The UK government has formally abandoned its plans for a compulsory digital ID system for employees. This proposed policy had generated a firestorm of public outcry and political opposition ever since it was announced last September. The government has claimed that it will roll out digital right-to-work checks by 2029. This amendment will enable the use of biometric passports and other means of verification. This change is intended to simplify and reduce the burden of verification, while better ensuring the nation’s workforce isn’t undermined by illegal immigration.
The decision is the latest move in the government’s wider strategy to improve and consolidate digital services through the Gov.uk umbrella. The government plans to launch a consultation on digital ID “very shortly,” indicating an ongoing commitment to exploring digital identity solutions, albeit on a voluntary basis. Under this fresh proposal, signing up for the digital ID program is no longer mandatory. People today have more choice and agency than ever as to whether they choose to engage.
These new digital right to work checks will include biometric passports as one method of verification. This initiative is expected to simplify the employment verification process, particularly for those looking to ensure compliance with immigration laws. Employers have new legal authority, since 2022, to carry out online checks against British and Irish citizens with passports. While early, this step lays the groundwork for a more robust digital system down the road.
Their proposed digital ID program will likely build on the initial Gov.uk One Login infrastructure. It will integrate the Gov.uk Wallet systems. Over 12 million individuals have signed up for One Login already. This new service allows users to quickly and easily apply for a veteran identification card and register or update their lasting power of attorney. The Gov.uk Wallet goes a long way towards simplifying this process. It allows users to use their smartphone as a secure digital ID.
Political reaction to the original proposal was decidedly tepid. Former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had already announced that a digital ID would be required to work in the UK. Opposition arose from all sides. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called the proposal “ghastly” and “authoritarian.” Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, meanwhile, has made the abolition of the mandatory feature of this policy her strongest defence. This is a big change for the new party of Mr. Biden.
The Liberal Democrats criticized the government’s previous plans, claiming that the funds designated for this “mandatory digital ID scheme” could be better allocated “on the NHS and frontline policing instead.” They voiced their satisfaction with the administration’s rejection of what they had called an onerous and needless burden on workers.
Public opinion was equally as important in the policy’s reversal. An e-petition against digital IDs in the country has received almost three million signatures. This unprecedented response indicates a public outcry against the invasion of privacy and government overreach. Lisa Smart, a member of the Liberal Democrats, remarked humorously on the government’s frequent policy changes:
“No 10 must be bulk ordering motion sickness tablets at this rate to cope with all their U-turns.”
In a powerful political concession, the UK government is retreating from the imposition of compulsory digital identification. Simultaneously, it is pursuing new measures to provide for security while respecting individual rights. Digital right to work checks being made optional now provide a simpler and more effective solution for employers. It’ll be more attractive to workers as well.