UK to introduce mandatory digital ID for work
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said a new digital ID system will secure jobs, tighten border controls, and simplify access to services across the UK.
The UK government has announced plans to make digital ID mandatory for proving the right to work by the end of the current Parliament, expected no later than 2029. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the scheme would tighten controls on illegal employment while offering wider benefits for citizens.
The digital ID will be stored on smartphones in a format similar to contactless payment cards or the NHS app. It is expected to include core details such as name, date of birth, nationality or residency status, and a photo.
The system aims to provide a more consistent and secure alternative to paper-based checks, reducing the risk of forged documents and streamlining verification for employers.
Officials believe the scheme could extend beyond employment, potentially simplifying access to driving licences, welfare, childcare, and tax records.
A consultation later in the year will decide whether additional data, such as residential addresses, should be integrated. The government has also pledged accessibility for citizens unable to use smartphones.
The proposal has faced political opposition, with critics warning of privacy risks, administrative burdens, and fears of creating a de facto compulsory ID card system.
Despite these objections, the government argues that digital ID will strengthen border controls, counter the shadow economy, and modernise public service access.
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