No mandatory digital ID after all.

Mollygo

People, if I heard correctly, can still choose to get a digital ID. It just won’t be mandatory as initially proposed.

Yes, and as the point of it was meant to be to stop illegal working, the digital passport (whatever that is) will presumably suffice.

Because we've got French family by marriage, we've often thought about having a similar system. NHS number, NI number, passport number, is there anything else? My French DIL has all her personal health details on some sort of record. I started doing this myself when our boys were babies, as DH did not know what illnesses he had had or when. So their records included illnesses, jabs, any operations or broken limbs etc. When we moved house 6 years ago and registered with a new doctor we took our original NHS cards with us. The receptionist was amazed, and said she had never heard of them. We were famous for 5 minutes.

When will Labour do something to replace him? And the hopeless Reeves as well.I feel like pulling my hair out sometimes.

Oreo

The 13th policy u turn from weak leader Starmer.

He is listening to those who shout the loudest.

The 13th policy u turn from weak leader Starmer.

nanna8

Never heard of it . Possibly something they will do in the future ? If you haven’t got a passport or driving license I think you can get something like that. Certainly not compulsory. Your PM was talking about out making it mandatory I think - not the case here at all,

This is what your government says about the implementation which started in 2024.
www.finance.gov.au/about-us/news/2025/digital-id-continues-grow-and-improve-12-months

The UK Government was initially planning to make it mandatory for employment purposes to discourage illegal working, but that has been postponed for more consultation.

SORES

Ive told this tale a few times on here
- when we first moved here 3 years ago,
I ordered a particular bottle of gin from Amazon, on offer,
delivered to the door by a young Eastern European lady, held the box, asked to see id which I knew was safely packed in a box somewhere, Passport and drivers licence.
I said I didn’t have anything, only bank cards and Senior Railcard which she wouldn’t accept as it didn’t show my photo.
brooking no argument, off she went with my Martin Miller gin.

Amazon refunded me at full price for my disappointment and then sent another, via non judgemental DPD who left it on the doorstep, confident that I was (well) over 25 and would not cause trouble.

I disagree, I think it’s quite important to show ID for deliveries, I had to show ID recently for both alcohol and a new knife block I’d ordered.

There are no people living in my home who are under 23, however, close neighbours have young children and many teenagers up and down the road.

My “safe” place for deliveries s an open poor, open as in the door is left unlocked specifically for deliveries.

I’d be very upset if someone managed to take my deliveries if they were alcohol or things that could used to hurt others.

I have no issue in having to show photo ID when signing for something. I carry my Driving Licence in my purse.

Ive told this tale a few times on here
- when we first moved here 3 years ago,
I ordered a particular bottle of gin from Amazon, on offer,
delivered to the door by a young Eastern European lady, held the box, asked to see id which I knew was safely packed in a box somewhere, Passport and drivers licence.
I said I didn’t have anything, only bank cards and Senior Railcard which she wouldn’t accept as it didn’t show my photo.
brooking no argument, off she went with my Martin Miller gin.

Amazon refunded me at full price for my disappointment and then sent another, via non judgemental DPD who left it on the doorstep, confident that I was (well) over 25 and would not cause trouble.

Since I got German nationality I now have an ID card. I can register it for digital purposes, but haven't done so yet. It would enable me to do certain things online without having to go along to the town hall but I'm not sure what other advantages it would bring. If stopped on the street I would have to produce the physical card. Certainly to the police anyway, who seem to be the least competent people technologically you can imagine.

nanna8

Waste of money, good he has dropped the idea.

Sorry I don’t agree, for people like my husband, it’s a godsend. He doesn’t drive and only has Irish passport.

I too have no issue with it at all.

Never heard of it . Possibly something they will do in the future ? If you haven’t got a passport or driving license I think you can get something like that. Certainly not compulsory. Your PM was talking about out making it mandatory I think - not the case here at all,

AI said this:
State-Specific Digital IDs: Several states already offer their own digital versions of driver's licenses and other credentials through their own systems (e.g., NSW, Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia), which are separate from the main myID system but are being integrated over time.
In summary, while the framework and laws for a national, economy-wide system are in place, the full integration across all government and private sectors is a progressive rollout, expected to be fully realised by late 2026.

So yes, it obviously works well for those who need or want to use it. Very similar to the UK government proposal. I certainly needed a digital log-in to access HMRC from France.

Mamie

nanna8

Waste of money, good he has dropped the idea.

How is it working in Australia? It is over a year since it was introduced isn't it? My Australian friends seem to think it works well and is expected to save money.
Why would you object to the UK following suit?

We haven’t got it in Australia. Least not where I live in the South. We use our divers license and/ or birth certificates. If you want to you can get it apparently but no one I know has it. Not compulsory. Silly idea.

This is the proposal now minus the requirement about registering for work.

Key Features of the Proposed Digital ID scheme

Format and Storage: The ID will be a secure digital credential stored on an individual's smartphone, using encryption similar to banking apps. There will be no centralised government database of personal data; information is held on the user's device.
Data Included: It will contain the holder's name, date of birth, nationality or residency status, and a photo for biometric security. A public consultation will consider if additional information, such as address, should be included.
Mandatory for Work: While using the digital ID for most services will be voluntary, it will be a legal requirement for employers to check it as proof of an individual's right to work in the UK. This is intended to stop those without legal status from finding employment.
Voluntary Use: For other purposes, the ID is optional. People will not be required to carry it routinely, and the police cannot demand to see it. It can be used voluntarily for accessing public services (e.g., tax records, benefits, childcare applications) and private sector services (e.g., opening a bank account, renting property, age verification).
Inclusivity: The government has stated the scheme will be inclusive, with alternative options (such as physical documents or face-to-face support) for those without smartphones or digital skills.

Most European countries have cards rather than digital ID at the moment, though there is discussion about changing.
I have been using the Gov.uk One Login this week and my identity was checked digitally by facial imaging matched with my passport. I honestly can't see why people think it is a problem.

Most European countries also have them.
With all the random information on us in the ether, be it with NHS, or M&S, I don’t understand the reluctance to have them.
Of course, some of the most personal and intimate details are none of anyone’s business, and shouldn’t be on them.

nanna8

Waste of money, good he has dropped the idea.

How is it working in Australia? It is over a year since it was introduced isn't it? My Australian friends seem to think it works well and is expected to save money.
Why would you object to the UK following suit?

If he had stuck to ID cards, it might have gone ahead. People do need to have some form of identification. However, what was proposed was too intrusive.

People, if I heard correctly, can still choose to get a digital ID. It just won’t be mandatory as initially proposed.

Waste of money, good he has dropped the idea.

As I understand it, there will still be a need to prove eligibility to work with a digital version of something like a passport, it’s just that ID cards as separate entities are on hold.

I haven’t seen a detailed explanation though.