Starmer to unveil plan for compulsory UK digital ID scheme

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce a plan for a compulsory UK-wide digital identity scheme in a speech on Friday, according to senior figures in government and BBC reporting. The proposals form part of Labour's bid to crack down on illegal working and to modernise the state, with officials saying the scheme would become a central pillar of public services if adopted.

A consultation will examine how the scheme could operate in practice and how it would work for people who do not own smartphones or passports, as well as the costs and privacy safeguards involved. Labour has long floated digital identity as a way to verify rights to live and work, and the plan parallels earlier discussions with the failed ID-card push. Starmer has argued that the debate has moved on since that era, noting that many citizens now carry digital IDs.

Labour's historical reference point is the party's earlier push for national ID cards, which stalled after the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition blocked the policy. Supporters argue a digital scheme could deliver the same identity verification without physical cards, while opponents warn of privacy risks and potential exclusions for people with limited digital access.

Under the current system, checks on right to live and work are largely based on physical documents, although some online verification routes have existed since 2022. Officials have signalled that the new scheme would build on existing digital identity tools and extend them across more government services.

Privacy advocates and opposition figures have signalled concerns about data protection, consent, and accountability in a nationwide digital ID regime. Government officials say the consultation will scrutinize safeguards, governance, and opt-out provisions to ensure inclusivity before any final decisions are made.

No rollout date has been announced, and ministers say final decisions will depend on the consultation outcomes and any parliamentary process that follows. The government has not provided a timetable for when a policy paper or legislation might be introduced.