Key Takeaways:
- The UK government has dropped plans to make digital ID compulsory for proving a right to work
- Digital checks on a person’s right to work will be mandatory, but workers can use other documents such as a passport
- The government will place more emphasis on the argument that digital ID can be a useful tool for accessing public services
- The policy change is the latest in a series of U-turns made by the government since it came to power
- The digital ID scheme is expected to be based on two government-built systems: Gov.uk One Login and Gov.uk Wallet
Introduction to the Policy Change
The UK government has made a significant U-turn on its plans to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers. The policy, which was first announced last year, would have required individuals to have a digital ID in order to prove their right to work in the UK. However, the government has now dropped this requirement, and workers will be able to use other documents such as a passport to prove their right to work. This change in policy has been welcomed by some, but has also been criticized by others who see it as another U-turn by the government.
Background to the Policy
When the policy was first announced, the government argued that mandatory digital ID for workers would make it easier to clamp down on immigrants working illegally. The scheme was intended to be a key part of the government’s efforts to tackle immigration, and was seen as a way to ensure that only those with the right to work in the UK were able to do so. However, the policy attracted criticism from many, with nearly three million people signing a parliamentary petition opposing the introduction of digital IDs. There was also nervousness among some Labour MPs over the compulsory aspect of the original proposal, and the Liberal Democrats said that the policy was "doomed to failure" from the start.
Reaction to the Policy Change
The change in policy has been welcomed by some, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who said "Good riddance. It was a terrible policy anyway." The Liberal Democrats have also welcomed the U-turn, with their Cabinet Office spokesperson, Lisa Smart, saying that the government should spend the billions of pounds earmarked for the digital ID scheme on the NHS and frontline policing instead. However, not everyone is happy with the change in policy, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage saying that the government should scrap the digital ID scheme altogether. The Green Party leader, Zack Polanski, has also welcomed the news, saying that the government has U-turned on ID cards.
Details of the Digital ID Scheme
The details of how the digital ID scheme will work have yet to be set out, but it is expected to be based on two government-built systems: Gov.uk One Login and Gov.uk Wallet. Currently, more than 12 million people have signed up to One Login, which can be used for services such as applying for a veteran card, cancelling a lost passport or managing a lasting power of attorney. Gov.uk Wallet has not yet been launched, but would allow people to store their digital ID on their smartphones. The digital ID would include name, date of birth, nationality and residence status and a photo. The government has said that digital ID will make everyday life easier for people, ensuring public services are more personal, joined-up, and effective, while also remaining inclusive.
Implications of the Policy Change
The change in policy has significant implications for the way that right to work checks are carried out in the UK. Currently, employers have to check if someone they want to hire has the right to work in the UK, and since 2022, employers have been able to do checks on passport-holding British and Irish citizens using digital verification services certified by the government. The new policy will make it easier for employers to carry out these checks, and will also make it easier for individuals to prove their right to work. The government has said that the digital ID scheme will be a useful tool for accessing public services, and will make it easier for people to access the services they need.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the UK government’s decision to drop plans for compulsory digital ID for workers is a significant U-turn, and has been welcomed by some and criticized by others. The policy change has significant implications for the way that right to work checks are carried out in the UK, and will make it easier for employers to verify an individual’s right to work. The digital ID scheme is expected to be based on two government-built systems, and will include name, date of birth, nationality and residence status and a photo. The government has said that digital ID will make everyday life easier for people, and will ensure that public services are more personal, joined-up, and effective, while also remaining inclusive.