The Labour government is secretly considering a major and controversial expansion of its digital identity scheme that could see newborn babies allocated lifelong digital IDs at birth, the Daily Mail can reveal.
Secret Meetings and 'Dropping Jaws'
In private meetings held recently by Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons, the prospect of issuing the technology to infants was discussed with civil society groups. Attendees were sworn to secrecy, but one participant described the moment the idea of extending coverage to newborns was raised: "You could see jaws dropping around the room."
Mr Simons reportedly pointed to other nations, such as Estonia, which creates a unique digital number for each child at birth registration. Estonia's system, viewed by some in Labour as a blueprint, later provides access to public services. He also suggested digital IDs could be used by teenagers to access social media, following Australia's move to ban under-16s from apps like TikTok.
From 'Stopping the Boats' to the Birth Room
This marks a significant shift from the scheme's original stated purpose. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the digital ID policy in September, framing it primarily as a tool to tackle illegal immigration by ensuring all job candidates prove their right to work.
Facing public and backbench MP backlash, Sir Keir has since tried to highlight everyday conveniences, like applying for a bank account. However, the government has refused to detail the full plans or explain how the £1.8 billion scheme, as estimated by the Office for Budget Responsibility, will be funded.
The revelation of discussions about newborns has ignited fierce criticism. Shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood stated: "Labour said their plan for mandatory digital ID was about tackling illegal immigration. But now we hear they are secretly considering forcing it on newborns. What do babies have to do with stopping the boats?" He branded it a "deeply sinister overreach."
A 'Constitutional Disgrace' and Lifelong Surveillance Fears
Former Tory Cabinet minister Sir David Davis condemned the idea as "creeping state surveillance" and "an affront to centuries of British history." He accused the Prime Minister of selling the policy on the "bogus premise" of immigration before quietly expanding it, calling the process a "constitutional disgrace."
Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokeswoman Lisa Smart said dragging newborns into the scheme was "a frightening development," warning of the government's "obsession with extending state control." She argued the £1.8 billion should be spent on cutting GP waits and energy bills instead.
A source told the Daily Mail: "It's a cradle-to-grave digital file being dishonestly forced on every single Briton... I don't think this Government can be trusted to create a national ID scheme of any kind." Another attendee warned: "They're clearly intending a lifelong mandatory ID scheme."
In response, a Government spokesman insisted: "The only mandatory area of the programme will be for digital right-to-work checks." A Whitehall source stressed the plans were "all hypothetical" and would be decided by a forthcoming public consultation, adding that in any scenario where children might have an ID, "No one will be forcing them to have it." The scheme is due to be introduced by the end of this Parliament in 2028-29.
