New data from polling group Ipsos shows that more people now oppose than support a national identity card scheme, with opposition roughly doubling from July 2005.
The data shows that four in ten (40%) Brits now oppose the introduction of a national identity card scheme, with 32% in support. Levels of opposition have roughly doubled from July 2025, when 19% opposed the idea and 57% were in support. Notably, opposition to National ID Cards has risen across all demographics, but most sharply among Reform UK voters.
There is some support for the scheme, with those in favour typically highlighting the practical benefits of an ID card. Positive responses in favour of the card include being good for general security reasons (53%), having one card to act as ID, passport, and driving license (52%), and making it easier to prove one’s identity (50%).
A lack of trust in the government
Concerns about the digital ID primarily centre on need, privacy and lack of trust: Among those who oppose an ID scheme, three in five (60%) don’t think they are necessary as they already have identification. 52% say they do not trust the government, with 48% believing it would be the start of a police state/big brother.
Notably, over two in five (43%) are now concerned that the introduction of ID cards could negatively impact their civil liberties – up slightly from 39% last summer.
Over half of Britons lack confidence in the government to hold personal information securely (56%, up from 51% last year). Furthermore, the public continues to lack confidence in the government to introduce national identity cards smoothly –72% say they are not confident, increasing 11ppts from 61% since last summer.
Rising scepticism
One of the strongest messages being seen in the data is that opposition against the scheme has notably increased within just the last year.
46% of Britons say they would oppose a digital national identity scheme, up from 32% in July 2025. Following a government U-turn on its original plans for mandatory digital ID, Ipsos polling finds that the public would be slightly less opposed to a digital ID card if it was optional (40% opposed) rather than mandatory (48% opposed).
However, neither proposition is warmly received, with only around 3 in 10 supporting each option.
“Our latest findings confirm how much the public mood has become more sceptical towards a national identity card scheme, since it was first rumoured last summer,” said Gideon Skinner, Senior Director of UK politics at Ipsos.
“Before the policy was officially announced, in principle most were in favour, reflecting a long-standing pattern in British public opinion – but even then there were latent concerns over the impact on privacy, a lack of confidence in government, and whether ID cards were needed in the first place, and the narrative since then has focused much more on these negatives rather than any potential benefits.”
While security and convenience remain attractive features, there’s an undeniable increase in public scepticism rooted in these privacy concerns and a lack of trust in government to run the scheme, Skinner said.
“This growing apprehension is seen across all demographics and emphasises the need for Labour to transparently address these worries and regain the initiative in the narrative if they want to encourage take-up of their proposed scheme.”
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