Introduction

At the end of September 2025, Sir Keir Starmer announced his proposal for a new digital ID system to be implemented across the UK, facilitating the use of vital government services. Despite the government’s optimism, this proposal has faced significant backlash nationwide, with many fearful of the risks attached to such an endeavour. 

What will digital ID look like and how will it work? 

Everyone will have a free digital ID securely stored on their phone. It will act as authoritative proof of who someone is and their residency status in the UK. Similarly to a passport or driver’s licence it will include a person’s name, date of birth, information on nationality and a photo. 

The government has ensured it will work for those who are unable to use a smartphone and will engage with groups who do not have such technology readily available like the homeless and those with limited exposure to the digital world, like the elderly. 

There will be no requirement for individuals to carry their ID, and police will not be authorised to request it. However, digital ID will be mandatory as a means of proving the right to work in the UK. 

Why the need for digital ID? 

Keir Starmer addressed the growing concerns of illegal migration into the UK and stated that “digital ID will make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making borders more secure [alongside] offering ordinary citizens countless benefits”.

The government hopes that the digital ID card’s implementation will be a big deterrent, combatting criminal gangs who exploit the UK labour market through illegal migration and channel crossings. Ideally, the scheme will assist the Home Office in identifying employers who are hiring illegally. 

The main advantage of the scheme is speed and therefore a more efficient processing system. The removal of manual checks and paperwork, together with automatic identity verification will reduce the burdensome process of filling in forms to a matter of minutes, as opposed to weeks. 

What risks are involved with digital ID?

The most probable risks involved with digital IDs include security breaches and identity theft. Whilst the government has assured that the system will be designed with security at its core, many have branded this scheme as a “honeypot for hackers”. If such a system was compromised, it could see millions become the targets of cybercriminals, as it is impossible to make any database perfectly secure. This is evident from the recent hack into the nursery chain Kido which saw thousands of children’s pictures and private data stolen and published on the dark web. Major corporations like Marks & Spencer and Jaguar Land Rover have also been the victims of ransomware cyber-attacks. Inevitably this raises concerns about the safety of digital IDs and the drastic implications of a privacy breach. 

Others have noted that the digital ID system opens the risk of discrimination. By harming civil liberties, it contributes to society’s segmentation. Some assert that it directly contradicts with elements of the Human Rights Act 1998 such as freedom of association and the right to privacy. Amnesty International has maintained that digital ID cards will “likely increase existing issues including racialised policing” and it does not see “how these will solve any issues around migration beyond generalities”. 

Public Response 

Labour’s digital ID scheme has also been met with drastic criticisms from the general public with a petition calling for the UK Government not to implement this. The petition has had almost 3 million signatures and is set to be considered by Parliament for a debate. 

Many other political parties have also expressed their discontent. For example, the Liberal Democrats have stated that they “cannot support a mandatory digital ID where people are forced to turn over their private data just to go about their daily lives”. Additionally, Reform leader Nigel Farage declared that he was “firmly opposed to the PMs digital ID cards [and that] the state should never have this much power”.

Future Outlook

The digital ID scheme is still in its early phases and whilst the government intends for it to be rolled out by 2029, it remains to be seen whether or not it will go ahead. It is crucial that the benefits of this are weighed proportionally against the undeniable risk factors.