Sir Keir Starmer announced on Friday that the Government plans to implement a new mandatory ID system for individuals working in the UK by 2029. This initiative has sparked significant debate, particularly among critics who fear it may lead to increased surveillance and control over citizens.

A petition opposing the introduction of digital ID cards has gained traction, amassing over 6,800 signatures within an hour on Saturday morning. The petition, which has now surpassed 1,564,000 signatures, argues that such a system would represent a move towards mass surveillance. It states: “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.” Petitions that gather more than 100,000 signatures are eligible for consideration in parliamentary debates.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has also voiced his disapproval of the proposed scheme, labelling it “an anti-British card.” In an article for the Daily Express, he stated: “The Labour Government’s plan to impose digital ID cards on all adults will do nothing to combat illegal immigration. But it will give the state more power to control the British people.”

The Government has previously indicated that the ID would primarily serve as proof of an individual's right to work in the UK, aiming to address issues related to illegal immigration. However, Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the Prime Minister, hinted at broader applications for the digital ID in the future. Speaking at the Global Progress Action summit in London, he remarked: “If we get this digital ID system working and the public being with us, that will be the bedrock of the modern state and will allow for really quite exciting public service reform in the future.”

During the same conference, Sir Keir Starmer emphasised that the digital ID would help reassure voters about the fairness of the immigration system. He stated: “Decent, pragmatic, fair-minded people, they want us to tackle the issues that they see around them.”

Importantly, individuals will not be required to carry the ID physically. Instead, it will be stored on smartphones, and there will be no obligation to present it upon request.