The UK government has abandoned plans to require workers to hold a mandatory digital identity card, in a significant U-turn following mounting political and public pressure.
The proposal, announced last year, would have introduced a new digital ID system by the end of the decade, making it a requirement for people to prove their right to work in the UK. Ministers argued the move would help tackle illegal employment and strengthen border controls.
However, the government confirmed this week that the compulsory element of the scheme will no longer go ahead. Instead, digital identification will be voluntary, with individuals able to use alternative forms of digital documentation, such as biometric passports or e-visas.
A government spokesperson said ministers remained committed to improving digital right-to-work checks but acknowledged concerns about privacy, data security and public confidence. A full public consultation will now take place before any further decisions are made.
The reversal represents a setback for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had backed the scheme as part of a wider effort to modernise public services and reduce illegal migration. The digital ID plan, informally referred to as the “Brit Card”, had been due to form a central part of the government’s employment verification system.
Political reaction
Opposition parties were quick to criticise the decision. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the move as a “humiliating U-turn”, accusing the government of lacking direction and competence.
Liberal Democrats also attacked the change, saying it showed ministers had failed to properly think through the policy before announcing it.
Within Labour ranks, some senior figures expressed frustration. Former home secretary David Blunkett, who unsuccessfully attempted to introduce ID cards under the previous Labour government, said the scheme had been poorly communicated and rushed.
Civil liberties concerns
Campaigners had warned that mandatory digital IDs could lead to excessive state surveillance and risk excluding vulnerable groups, including older people and those without easy access to digital technology. Privacy advocates also raised concerns about how personal data would be stored and protected.
The UK has a long and controversial history with identity card proposals. A national ID card scheme introduced in the 2000s was scrapped in 2010 after widespread opposition, with critics arguing it was costly, intrusive and ineffective.
What happens next
Despite the U-turn, ministers insist the underlying policy goal remains unchanged. Chancellor Rachel Reeves told the BBC the government was “relaxed” about the form digital identification takes, emphasising that employers will still be required to carry out digital right-to-work checks.
The consultation process is expected to begin later this year, as the government seeks to balance its ambitions for digital reform with concerns over privacy, public trust and political fallout.
