UK drops mandatory digital ID for work checks, opting for public consultation and possible future optional use.

The UK government has reversed its plan to make digital ID mandatory for proving work eligibility, despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s earlier pledge. While mandatory right-to-work checks remain in place, details of the digital ID system will be determined after a public consultation, with digital ID potentially becoming optional by 2029. The shift follows a sharp drop in public support from 53% to 31% and criticism over feasibility, cost, and consistency. Officials say digital checks aim to reduce fraud and modernize outdated paper-based systems, but the policy’s future remains uncertain pending public input.