is planned to boost identity verification technology harnessed by the public sector, gaining user trust.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative presents recent developments regarding the UK's mandatory digital ID scheme, announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on 25 September 2025. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britain-introduce-mandatory-digital-id-cards-2025-09-26/?utm_source=openai)) The earliest known publication date of similar content is 26 September 2025, indicating the information is current. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/03264e6728c88892b280afcd1323395b?utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([bigbrotherwatch.org.uk](https://bigbrotherwatch.org.uk/press-releases/big-brother-watch-warns-of-checkpoint-britain-in-vital-new-report-examining-the-dangers-of-digital-id/?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: The report includes direct quotes from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Liberal Democrat MP Steff Aquarone. A search reveals that similar quotes have appeared in earlier material, suggesting potential reuse. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/03264e6728c88892b280afcd1323395b?utm_source=openai)) Variations in wording are present, but the core message remains consistent. No online matches were found for some quotes, raising the possibility of original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a reputable UK newspaper. However, the report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([bigbrotherwatch.org.uk](https://bigbrotherwatch.org.uk/press-releases/big-brother-watch-warns-of-checkpoint-britain-in-vital-new-report-examining-the-dangers-of-digital-id/?utm_source=openai))

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The claims about the UK's mandatory digital ID scheme align with recent announcements and reports. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britain-introduce-mandatory-digital-id-cards-2025-09-26/?utm_source=openai)) The narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([bigbrotherwatch.org.uk](https://bigbrotherwatch.org.uk/press-releases/big-brother-watch-warns-of-checkpoint-britain-in-vital-new-report-examining-the-dangers-of-digital-id/?utm_source=openai))

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative presents current information on the UK's mandatory digital ID scheme, with some quotes potentially reused from earlier material. The source is reputable, but the inclusion of recycled content warrants further scrutiny. The claims are plausible and align with recent developments, but the freshness of the content is a concern.

Digital ID
UK politics
privacy and civil liberties