No digital ID checks until you change jobs, says No 10

"The government says its controversial digital ID scheme will not be applied retrospectively, with UK workers only needing it when they apply for a job after its proposed introduction by 2028. Announcing the plans in September, Sir Keir Starmer said they were a means to stop people "slipping into the shadow economy." It's now confirmed the scheme will only be mandatory for jobs entered into once it goes live, which ministers say will happen by the end of the parliament."

"Speaking to BBC News about the broader aims of the plans, Sir Keir stressed digital ID would not be compulsory and people who choose not to have it would not be denied access to essential services such as healthcare. "You'll never need ID to go into a hospital or anything like that," he said. "For people who simply don't want it, well, they don't need it - apart from the right to work." It's not clear the idea will be welcomed by the public however. A petition calling for it to be scrapped has attracted nearly three million signatures."

"In his BBC interview, Sir Keir set out what he said would be the advantages of digital ID, which will be available to all UK citizens and legal residents. He said it would aim to make people's lives easier by "cutting the faff" involved in providing multiple examples of identification for tasks such as applying to university, buying a house or renting. All of these can sometimes involve having to pay third party services for official verification."

Government confirms controversial digital ID will not be applied retrospectively; UK workers will only need it when applying for jobs after proposed introduction by 2028. Sir Keir Starmer said the system aims to stop people slipping into the shadow economy. The scheme will only be mandatory for jobs entered once it goes live, which ministers expect by the end of the parliament. Digital ID will not be compulsory for accessing essential services, and those who decline it will not be denied healthcare. A petition opposing the plan has attracted nearly three million signatures. Ministers say the ID could simplify verification for university applications, housing and renting, standardise identification and reduce banking fraud by making account access harder for criminals using forged or stolen documents.

Read at www.bbc.com