Overview
- The government plans a free digital identity for right‑to‑work checks by the end of this Parliament, replacing manual document checks with a smartphone-based credential secured with biometrics and encryption.
- Support has fallen sharply since the announcement, with polling showing 45% opposed and roughly 31% in favour, and parliamentary petitions drawing about 2.6–2.7 million signatures against the scheme.
- Cabinet ministers have questioned the plan as expensive, complicated and a "fantasy" on illegal immigration, and party allies warned after the conference that Starmer needs to explain the policy or risk it stalling.
- Officials say consultations are coming and legislation may be required, while talks with the Irish government are under way to ensure the system works in Northern Ireland and respects the Good Friday Agreement and the Common Travel Area.
- Separately from the work-check policy, the GOV.UK Wallet is due to launch with a Digital Veteran Card and an initial digital driving licence rollout later this year.