UK Government Announces Mandatory Digital ID for Employment Under Starmer

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled plans for a compulsory digital ID system, framing it as a cornerstone of the UK's border security and employment framework. The initiative, announced at the Global Progress Action Summit, will require all citizens and residents to adopt digital IDs for legal employment by 2029. Personal data—including nationality, residency status, and biometric details—will be stored on mobile devices, streamlining interactions with employers and public services.

Critics, including civil liberties groups like Big Brother Watch, have condemned the scheme as a step toward a 'checkpoint society,' arguing it erodes privacy rights. The backlash highlights tensions between technological efficiency and individual freedoms, with opposition mounting through public petitions and political dissent.