Labour’s flagship digital ID plan has hit a serious roadblock, with the UK government signaling that proving the right to work in the country may no longer require the digital ID.
What began as a bold promise now looks much more flexible—or uncertain.
From Bold Announcement to Hesitation
Last September, Sir Keir Starmer made headlines when he declared at a London conference that “you will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID.”
The policy was pitched as a key tool to curb illegal work and tighten security around employment.
But by Tuesday night, government officials were taking a much softer stance.
While ministers insisted they remain “committed to mandatory digital right-to-work checks,” they stressed that the details of the digital ID scheme would only be finalized after a full consultation.
This opens the door for other forms of digital documentation to prove eligibility to work.
Political Reactions: U-Turn or Reality Check?
The apparent softening of the policy has triggered a flurry of political responses.
Conservatives accused Starmer of “spinelessness,” claiming this is just the latest in a series of U-turns since Labour took office.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats quipped that Downing Street might need motion sickness tablets to cope with all the policy reversals.
Support for the digital ID plan has also collapsed since its announcement, dropping from 53% in June to just 31% by October, highlighting how controversial it had become.
Government Perspective: Consultation First
A government spokesperson emphasized that details of the scheme were always intended to follow a public consultation.
“We are committed to mandatory digital right-to-work checks,” the spokesperson said, adding that current paper-based checks are inconsistent and vulnerable to fraud.
The aim, according to officials, is to make everyday life smoother, with public services becoming more joined-up and efficient, all while remaining inclusive.
MPs and Campaigners Claim Victory
Some MPs and campaigners are celebrating what they see as a major win.
Conservative MP Rupert Lowe tweeted his thanks to colleagues who opposed the digital ID policy, calling it a triumph for Parliament and grassroots campaigning.
“Mandatory Digital ID is dead. This is Parliament and politics at its best. We can win,” he wrote.
Critics Call Out Starmer’s Leadership
Despite the apparent policy retreat, critics are unsparing.
Conservative shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood described it as a “humiliating U-turn” and argued that what was pitched as a firm measure to prevent illegal work is now likely to be abandoned at the first sign of pressure.
Similarly, Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokeswoman Lisa Smart called the proposal “doomed to failure” from the start, noting the enormous cost it would have imposed on taxpayers for minimal impact.
The Road Ahead
With the digital ID plan now in limbo, questions remain about what form right-to-work verification will take in the UK.
Ministers are promising consultation and careful planning, but political observers are watching closely to see whether this reversal marks a permanent shift or just another chapter in the ongoing policy shuffle.
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