Overview

• Downing Street has scheduled outreach calls to persuade sceptical Labour MPs after the conference rollout drew accusations of mishandling.
• An HMRC paper says it is exploring linking digital IDs to tax administration, including pre-populating returns, and a Tony Blair Institute estimate points to about £600 million a year in extra yield.
• A petition opposing the scheme has passed 2.8 million signatures and polling reports indicate falling public support.
• The Conservatives, Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats oppose the plan over privacy and state overreach concerns, with Nigel Farage saying he would rather go to jail than carry an ID.
• The government plans a consultation and legislation, with a target to require the digital ID for right-to-work checks by 2029 as the Prime Minister argues it will curb illegal working and speed up access to services.