UK to Introduce Mandatory Digital ID for All Jobs Under New Migration Policy
The UK government is preparing to launch a mandatory digital ID system that will become essential for anyone seeking work — including British citizens, permanent residents, and foreign workers. Officials say the new system will help curb illegal migration and prevent people from working without status, but critics warn it could reignite the country’s long-standing identity card debate.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled the plan at the Global Progress Action Summit in London, describing it as a critical step in regaining control over Britain’s borders.
What Is the Digital ID?
A digital ID will serve as an official, government-issued electronic identity record that confirms a person’s legal right to live and work in the UK. Unlike traditional ID cards, it won’t require people to carry physical documents everywhere.
Instead, it will operate as a secure, centralised identity check that employers and public service providers can access. The government has promised that:
- It will be free of charge.
- It will be accessible without smartphones, ensuring inclusion for all.
Who Will Be Required to Use It?
The system will cover nearly everyone involved in the job market:
- UK Citizens – Must present their digital ID when applying for jobs.
- Permanent Residents – Required to prove status via the new system.
- Foreign Workers – Work permits will be linked directly to their digital ID.
As Starmer put it clearly: “If you don’t have it, you can’t work here.” The rollout is expected to be completed before the next general election, due by 2029.
Why Is the UK Introducing This?
The government believes a universal digital ID will:
- Block those without status from entering the shadow economy.
- Reduce incentives for illegal migration by cutting off access to undocumented work.
- Speed up access to public services such as healthcare, childcare, and welfare for those who qualify.
Starmer defended the move as long overdue:
“For too many years, it’s been too easy for people to come here, slip into the shadow economy, and remain here illegally.”
Impact on Foreign Workers
For migrant workers, the change will bring both opportunities and challenges.
- Potential Benefits: Faster checks, fewer duplicate verifications, less paperwork.
- Concerns: Risk of technical glitches, possible profiling, and added vulnerability for undocumented workers who may face greater exploitation.
Sectors heavily dependent on migrant labour — such as hospitality, farming, and healthcare — are seeking clarity on how this will affect hiring speed and compliance.
The Bigger Picture
The digital ID plan forms part of Labour’s broader immigration strategy, which also targets people-smuggling networks and small boat crossings across the English Channel.
More than 37,000 people arrived in 2024, and over 30,000 have already crossed in 2025, making migration one of the most politically charged issues in the UK.
For Starmer, the new system is as much about practical enforcement as it is about political credibility:
“We do need to know who is in our country. Fairness in the immigration system is key to restoring public trust.”
What Happens Next?
The government will launch a public consultation before finalising the framework. While the official timeline points to a nationwide rollout before the 2029 election, how the system is designed — and how the public reacts — will determine whether it becomes a smooth digital gateway to jobs and services, or the next flashpoint in the UK’s immigration debate.
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