Key Takeaways:
- The UK government has backed down from making digital ID mandatory for proof of a right to work in the country
- The scheme will now focus more on access to public services across the population, rather than immigration
- The cost of the scheme, estimated to be around £1.8 billion, is still uncertain and may not provide a return on investment
- Campaigners have welcomed the climbdown, but raised concerns about the scheme’s purpose, funding, and potential risks to cybersecurity, fraud, and privacy
- The government plans to operate a system of mandatory digital right-to-work checks, but details on the digital ID scheme will be set out following a full public consultation
Introduction to the Digital ID Scheme
The UK government has reversed its decision to make digital ID mandatory for proof of a right to work in the country, adding to the confusion surrounding the scheme’s cost and purpose. In September last year, the government announced that from 2029, digital ID would be mandatory for proving a person’s right to work in the UK, but voluntary in other cases. However, the scheme will now focus more on access to public services across the population, rather than immigration. This change in direction has been welcomed by campaigners, but has also raised concerns about the scheme’s purpose, funding, and potential risks to cybersecurity, fraud, and privacy.
The Government’s Change of Heart
The government’s decision to backtrack on making digital ID mandatory for proof of a right to work has been met with skepticism. Transport secretary Heidi Alexander told BBC Radio 4’s Today program that the digital ID could be one way in which people prove their eligibility to work through a digital right-to-work check. However, the government’s plans to operate a system of mandatory digital right-to-work checks have raised concerns about the potential risks to cybersecurity, fraud, and privacy. Big Brother Watch director Silkie Carlo said that the scheme was intrusive, expensive, and unnecessary, and that taxpayers should not be footing a £1.8 billion bill for a digital ID scheme that is "frankly pointless".
Funding and Cost Concerns
The cost of the digital ID scheme is still uncertain, and questions remain about how it will be funded. Last year, minister for digital government and data Ian Murray said that the technical delivery would be managed by the Government Digital Service (GDS), within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). However, other departments would have to contribute to the scheme as they adopt its use cases. Murray told a Parliamentary select committee that the cost of the entire system would depend on what the system looks like, and that digital inclusion, as well as the use cases from other government departments, would be taken into account. However, members of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee met this view with skepticism, pointing out that cash-strapped departments might struggle to justify their contribution.
Campaigner Reactions and Government Response
Campaigners have welcomed the government’s climbdown, but have raised concerns about the scheme’s purpose, funding, and potential risks. Silkie Carlo said that the case for the government to drop digital IDs entirely was overwhelming, and that the proposal to make right-to-work checks digital could raise similar risks to cybersecurity, fraud, and privacy. The government has responded to these concerns by stating that they are committed to mandatory digital right-to-work checks, and that digital ID will make everyday life easier for people, ensuring public services are more personal, joined up, and effective, while also remaining inclusive. A government spokesperson said that details on the digital ID scheme will be set out following a full public consultation, which will launch shortly.
Related Digital Services and Challenges
The government is also developing related digital services that have yet to meet expectations, including the UK One Login system, a unified account system for accessing government services, replacing over 190 separate login systems. The development of these services has been slow, and the government faces challenges in delivering a digital ID scheme that is secure, efficient, and effective. The government’s plans to operate a system of mandatory digital right-to-work checks will require significant investment in technology and infrastructure, and it remains to be seen whether the scheme will provide a return on investment. As the government moves forward with the digital ID scheme, it will be important to address the concerns raised by campaigners and to ensure that the scheme is designed with the needs of citizens and businesses in mind.
