Overview
- Ministers confirmed digital right‑to‑work checks will be mandatory but said the planned national digital ID will be optional, with other electronic documents expected to be valid.
- Officials said details will be set out after a public consultation launching shortly, with primary legislation required before any scheme is implemented.
- At PMQs, Keir Starmer said checks will be digital and mandatory, while Rachel Reeves indicated verification could use an e‑passport or e‑visa rather than a single new ID.
- Opposition parties labeled the shift a U‑turn and criticised government indecision, as some Labour MPs voiced frustration over policy handling and communications.
- Public support for digital IDs has fallen sharply and an online petition has attracted nearly three million signatures, while the OBR has put provisional costs at about £1.8bn over three years.