What's happened
The UK government has scaled back its digital ID scheme, delaying mandatory use for right-to-work checks until after 2029. While checks will still be digital, alternative documents like passports will be accepted, amid political and public opposition. The plan's future remains uncertain as consultations continue.
What's behind the headline?
The shift in the UK digital ID scheme reflects a broader political recalibration amid mounting opposition. The government’s decision to make digital IDs non-mandatory for right-to-work checks signals a retreat from its initial tough stance, likely driven by public petitions and political backlash. This move exposes the fragile consensus around digital identity initiatives, which are often portrayed as security measures but face resistance over privacy and civil liberties.
The government’s emphasis on allowing existing documents like passports and electronic visas suggests a pragmatic compromise, but it also raises questions about the scheme’s long-term viability. The delay until after 2029 indicates that digital IDs may become a peripheral tool rather than a core requirement, diminishing their intended impact on illegal migration.
This policy U-turn highlights the political risks of implementing large-scale digital identity systems without broad public support. It also underscores the challenge of balancing security objectives with civil liberties, especially in a climate of heightened privacy concerns. The next steps will likely involve further consultations, with the government trying to salvage the scheme’s credibility while avoiding further public backlash. Ultimately, this episode demonstrates the difficulty of pushing through controversial digital reforms in a politically sensitive environment, and the likelihood that digital IDs will remain a secondary option rather than a mandatory standard in the near future.
What the papers say
The Guardian reports that ministers have rolled back on a key element of the digital ID plans, making the scheme non-mandatory for right-to-work checks and allowing alternative forms of identification such as electronic visas and passports. A government spokesperson emphasized ongoing commitments to digital checks but clarified that details would be set out after a public consultation. Sky News corroborates this, stating digital IDs will no longer be mandatory by 2029, with checks still requiring digital verification but not necessarily digital IDs. Meanwhile, Reuters notes that the government had initially planned for mandatory digital IDs but has now abandoned that requirement, citing concerns over public trust and civil liberties. The Mirror highlights the public outcry, including nearly three million signatures on a petition, which contributed to the policy shift. The articles collectively portray a government retreat from its original digital ID ambitions, driven by political pressure and public opposition, with the scheme now positioned as a voluntary, rather than mandatory, tool.
How we got here
Originally announced in September 2025 by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the digital ID scheme aimed to combat illegal migration and streamline employment checks. The plan faced criticism over privacy concerns and feasibility, leading to delays and revisions. Recent reports indicate the government is now softening its stance, partly due to public petitions and political pressure, with the scheme expected to be voluntary initially and not fully mandatory until after 2029.
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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A digital identity is information on an entity used by computer systems to represent an external agent. That agent may be a person, organization, application, or device. ISO/IEC 24760-1 defines identity as "set of attributes related to an entity".