UK Scraps Mandatory Digital ID for Workers Following Public Opposition

The Labour government has reversed its controversial digital ID mandate for workers, marking what opposition parties claim is its 13th major policy U-turn since 2024. The now-abandoned 'BritCard' scheme WOULD have required all UK workers to register with a government-issued digital identity system via smartphone.

Prime Minister Starmer had pitched the September 2025 initiative as an anti-illegal immigration measure at the Global Progress Action Summit, bluntly stating: 'You will not be able to work in the United Kingdom without digital ID.' The system would have stored biometric data and residency status in the Gov.uk Wallet app, which the government claimed maintained privacy through decentralized architecture.

Instead of mandatory digital IDs, workers can now choose from multiple verification methods including biometric passports and commercial verification apps. The policy collapse reflects growing public skepticism about centralized digital identity systems, particularly those tied to employment requirements.