The compulsory digital ID scheme, proving a worker’s right to work in the UK, has been dropped by the government amid widespread backlash.
The government has said that digital IDs, initially planned for launch in 2029, will no longer be mandatory for proving the right to work. Workers will instead have the choice of using other documents to verify their identity, such as an electronic visa or passport.
First announced in September 2025, the government planned to introduce digital ID cards in a bid to cut down on illegal working and make it easier for people to use government services.
It said that the new ID, which would be downloaded and used on smartphones, would make it harder for people who lack the right to find work from earning money, described as one of the key ‘pull factors’ for people who come to the UK illegally.
Under the plans, anyone starting a job would have been required to show their digital ID, which would be checked against a central database of those entitled to work...