The UK government has dropped plans requiring workers to sign up to its digital ID scheme in order to prove their right to work in the UK.
This follows an intense backlash to the contentious plans to introduce a free digital ID for both nationals and those residing in the country in a bid to curb illegal migration.
Last year, the government first announced the policy, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer telling the audience: “You will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID. It’s as simple as that.”
Starmer said the ID card would be introduced by 2029, and while it would not be mandatory, it would be required to prove the right to work.
Finance minister Rachel Reeves confirmed the U-turn by her embattled government on Wednesday.
After officials briefed British media late Tuesday that the new ID would no longer be mandatory for employment, Reeves insisted the right to work would still become contingent on providing a form of digital verification.
“We are saying that you will need a mandatory digital ID to be able to work in the UK,” she told the BBC.
“Now the difference is whether that has to be one piece of ID, a digital ID card, or whether it could be an e-visa or an e-passport,” Reeves added.
“We’re pretty relaxed about what form that takes.”
The mandatory digital ID policy, unveiled by Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer in September, had sparked fierce opposition from rival political parties and public
concern.
Some criticism, including from far-right figures, promoted unproven claims that it will be used to boost government control over people’s lives.
They included fearmongering that digital ID will be used to store data on vaccinations and carbon footprint, and limit access to flying and food, which the government has vehemently denied.
