Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced mandatory digital identification for UK workers as part of measures to combat illegal migration. The smartphone-based system is expected to verify employment eligibility and provide access to government services by 2029. Opposition leaders condemn the proposal as ineffective against Channel crossings while civil liberties groups warn of surveillance risks. The government plans to consult later this year before introducing legislation.
Workers will store digital credentials on mobile devices similar to contactless payments or NHS applications. The system will contain personal details like names, birth dates, nationality status, and photographs. Employers currently check candidate documentation, but officials believe digital verification will reduce document fraud. Young people express mixed reactions, citing convenience benefits but raising concerns about data security due to centralized information storage.
Workers will store digital credentials on mobile devices similar to contactless payments or NHS applications. The system will contain personal details like names, birth dates, nationality status, and photographs. Employers currently check candidate documentation, but officials believe digital verification will reduce document fraud. Young people express mixed reactions, citing convenience benefits but raising concerns about data security due to centralized information storage.
