MPs to debate on the introduction of digital IDs in the UK
On Monday (8 December), MPs will debate a petition relating to digital ID. Robbie Moore MP, a member of the Petitions Committee, has been asked by the Committee to open the debate. MPs from all parties can take part, and the Government will send a minister to respond.
The petition, which has received more than 2.9 million signatures, states: “We demand that the UK Government immediately commits to not introducing digital ID cards. There are reports that this is being looked at.”
In its response to the petition, provided on 2 October 2025, the Government said: “We will introduce a digital ID within this Parliament to help tackle illegal migration, make accessing government services easier, and enable wider efficiencies. We will consult on details soon.”
Petitions debates are ‘general’ debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.
Petition debates don’t end with a vote to implement the request of a petition. This means MPs will not vote on the request of the petitions at the end of the debate. Instead, the aim is to give MPs an opportunity to discuss the issues raised by a petition and get a response from the Government.
Petition debates are scheduled by the Petitions Committee. Only e-petitions started on the Parliament petitions site are considered by the Petitions Committee.
You can watch the debate here from 16h30 on Monday (8 December).
The story so far
In September, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a new digital ID scheme aimed at helping combat illegal working while making it easier for the vast majority of people to use vital government services.
The Digital ID will be mandatory for Right to Work checks by the end of the Parliament.
The scheme will be available to all UK citizens and legal residents, saving time by ending the need for complicated identity checks which often rely on copies of paper records.
Instead, the roll-out will in time make it simpler to apply for services like driving licences, childcare and welfare, while streamlining access to tax records. The new digital ID will be held on people’s phones.
There will be no requirement for individuals to carry their ID or be asked to produce it – but digital ID will be mandatory as a means of proving your Right to Work.
“This will stop those with no right to be here from being able to find work, curbing their prospect of earning money, one of the key “pull factors” for people who come to the UK illegally,” government said in an accompanying statement on Friday.
“It will send a clear message that if you come here illegally, you will not be able to work, deterring people from making these dangerous journeys.”
Starmer confirmed that the new IDs form part of the government’s crackdown on immigration.
“I know working people are worried about the level of illegal migration into this country. A secure border and controlled migration are reasonable demands, and this government is listening and delivering,” he said.
“Digital ID is an enormous opportunity for the UK. It will make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure. And it will also offer ordinary citizens countless benefits, like being able to prove your identity to access key services swiftly – rather than hunting around for an old utility bill.
“We are doing the hard graft to deliver a fairer Britain for those who want to see change, not division. That is at the heart of our Plan for Change, which is focused on delivering for those who want to see their communities thrive again.”
Starmer said the plan will combat criminal gangs who promise access to the UK labour market in order to profit from dangerous, illegal channel crossings.
A new streamlined digital system to check Right to Work will simplify the process, drive up compliance, crack down on forged documents and create intelligence data on businesses that are conducting checks to help the Home Office take action on employers who are hiring illegally.
