Keir Starmer is expected to announce plans for a UK-wide digital ID scheme in a speech on Friday (Sep. 26). Senior government officials say the scheme could help modernise public services and reduce illegal working.
A consultation will follow, addressing how the system could work for those without smartphones or passports. The scheme would allow individuals’ IDs to be checked against a central database, building on existing online verification services introduced in 2022.
Support and criticism:
• Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden highlighted potential benefits, including easier access to services, citing Estonia as an example.
• Conservative, Reform UK, and Liberal Democrat figures have questioned effectiveness and raised civil liberties concerns.
• Open Rights Group warned of risks from data errors and privacy issues.
Employers already verify rights to work online or via physical documents, but the new system could offer a more consistent national approach.
Source: BBC News
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