UK to Roll Out Mandatory Digital ID for Right-to-Work Checks, Sparking Security and Privacy Debate

The UK government has confirmed plans to introduce a national digital ID system that will eventually become a legal requirement for Right-to-Work checks, a move it says will help clamp down on illegal employment while streamlining public access to essential services.

A Digital Identity Push with Political Weight

Unveiled by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the digital ID will be free for citizens and legal residents and function as the official proof of identity and residency status. Beyond employment verification, it’s expected to become the primary gateway to government services ranging from driving licences to welfare benefits and tax records.

“I know working people are worried about the level of illegal migration into this country,” said Starmer. “A secure border and controlled migration are reasonable demands, and this government is listening and delivering. Digital ID is an enormous opportunity for the UK. It will make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure. And it will also offer ordinary citizens countless benefits, like being able to prove your identity to access key services swiftly—rather than hunting around for an old utility bill.”

The policy is framed as part of the government’s broader Plan for Change, which has prioritized border enforcement and recently saw the first deportations under a UK-France returns deal. Illegal working arrests have reportedly surged 50% this year, with new laws targeting exploitation in the gig economy.

From Smartphones to Services

The ID will be stored on mobile devices, similar to the NHS App or digital driving licences already in the pipeline. It won’t be required for day-to-day use but will be mandatory when employers conduct Right-to-Work checks.

The government says it’s looking abroad for inspiration. Estonia’s digital ID system underpins everything from school enrolments to healthcare. India has used Aadhaar to cut billions in fraud. Denmark ties student records directly to a national ID. Australia lets citizens use theirs to open bank accounts and even buy alcohol.

Building Trust in a Centralized System

The promise is convenience and efficiency, but critics warn of the risks tied to centralized identity schemes.

Chris Wallis, CEO and Founder of Intruder, and a former ethical hacker, called the plans a potential privacy minefield: “The UK's announcement of Digital ID cards presents considerable privacy and security concerns. This creates a centralized data repository that is designed to expand over time, leading to privacy being stripped away piece by piece. Such a database would present a juicy target for threat actors and a successful breach would be catastrophic for the nation's residents.”

Wallis added: “In reality, it’s too early to speculate the full impact or reach of these implications, as the government can't even articulate what it is or will be. The examples that have been given are already covered by existing services.”

Encryption, Inclusion, and Public Consultation

Officials stress that the scheme will be designed with “best-in-class” encryption and authentication, with credentials stored on personal devices rather than central servers. If a phone is lost or stolen, the ID can be revoked and reissued remotely.

The government insists inclusion is a priority, promising support for groups less familiar with technology such as older citizens and those without smartphones. Public consultation later this year will examine questions such as whether addresses should be included alongside biometric details.

Outreach programs will include in-person help for those struggling with digital access, aiming to ensure the scheme doesn’t exclude vulnerable groups.

The Road Ahead

The rollout places the UK in the middle of a global trend: governments embracing digital ID as both a tool of efficiency and an instrument of control. Whether it becomes a seamless, secure service—or a lightning rod for privacy activists—will depend on execution.

For Starmer, the stakes are higher than administrative modernization. Digital ID is being positioned as a political litmus test for border control, national security, and the ability of government to deliver digital transformation without sacrificing civil liberties.