Keir Starmer has abandoned plans to make digital ID cards compulsory for workers, marking the 13th policy reversal since he became Prime Minister.
In a blow to the Government, the Cabinet Office confirmed that digital ID will no longer be mandatory for those seeking employment. The move represents a clear retreat from the position set out when the policy was unveiled last September.
At the time, Starmer was unequivocal about the proposal, telling the public: “Let me spell it out, you will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID.”
Digital ID No Longer Compulsory for UK Workers
Under the revised approach, digital ID cards will now be optional, allowing workers to choose alternative methods to prove their identity and right to work.
A government spokesperson defended the broader direction of travel, saying: “We are committed to mandatory digital right to work checks.
“Currently, right to work checks include a hodge podge of paper-based systems with no record of checks ever taking place. This is open to fraud and abuse. We have always been clear that details on the digital ID scheme will be set out following a full public consultation which will launch shortly.
“Digital ID will make everyday life easier for people, ensuring public services are more personal, joined-up, and effective, while also remaining inclusive.”
Mounting Pressure After Series of Policy Reversals
The latest U-turn follows a string of reversals on high-profile policies, including decisions on winter fuel payments and proposed cuts to disability benefits, adding to accusations of inconsistency at the heart of government.
Tory MP Mike Wood, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, was scathing in his response. He said: “While we welcome the scrapping of any mandatory identification, this is yet another humiliating U-turn from the government.
“Keir Starmer’s spinelessness is becoming a pattern, not an exception.
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“What was sold as a tough measure to tackle illegal working is now set to become yet another costly, ill-thought-out experiment abandoned at the first sign of pressure from Labour’s backbenches.
“Only the Conservatives have the plan and the team to restore common sense to public policy.”
Opposition Voices Pile On Over Digital ID Climbdown
Criticism also came from the Liberal Democrats, with Cabinet Office spokeswoman Lisa Smart mocking the pace of reversals from Downing Street.
She said, “Number 10 must be bulk ordering motion sickness tablets at this rate to cope with all their U-turns. It was clear right from the start this was a proposal doomed to failure, that would have cost obscene amounts of taxpayers’ money to deliver absolutely nothing.”
The Government is expected to outline further details on the future of digital right-to-work checks following the upcoming public consultation.
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