The Government has abandoned plans to require all workers to enrol in a new digital identity scheme as part of future right to work checks but will continue with the digital ID project on a voluntary basis.
Under revised proposals, right to work checks will move fully online by 2029 – for example through the use of biometric passports – but signing up to the Government’s digital ID programme will no longer be compulsory. Ministers now say the scheme will be optional and framed more broadly as a tool for accessing public services, rather than a mechanism focused primarily on immigration control.
The change represents a departure from comments made by the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, who previously stated that “you will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID”.
Despite the shift on digital ID enrolment, ministers emphasised that mandatory digital right to work checks remain central to the Government’s plans.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told BBC Radio 4 that digitising the system – including through biometric passports – would strengthen enforcement against illegal working. She criticised the current “paper‑based system” as fragmented and lacking proper records, making targeted enforcement “very difficult”.
A Government spokesperson reiterated that digital checks would reduce fraud and improve the efficiency of public services, while maintaining inclusivity.
Public support for digital ID fell sharply after the Prime Minister’s initial announcement, accoridng to some polls which showed support dropping from just over half of respondents in favour to less than a third. Nearly three million people have signed a parliamentary petition opposing the introduction of digital ID cards.
Although detailed proposals have not yet been published, the digital ID system is expected to draw on two existing Government platforms:
- Gov.uk One Login, which already has more than 12 million users and supports services such as passport cancellation, veteran card applications and lasting power of attorney management.
- Gov.uk Wallet, which has not yet launched but is intended to allow individuals to store digital identity credentials on their smartphones.
A digital ID would likely include basic identity information such as name, date of birth, nationality, residence status and a photograph.
Employers are already required to verify an individual’s right to work. Since 2022, digital verification services have been available for British and Irish passport holders, and the Home Office operates an online system for checking the immigration status of some non‑UK nationals.
The move to a fully digital system by 2029 is expected to standardise these processes, though the optional nature of digital ID enrolment means employers may continue to navigate a mixed model for some time.
