Starmer 'abandons' plans for mandatory digital IDs in '13th U-turn' since election
It's being reported the government is planning to water down its plans for compulsory digital ID
The government is reportedly planning to water down its plans for compulsory digital IDs in their 13th U-turn since taking power.
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The Times is reporting the scheme will now be optional - with workers given the choice to use other documents to verify their identity.
The plans were sold as a way of deterring illegal immigration by making it harder to work illegally in Britain.
The plans were thrown into confusion on Tuesday night after the report said ministers were rowing back on the compulsory element, allowing other digital documents to be used for right-to-work checks.
A Government spokesman insisted ministers were still "committed to mandatory digital right-to-work checks", but declined to say whether this would still require digital ID.
Speaking to LBC earlier, Home Office minister Mike Tapp rubbished the mounting rumours.
He told Tonight with Andrew Marr: “There’s a lot being discussed behind the scenes, but I'm very clear on this. There will be mandatory digital checks for work."
Read more: Ministers want a digital ID. They still can’t say what it will actually do
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Mr Tapp said announcements will be made in due course, adding that “the ambition is to have mandatory work checks which will be digital by the end of this parliament”.
When pressed again by Andrew on whether there will be absolutely no U-turn on digital ID, he replied: “As far as I'm aware, no.”
A government spokesperson said: "We are committed to mandatory digital right to work checks.
"Currently right to work checks include a hodge podge of paper-based systems with no record of checks ever taking place. This is open to fraud and abuse.
“We have always been clear that details on the digital ID scheme will be set out following a full public consultation which will launch shortly.
“Digital ID will make everyday life easier for people, ensuring public services are more personal, joined-up, and effective, while also remaining inclusive.”
'Humiliating U-turn'
Conservative shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood said: “While we welcome the scrapping of any mandatory identification, this is yet another humiliating U-turn from the Government.
“Keir Starmer’s spinelessness is becoming a pattern, not an exception.
“What was sold as a tough measure to tackle illegal working is now set to become yet another costly, ill-thought-out experiment abandoned at the first sign of pressure from Labour’s backbenches.”
A government spokesperson said: "We are committed to mandatory digital right to work checks.
“We have always been clear that details on the digital ID scheme will be set out following a full public consultation which will launch shortly.
“Digital ID will make everyday life easier for people, ensuring public services are more personal, joined-up, and effective, while also remaining inclusive.”