LONDON — In a significant policy reversal, Britain’s Labour government has abandoned its controversial plan to mandate digital identification cards for employment purposes. The proposed scheme, initially championed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as a mechanism to combat unauthorized immigration, has been substantially diluted following substantial political opposition and public skepticism.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed the policy shift on Wednesday, clarifying that digital ID cards would now represent merely one option among several documentation methods for employment verification. Biometric passports will remain equally valid for proving work eligibility, fundamentally altering the compulsory nature of the original proposal.
This development marks the latest in a series of policy reversals for Starmer’s administration, which faces mounting criticism from both opposition parties and within its own parliamentary ranks. The Prime Minister had previously asserted in September that “you will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID,” positioning the initiative as a cornerstone of immigration control and public service accessibility.
The concept of mandatory identification documents has historically proven contentious in British politics. The nation hasn’t required compulsory ID cards for ordinary citizens since the post-World War II era, with civil liberties advocates consistently warning about potential infringements on personal freedom and data security risks.
The government now plans to initiate a comprehensive public consultation before formulating detailed proposals for the voluntary digital identification system. This approach contrasts sharply with previous Labour administrations’ attempts to introduce similar measures, notably former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s unsuccessful effort to implement biometric ID cards two decades ago amid substantial public and parliamentary resistance.