Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has robustly defended the government's commitment to mandatory digital checks for the right to work in the UK, following accusations of a significant policy reversal. The controversy erupted on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, as the Labour government appeared to soften its stance on a flagship digital identification scheme.
Policy Clarification or a Major U-Turn?
The original plan, announced by Sir Keir in September of the previous year, was to introduce a new mandatory digital ID system specifically for proving the right to work. This digital ID, stored on mobile phones, was intended solely for UK citizens and legal residents as a tool to crack down on illegal working.
However, the government's position seemed to shift. During Prime Minister's Questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch welcomed what she termed the "latest U-turn," labelling the original mandatory digital ID policy as "rubbish." In response, Sir Keir stated his determination to make it harder for people to work illegally, declaring: "There will be checks, they will be digital, and they will be mandatory." Notably, he did not confirm these checks would be limited to the previously announced single digital ID card.
Ministers Signal a More Flexible Approach
Earlier on Wednesday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves provided clarity, suggesting the story of a complete reversal had been "overwritten." She confirmed that proving the right to work would remain mandatory but indicated the government was now "pretty relaxed" about the form of digital identification used.
"The difference is whether that has to be one piece of ID, a digital ID card, or whether it could be an e-visa or an e-passport," Ms Reeves told BBC Breakfast. She emphasised the practical goal was to stop illegal immigration, not to be fixated on one specific ID format.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle echoed this on BBC Radio 4, confirming that a UK biometric passport could be used if checks went digital immediately. However, he stated that dedicated digital IDs would be rolled out by the planned implementation date of 2029. "We will clarify this near the time what other forms may or may not be useful," he added, stressing the system would link biometric data to identity for instant government verification.
Another in a Series of Reversals
This episode marks at least the eleventh policy U-turn by the Labour government since taking office. Recent reversals include:
- Providing additional support for pubs facing business rate hikes.
- Raising the inheritance tax relief threshold for farmers.
- Scrapping a raft of benefits cuts.
On Tuesday, Health Secretary Wes Streeting told a London conference that ministers should aim to "get it right first time." Government officials have insisted they had "always been clear" that details on the digital ID scheme would follow a full public consultation, which is due to launch shortly. This consultation leaves open the possibility that the digital ID programme could become entirely voluntary, a stark contrast to Sir Keir's initial conference pledge that "you will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID."
