Minister insists 'absolutely no U-turn' on digital ID after reports worker checks could be 'abandoned'
Mike Tapp told LBC he is "very clear" the digital ID verification will be mandatory A Home Office minister has rejected claims Sir Keir Starmer is watering down plans for mandatory digital IDs for workers, despite increasing reports the Government is preparing to row back on the scheme. Speaking to LBC, Home Office minister Mike Tapp rubbished reports claiming the Prime Minister will no longer make digitial ID's compulsory to verify someone’s right to work in the UK compulsory. The move would mark the 13th policy U-turn since Sir Keir's government took office in 2024.It comes after a report in the Times claimed Digital IDs will be optional once introduced in 2029, giving workers the option of whether to use other documents to digitally verify their identity.The Prime Minister last year said Labour would introduce a digital ID system that would be voluntary in most cases but mandatory for right-to-work checks.But according to Mr Tapp, the plans are not being watered down.He told Tonight with Andrew Marr: “There’s a lot being discussed behind the scenes, but I'm very clear on this. There will be mandatory digital checks for work." Read more: Ministers want a digital ID. They still can’t say what it will actually doRead more: Majority of voters do not support digital ID cards, exclusive LBC poll reveals
Mike Tapp rejected claims Sir Keir Starmer is scrapping plans for mandatory digital IDs on Tonight with Andrew Marr.
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LBC
Mr Tapp said announcements will be made in due course, adding that “the ambition is to have mandatory work checks which will be digital by the end of this parliament”. When pressed again by Andrew on whether there will be absolutely no U-turn on digital ID, he replied: “As far as I'm aware, no.”It comes after at the Times quoted a government source as saying the compulsory element of digital ID “was stopping conversation about what digital IDs could be used for generally”."Stepping back from mandatory-use cases will deflate one of the main points of contention. We do not want to risk there being cases of some 65-year-old in a rural area being barred from working because he hasn’t installed the ID.”
Protesters opposing digital ID.
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Getty
Conservative shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood 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.“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.”A government spokesperson said: "We are committed to mandatory digital right to work checks. “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.”
