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Digital I.D's ......The Future Lives - Of The Citizens Of Britain!
- Linda Aitken-Smith
- Oct 8
- 4 min read
Digital I.D's & The British Public...
A lot of British Citizens are against Digital I.D's
They have signed a Petition against bringing out Digital IDs and making them Mandatory, as they have various reasons why they think they won't work.
Link to the Petition: (At the End of this blog). This petition will be considered for a debate in Parliament.
If you disagree with Digital IDs, you can click on the link below at the end of this blog and sign the Petition.
You can also click on the following link Show on a map below (in green) to check out how the Petition is going and how many have signed the Petition against Digital I.D's. Link to the Map is also at the end of this Blog.
Petition Do not introduce Digital ID cards
Created by Maxim Sutcliff
Deadline 9 January 2026 All petitions run for 6 months
We demand that the UK Government immediately commits to not introducing digital ID cards. There are reports that this is being looked at.
We think this would be a step towards mass surveillance and digital control, and that no one should be forced to register with a state-controlled ID system. We oppose the creation of any national ID system.
ID cards were scrapped in 2010, in our view, for good reason.
The Labour government aims to introduce digital IDs primarily to combat illegal migration and employment by requiring them for right-to-work checks, which will also streamline access to government and private sector services, reduce fraud, and disrupt criminal gangs. The digital IDs will be stored on smartphones, will contain information on a person's name, residency, and nationality, and will eventually be expanded to include health and benefits data to simplify public services further.
Key Reasons for Introducing Digital IDs
Curb Illegal Working:
The primary driver for the scheme is to make it mandatory for employers to check a digital ID to verify an individual's right to work in the UK.
Deter Illegal Migration:
By preventing illegal migrants from working, the government aims to deter dangerous journeys to the UK and dismantle the business model of criminal gangs involved in human trafficking.
Streamline Access to Services:
Over time, the digital ID is expected to simplify access to a range of public and private services, such as welfare and benefits, and to make processes like applying for free childcare easier, according to Simply Business and GOV.UK.
Combat Fraud and Forgery:
The system is intended to reduce fraud by simplifying identity verification and making it harder to use forged documents.
Modernise Government Services:
The initiative aims to create a more integrated and efficient system for citizens to interact with government and private sector services by enabling quicker and more secure identity verification.
How it Will Work
Digital Storage:
The digital IDs will be stored securely on smartphones, similar to digital bank cards.
Information Contained:
They will initially store information on a person's name, date of birth, residency status, and nationality.
Mandatory for Employment:
The ID will be compulsory for anyone wishing to work in the UK.
Future Expansion:
The plan is to eventually expand the ID to hold health and benefits data to further improve access to public services.
More in-depth Info
The Labour government wants to introduce digital IDs primarily
to crack down on illegal working and to modernise and streamline access to public and private sector services. The ID will be mandatory for proving the right to work, but optional for other purposes.
Tackling illegal working
The primary motivation for introducing a mandatory digital ID for employment is to deter illegal immigration by removing a key "pull factor": the ease of finding off-the-books work in the UK.
Preventing undocumented employment: By requiring a verified digital ID for all legal employment, the government aims to close loopholes where fake or borrowed documents, such as National Insurance numbers, are used.
Sending a strong message: According to the government, the policy sends a clear signal that those who enter the country illegally will not be able to find work.
Modernising public services
Beyond immigration control, the government argues that digital IDs will create a more efficient and user-friendly system for accessing services.
Streamlined access: A single, secure digital ID on a smartphone would allow citizens to access various services, from applying for benefits to updating tax records, without needing multiple physical documents.
Reduced fraud: The technology is intended to minimise identity fraud by reducing the personal details needed for verification, using security features like biometric authentication.
Improved efficiency: For both citizens and government departments, the digital system could speed up processes by replacing slow manual checks and paperwork with instant verification.
Learning from other countries
The UK government has looked at other countries that have successfully implemented digital ID systems. Examples include:
Estonia: Its digital ID system is used for medical records, banking, and voting.
India and Denmark: Their systems offer insights into reducing fraud and streamlining government services.
Addressing concerns
The government has responded to criticisms over civil liberties, exclusion, and data security.
Voluntary use: While mandatory for right-to-work checks, the ID will be optional for students, pensioners, and others not seeking employment.
Inclusivity: A public consultation is planned to ensure the system includes provisions for those without smartphones or internet access, potentially through physical alternatives or face-to-face support.
Data security: Officials state that the system will use strong encryption, with the digital credentials stored securely on the user's device, not a central database.
Broader political context
The proposal has been met with both support and strong opposition, drawing criticism from civil liberties groups and other political parties. There is also speculation that the policy is a response to pressure from populist parties like Reform UK regarding immigration.
If you disagree with Digital I'D's click on the link below and Sign the Petition
You can also click on the following link to check out how the Petition is going and how many have signed the Petition against Digital I.D's.
I will be updating this blog on Digital I.D's and keeping you updated when I find further information on this subject, and will list why some British Citizens are against the idea of Digital I.D's and why.
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