Digital ID to Become Mandatory for Work in the UK
Work News | New Stardom
Photo: Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Credit: UK Government / No 10 Downing Street, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
The UK government has announced the introduction of a mandatory national digital identity system, reviving one of the country’s most contentious policy debates. The scheme, confirmed today, will make holding a digital ID a condition for employment by the end of the current Parliament.
According to government documents, the digital ID will be stored in a secure wallet on a user’s phone and will be used primarily for “Right to Work” checks. Ministers frame the move as a way to curb illegal employment, simplify access to services, and strengthen border control. The ID will be free, encrypted, and initially include core details such as name, date of birth, photo, and residency status. Future consultations may extend its scope.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the rollout as an “enormous opportunity,” arguing it would modernise public services while ensuring fair access to the labour market. The government has stressed that citizens will not be required to carry a physical card or submit to random checks.
The timing of the announcement reflects mounting pressure on the Labour government to address rising small-boat crossings and public concern about illegal work. Supporters argue a national ID could deter exploitation and create efficiency across government services.
Britain has resisted mandatory identity cards for decades. The 2006 Identity Cards Act introduced a voluntary system, but it was repealed in 2011. The new scheme draws on recent initiatives such as the “One Login” digital service and the UK’s 2025 Data (Use and Access) Act, which established a regulatory framework for digital verification.
The scheme will apply to all citizens and residents, but its first mandatory use case will be employment, where digital IDs will replace current Right to Work checks.
The digital ID plan will require parliamentary approval and a formal consultation. If passed, implementation is expected to be phased, with employment checks as the first mandatory use case.
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