UK Announced Mandatory Digital IDs For Workers By 2029

The UK government has announced a new plan to introduce mandatory digital identification from all foreign workers who seek employment in the UK, starting from 2029.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a governmental press release that the scheme would “make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure” while also offering “countless benefits” such as faster access to services like driving licences, tax records and childcare.

The free IDs will be stored on mobile phones, and will work similarly to contactless payments. They will include a person’s name, date of birth, nationality, residency status, and a photo.

The government’s press release states the system will feature advanced encryption and allow credentials to be revoked if a phone is lost or stolen. The government also claims that this policy will decrease document counterfeiting and fraud, while streamlining bureaucracy.

Supporters highlight international examples. Estonia, Denmark, Australia and India have seen efficiency gains, and reduced fraud through digital ID systems. Proponents in the UK also believe it could simplify everyday processes.

However, critics have raised major concerns. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the plan would “do nothing to stop the boats” while increasing risks for “law-abiding citizens,” as reported by the BBC. The situation became “laughable” according to Reform UK because cash-based employment enables illegal work to exist, as reported by Reuters.

Civil liberties groups, including Liberty and Big Brother Watch, warn of “mass surveillance” and a loss of freedoms, reported the BBC. Some citizens worry it will force people to own smartphones or become “a hacker’s dream” by concentrating sensitive data in one place, as noted by The Guardian.

Some in the tech sector have also questioned feasibility. A professional software developer said: “I put the odds that the UK government will be able to pull off this enormous centralised IT scheme without scandal at about 0%. I have no confidence in the government’s ability to resist the honeyed words of American tech giants,” reported The Guardian.

They added that only a few major firms could handle such a database at speed, raising concerns for “digital sovereignty and data protection.”

The government says a consultation later this year will consider inclusion for people without smartphones, with legislation expected early next year.