The Government previously announced plans for digital ID to be mandatory to prove the right to work in the UK.
Many Brits have protested against Labour’s plans to tntroduce Digital ID (Image: Getty)
Newborn babies may be given a digital ID as part of Sir Keir Starmer’s introduction of the scheme by the end of parliament. The idea of expansion to children at birth has previously been raised by ministers, and has now reportedly been discussed in secret meetings held by Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons. According to the Daily Mail, he told civil society groups that other countries issue lifelong identification to babies, such as Estonia which creates a unique number for each baby when their birth is registered.
It is also understood that Mr Simons suggested digital IDs may be a pathway for teenagers to sign into social media which follows Australia’s recent ban on under-16’s using certain platforms. Responding to the alleged discussions, Shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood said the move “would be a deeply sinister overreach by Labour.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he plans to introduce a new national digital ID (Image: Getty)
He told the Daily Mail: “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? This would be a deeply sinister overreach by Labour – and all without any proper national debate.”
He added: “This policy is just another distraction from the Government’s total inability to deal with the crisis in the Channel.”
Attendees present in the Cabinet Office meetings about digital ID were sworn to secrecy, but one person revealed that “jaws dropped” when the idea of expansion to babies was announced.
Another source said: “They’re clearly intending a lifelong mandatory ID scheme.”
A Government spokesman said in response: “The only mandatory area of the programme will be for digital right-to-work checks. Only people starting a new job will need to use the scheme.”
Earlier this year, the prime minister announced that everyone will need to sign up to a digital ID card scheme by 2029. The policy was revealed as part of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s plan to slash immigration.
The document published by the Home Office states: “By the end of this Parliament, a digital ID will be mandatory to prove the right to work in the UK. Alongside transforming public services, this will reduce the ability of illegal workers to use fraudulent documents to gain employment and prevent rogue employers from turning a blind eye to questionable documentation.”
A petition opposing the digital ID plan was launched with almost three million people signing it. It stated: “We demand that the UK Government immediately commits to not introducing digital ID cards.” 2,948,301 people backed it, which led to a debate in parliament on December 8.
