The UK has launched a new digital ID scheme that will become central for Right to Work checks, marking a significant shift in how individuals prove their eligibility for employment.
As part of the government’s Plan for Change, this initiative builds on the efforts to crackdown on illegal working and strengthen border control.
The digital ID will be available to all UK citizens and legal residents and will be securely stored on individual’s smartphones via a GOV.UK digital wallet. It will streamline access to essential services such as driving licences, childcare and welfare and tax records.
Designed with privacy and security at its core, the scheme aims to reduce identity theft and simplify verification processes.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “I know working people are worried about the level of illegal migration into this country. A secure border and controlled migration are reasonable demands, and this government is listening and delivering.”
“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.”
“We are doing the hard graft to deliver a fairer Britain for those who want to see change, not division. That is at the heart of our Plan for Change, which is focused on delivering for those who want to see their communities thrive again.”
In planning the scheme, the government will ensure that it works for those aren’t able to use a smartphone, with inclusion at the heart of its design. To support this an outreach programme will be introduced, offering face-to-face support for citizens who are struggling to access the scheme.
Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance said, “The introduction of digital IDs sets a dangerous precedent, potentially only allowing people the right to work if they can afford and use a smartphone.
That ignores the 19 million people who are suffering from digital poverty and lack a smartphone, connectivity or skills, creating a black hole in the labour market and a significant portion of the population who are immediately excluded even further.”
“The people most impacted are those on low incomes, older people, young people paying for their own phone bill, refugees and domestic violence victims, as they are the most likely to not have access to a smartphone.”
“A serious concern is where this will definitely stop at the right to work? Or in reality, will it stretch to accessing the NHS, applying for benefits or pensions, or applying for training? Many of us take for granted these essential services, but the steps taken to implement a digital ID system could have a worrying impact on millions of people who are already being left behind.”
Alongside international best practices in digital ID systems such as Australia, Denmark and India, the UK government will launch a public consultation later this year to listen to a range of views on how the service should be delivered.
