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Government to roll out digital ID scheme to tighten Right to Work checks

The digital ID will become mandatory for Right to Work checks and aims to stop illegal working while making it easier for people to use Government services.

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Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a new digital ID scheme that will be rolled out across the UK. 

The digital ID will become mandatory for Right to Work checks by the end of this Parliament and aims to stop illegal working while making it easier for people to use Government services.

The scheme will cover all UK citizens and legal residents, replacing the need for paper-based identity checks. 

People will be able to store their digital ID on their phones, similar to the NHS app or contactless payments. 

There will be no need to carry ID or show it unless proving the right to work.

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Starmer said: “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.

“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.”

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Starmer added: “And 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.

“We are doing the hard graft to deliver a fairer Britain for those who want to see change, not division. 

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“That is at the heart of our Plan for Change, which is focused on delivering for those who want to see their communities thrive again.”

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The Government said the digital ID will help stop people without the right to live in the UK from finding work, making it harder to earn money illegally. 

This is part of a wider plan to control borders and cut illegal migration. 

The digital ID will also make it easier to apply for driving licences, childcare, welfare and access tax records. 

The scheme will build on the ongoing GOV.UK digital wallet project and sit alongside plans for a digital driving licence.

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A public consultation will be launched later in the year to gather views on how the scheme should work. 

The Government said it will make sure the scheme works for people who do not use smartphones, with inclusion as a priority. 

The consultation will involve groups less familiar with digital technology, such as older people and the homeless. 

There will be face-to-face support for those who need help accessing the digital ID.

Alex Hall-Chen, principal policy advisor for employment at the Institute of Directors, said: “We welcome the Government’s proposals to introduce a compulsory digital ID scheme. 

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“Our own survey data shows that 62% of business leaders support the introduction of a single, free, mandatory digital right-to-work card.

“Digital identification has a crucial role to play in streamlining and modernising compliance processes.”

Hall-Chen added: “It will reduce administrative burdens and improve accuracy in right-to-work checks, which are currently clunky and cumbersome for employers. 

“Done well, this reform can both strengthen public trust and enhance the UK’s competitiveness by making it easier to recruit and onboard staff.

“The IoD looks forward to working with the government to ensure the new digital ID scheme is delivered in a way that meets the needs of businesses and employees alike.”

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