Labour’s digital ID plans face fierce opposition amid privacy concerns

Labour under Prime Minister Keir Starmer proposes a mandatory digital ID system aimed at combating illegal immigration and modernising public services, but faces widespread backlash over privacy and surveillance fears.

Labour under Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled plans for a mandatory digital ID system intended to become “the bedrock of the modern state,” positioning it as a crucial tool to combat illegal immigration and reform public services. The policy, spearheaded by Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, mandates that anyone working in the UK must hold this digital ID, which will contain personal details such as name, date of birth, a photo, nationality, and residency status. This ID would be stored on smartphones or alternative devices and required to legally secure employment, marking a significant step in tightening immigration control.

Starmer’s government presents the digital ID not merely as an immigration enforcement mechanism but as a foundation for reforming public services, promising easier access to healthcare, welfare, and other state facilities. The ID will be issued free of charge, with provisions for those without smartphones to ensure inclusivity. At the Global Progress Action Summit in London, Starmer emphasised the need for a fair immigration system, arguing that the policy reflects a pragmatic response to the public’s concerns about illegal work and unfair labour market practices. He stated unequivocally: “You will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID.”

Yet, the rollout of this plan has ignited significant backlash from civil liberties advocates, opposition parties, and segments of the Labour Party itself. Critics warn that the digital ID could expand state surveillance and encroach on privacy. Campaign groups like Big Brother Watch have labelled the scheme “wholly unBritish,” warning it could create a domestic “mass surveillance infrastructure.” A petition opposing the introduction of these digital IDs quickly gained traction, amassing over 1.4 million signatures on the UK Parliament petitions website within days, reflecting widespread public unease. The petitions platform mandates government responses to proposals exceeding 10,000 signatures, and petitions surpassing 100,000 may be considered for parliamentary debate. While this does not guarantee parliamentary discussion, the scale of opposition is notable.

Comparisons have been drawn to the Labour government under Tony Blair, which attempted a similar ID card scheme that was ultimately scrapped after fierce parliamentary and public resistance. Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats have dismissed the current plans as ineffective gimmicks unlikely to stop illegal immigration, while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch described the policy as “a gimmick that will do nothing to stop the boats,” referring to migrant Channel crossings. Even within Labour ranks, figures like Shadow Pensions Secretary Helen Whately expressed scepticism, arguing that the digital ID would not tackle cash-in-hand jobs in the grey economy where employment is often unregulated and wages below legal minimum standards.

Supporters of the policy, including the Tony Blair Institute think tank, urge ministers to capitalise on this moment to go further, advocating for digital IDs to become a gateway for citizens to access state services securely and to demonstrate that the government is acting in their interest. The institute’s Alexander Iosad described the initiative as an opportunity “that must not be missed,” emphasising the dual goals of combating illegal migration and fostering a modernised, citizen-friendly state.

Starmer’s announcement comes amid a broader political context marked by public discontent and controversies facing his leadership. His premiership has seen contentious debates over immigration and broader governance, including clashes over his stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict that contributed to Labour losing seats and sparked petitions calling for early elections. These pressures underscore the challenges his government faces in pursuing ambitious reforms while maintaining public support.

The introduction of mandatory digital IDs reflects a significant policy shift in the UK’s long-standing debate over identity verification. Since the Second World War, compulsory identity cards have been largely absent due to privacy concerns and political opposition. Whether this new attempt by Starmer’s administration will succeed in balancing public security, civil liberties, and technological innovation remains to be seen as the policy faces intense scrutiny and sustained public pushback.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
9

Notes:
The narrative is current, with the earliest known publication date of similar content being 25 September 2025. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The petition against the digital ID scheme has amassed over 1.4 million signatures, reflecting widespread public concern. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/03264e6728c88892b280afcd1323395b?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score:
10

Notes:
The direct quote from Keir Starmer, “You will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID,” is unique to this report, with no earlier matches found. This suggests potentially original or exclusive content. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/03264e6728c88892b280afcd1323395b?utm_source=openai))

Source reliability

Score:
7

Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a reputable UK newspaper. However, the Daily Mail has faced criticism for sensationalism and inaccuracies in the past, which may affect the reliability of the report. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/03264e6728c88892b280afcd1323395b?utm_source=openai))

Plausability check

Score:
8

Notes:
The introduction of a mandatory digital ID system aligns with recent UK government discussions on digital identity and immigration control. The petition against the digital ID scheme has amassed over 1.4 million signatures, reflecting widespread public concern. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/03264e6728c88892b280afcd1323395b?utm_source=openai)) However, the Daily Mail has faced criticism for sensationalism and inaccuracies in the past, which may affect the reliability of the report. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/03264e6728c88892b280afcd1323395b?utm_source=openai))

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary:
The narrative is current and based on a press release, suggesting high freshness. The direct quote from Keir Starmer appears unique to this report, indicating potentially original content. The source is a reputable UK newspaper, though it has faced criticism for sensationalism and inaccuracies in the past, which may affect the reliability of the report. The introduction of a mandatory digital ID system aligns with recent UK government discussions on digital identity and immigration control. The petition against the digital ID scheme has amassed over 1.4 million signatures, reflecting widespread public concern. Given these factors, the overall assessment is OPEN with medium confidence.