UK Plans Mandatory Digital ID for All Workers

• Britain will require digital identity for employment by 2029, aiming to curb illegal migration and modernize access to public services.

The British government has announced plans to introduce a compulsory digital identity system for all workers by the end of the current parliamentary term. Prime Minister Keir Starmer revealed the initiative during the Global Progress Action Summit, framing it as a response to growing public concern over immigration and the rise of populist parties. The digital ID will be free of charge and stored on mobile devices, forming part of the standard employment verification process. Over time, it may also serve as a gateway to services such as childcare, welfare, and tax records.

Implementation and Technical Design

According to government sources, the digital ID will be integrated into employer checks and designed using best practices from countries like Estonia, Denmark, Australia, and India. Britain’s history with large-scale IT projects has been mixed, prompting caution around rollout timelines and system reliability. Officials aim to avoid past pitfalls by adopting proven models and focusing on mobile accessibility. The system will not replace existing identity documents but will supplement them with a unified digital format.

Starmer acknowledged that previous governments, including his own Labour Party, had hesitated to address immigration directly, allowing parties like Reform UK to gain traction. Critics argue that the digital ID will not deter illegal work, which often operates outside formal systems. Reform UK, currently leading in some polls, dismissed the plan as ineffective and symbolic. Despite opposition, polling by Ipsos in July showed that 57% of Britons support a national ID scheme, although concerns remain about data privacy and misuse.

Historical and Regional Sensitivities

Identity cards were abolished in the UK after World War II, and past attempts to reintroduce them have faced resistance over civil liberties. Labour’s previous effort in the 2000s was abandoned amid public backlash, highlighting the challenge of balancing security with personal freedom. In Northern Ireland, where many residents hold Irish passports and British symbols are politically sensitive, nationalist leaders criticized the proposal as divisive. First Minister Michelle O’Neill called the plan “ludicrous and ill-thought-out,” reflecting broader regional tensions.