The scheme, set to be rolled out by the end of this parliament, will make it compulsory for anyone starting a new job to show their digital ID. The system will automatically verify their right to work against a central database. Pensioners and other non-working adults will not be required to apply.
Starmer is expected to set out the full details in a major speech in London on Friday, as he faces criticism over his leadership ahead of Labour’s annual conference. He said:
“Digital ID is an enormous opportunity for the UK. It will make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure. And it will also offer ordinary citizens countless benefits, like being able to prove your identity to access key services swiftly rather than hunting around for an old utility bill.”
How the Scheme Will Work
The system is expected to be modelled on Estonia’s approach, where citizens use a digital ID to manage official processes from registering births to voting. UK ministers argue that the plan will streamline checks for businesses, strengthen border security and improve access to government services.
Starmer, who was initially cautious over civil liberties concerns, has been persuaded to back the plan following warnings from European leaders such as President Macron that the UK must tackle the “pull factors” driving small boat crossings.
Political Fallout
The proposal has already sparked fierce debate. Reform UK branded the move “an attack on the freedoms of law-abiding Brits”, arguing it will do little to stop illegal working, which often relies on cash-in-hand jobs. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch dismissed it as a “desperate gimmick”.
However, Labour ministers insist the system will make compliance easier for companies and strengthen penalties for those who knowingly employ undocumented workers. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the cards would be free and funded under existing budgets.
Public opinion appears divided. More than 300,000 people have already signed a petition opposing the introduction of digital ID cards. Britain and Ireland remain the only two countries in Europe without some form of ID system.
Supporters, including Sir Tony Blair’s Institute for Global Change, argue that digital IDs could transform the way citizens access services. Alexander Iosad of the institute said: “Done correctly and responsibly, it can open the door to a whole new model of services that come to you when you need them.”
As Starmer positions Labour as the party of “patriotic renewal” ahead of the conference, the digital ID debate highlights one of the most divisive issues in UK politics: how to balance immigration control, civil liberties and national security.
