The United Kingdom government has announced plans to introduce a mandatory digital identification system for all workers before the end of the current parliament.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the digital ID scheme would make it harder for illegal migrants to work in the UK while also giving citizens easier access to services.
Speaking at the Global Progressive Action Conference in London on Friday, Starmer said, “A secure border and controlled migration are reasonable demands, and this government is listening and delivering. Digital ID is an enormous opportunity for the UK. It will make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure. And it will also offer ordinary citizens countless benefits, like being able to prove your identity to access key services swiftly.”
According to the government, the ID, which will be stored on mobile phones, will contain details such as name, date of birth, nationality or residency status, and a photo. The consultation process on its rollout is expected to begin later this year, with legislation to follow in early 2026.
The digital ID will be required to prove the right to work in the UK by 2029. However, officials stressed that individuals will not be mandated to carry the ID at all times.
The announcement has sparked sharp criticism from opposition parties. The Conservative Party warned that the plan would increase bureaucracy for both citizens and employers, while Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey vowed to “fight tooth and nail” against what he called a wasteful policy.
The Scottish National Party also rejected the idea of compulsory IDs, saying no citizen should be forced to carry one, while Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill described the proposal as “ill-thought out” and an attack on Irish citizens’ rights.
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, dismissed the move as a political ploy, claiming it would not solve the problem of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats.
Despite the criticisms, Starmer insisted the scheme would deter illegal migration and provide a unified system for identity verification.
