September 30, 2025

UK announces mandatory digital ID for citizens

starmer
Photo source: Neil Hall

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared that all UK citizens will have mandatory identification to verify their right to work and live in the country.

This initiative reinforces the government’s efforts to combat illegal working and strengthen border control as part of the Plan for Change.

Since this government took office, arrests for illegal working have increased by 50%, and new laws are being introduced to combat illegal work in the gig economy. These measures come after the government’s recent success in deporting the first illegal migrants under the landmark UK-France returns agreement last week.

“I know working people are worried about the level of illegal migration into this country. A secure border and controlled migration are reasonable demands, and this government is listening and delivering,” Starmer said.

“Digital ID is an enormous opportunity for the UK. It will make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure.”

According to Starmer, the scheme also simplifies access to essential government services for most people.

“It will also offer ordinary citizens countless benefits, like being able to prove your identity to access key services swiftly – rather than hunting around for an old utility bill,” he said.

The scheme will be available to all UK citizens and legal residents, saving time by ending the need for complicated identity checks which often rely on copies of paper records. Digital credentials will be stored directly on individuals’ devices, similar to how contactless payment cards or the NHS App function today.

The UK digital ID will include the name, date of birth, nationality or residency status, and a photo for biometric security, similar to an eVisa or passport.

The system will also use advanced encryption and authentication technology that already secures millions of digital transactions every day. If a phone is lost or stolen, the digital credentials can be quickly revoked and reissued.

The UK government has committed that the system will be “inclusive” and accessible to people without smartphones, passports, or reliable internet access.

The countries that already have some form of digital IDs include:

  • Estonia, which is mainly stored on people’s smartphones and used to access medical records, voting, banking, and digital signatures.
  • Australia, which the citizens use to log into government and private services
  • India, where individuals receive a unique 12-digit reference number to serve as proof of identity and residence

Other countries that employ some form of digital ID include Singapore, Greece, France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United Arab Emirates, China, Costa Rica, South Korea, and Afghanistan.

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