Two-thirds Britons fear safety of Keir Starmer’s digital ID scheme, poll finds

Two-thirds of Britons do not trust the government to keep digital identity data secure, according to a YouGov poll conducted for the civil liberties group Big Brother Watch. The survey of 2,153 adults found 63 percent expressed distrust, citing fears of cyber attacks and data breaches and concerns about how broad the system would govern daily life. The findings come as Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce compulsory digital ID cards for all residents at Labour s annual conference in Liverpool next weekend.

The poll indicates broad unease about a system designed to verify identity for employment, housing and other everyday activities. The government plan would issue digital IDs to all people legally entitled to reside in Britain and would be used for employment checks and rental agreements. The YouGov poll was commissioned by BBW and reflects a climate of privacy and security concerns at a moment of high profile cyber threats and publicized data breaches.

The warnings have grown louder in recent weeks as British authorities have grappled with cyber attacks on critical infrastructure and a high-profile data leak involving Afghan resettlement applicants, in which the details of more than 18,000 people were exposed to Taliban hands. Critics say the scale and seriousness of such incidents underline why a national ID system could become a target for criminals and malicious actors.

The idea has deep roots in British politics. It dates to the Tony Blair era and has long drawn support on Labour s right, even as civil liberties advocates argue that a centralized ID framework could become a tool for intrusive state power if misused by future governments. Supporters say a digital ID could streamline services and strengthen border security, while opponents warn it would erode privacy and create a de facto universal database.

Opposition voices framed the policy as a test of civil liberties and governance. A conservative MP warned that civil liberties would be at risk if a digital ID is implemented, arguing that a government that cannot run the NHS IT system or secure borders should not be trusted with citizens identity keys. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey signaled openness to reconsidering the party s opposition if freedoms are preserved and protections are robust. Rebecca Vincent, BBW s interim director, stressed that mandatory digital ID would amount to a radical shift that has not been put to public consultation and could fundamentally alter the relationship between the state and ordinary people.

Officials have said the government s briefing frames the plan as a practical response to modern challenges including the small boats issue and the need to curb illegal migration while protecting legitimate residents. The debate has grown more complex as parties weigh the balance between security and civil liberties, with concerns about the scope and safeguards of any universal ID scheme.

In Labour circles the question is how to reconcile the party s long standing support for ID schemes with growing public skepticism. The conference in Liverpool will be watched for signals on timing, scope and safeguards, and whether the policy will be framed as addressing a specific problem or as a broader reform of how identity data is managed in Britain. The political dynamic remains open, reflecting a broader debate over state power in a digital age.

The poll underscores a gap between policy ambition and public trust. As Britain navigates a rapidly changing digital environment, the key question is how to secure identity data while preserving privacy. The next moves by Prime Minister Starmer and responses from opposition parties and civil liberties groups will shape the debate on digital identity for months to come.