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5h ago

UK Reaffirms Digital ID Plan, Promises Consultation and Clarifies It Won’t Be Compulsory to Hold

A 2.7 million–signature petition signals deep resistance to the proposal.

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Louis Mosley, head of Palantir in the UK, said there was no “clear resounding public support” for digital ID
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Overview

  • In a formal response to the petitions website, the government said it will introduce a national digital ID within this Parliament to streamline services and tackle fraud.
  • Officials stressed it will not be a criminal offence to lack a digital ID and police cannot demand to see one during stop-and-search.
  • Employers will be required to use the system for right-to-work checks by the end of the Parliament, with the ID offered free to citizens and legal residents aged 16 and over, subject to consultation on lowering the age to 13.
  • A public consultation will launch in the coming weeks, after which ministers intend to bring forward legislation to underpin the scheme.
  • Public opposition has surged, with the petition exceeding 2.7 million signatures and polling from More in Common showing net support falling from +35 points in June to -14, as Palantir’s UK chief said the firm will not bid for related contracts.