UK Digital ID Cards U-Turn Explained

The UK government has stepped back from its controversial plan to introduce mandatory digital ID cards for anyone wanting to work in the country.

The proposal, announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in September, aimed to tighten controls on illegal working by migrants. However, on Tuesday evening, 10 Downing Street confirmed a clear change in direction.

A government spokesperson said:

“We are committed to mandatory digital right-to-work checks.”

In practical terms, this means digital checks will still be required, but workers will not be forced to use a single government-issued digital ID card. Other forms of identification will be accepted instead.

Why the Government Changed Course

The decision tells us two important things about the current political climate.

1. Public Opposition Grew Quickly

Polling by YouGov showed that opposition to ID cards surged dramatically after the announcement.

• Before the policy was announced: 25% opposed
• After the announcement: 47% opposed

This rapid shift turned a relatively neutral policy into a deeply unpopular one almost overnight.

2. Starmer Wants to Refocus on the Cost of Living

The U-turn also highlights how Keir Starmer sees a path out of political difficulty.

Sources indicate the Prime Minister viewed the ID card debate as a distraction from what he now considers the government’s core priority: reducing the cost of living.

Starmer believes centre-left governments internationally have succeeded when they focused on:

• Household bills
• Wages and living standards
• Economic security

Rather than becoming tied up in cultural or identity-based disputes.

The Political Risk for Labour

The episode underlines a broader challenge for Starmer’s leadership.

An issue that was not especially unpopular became highly contentious simply because the Prime Minister endorsed it. That is not the effect any leader wants when trying to maintain momentum in government.

It also comes at a time when Starmer faces external pressures on the global stage, including political disruption linked to figures such as Donald Trump, which may influence international and domestic political dynamics.

What Happens Next?

• Digital right-to-work checks remain mandatory
• No compulsory single digital ID card
• Multiple forms of ID will be accepted
• Government focus shifts firmly to cost of living issues

This compromise allows ministers to maintain enforcement measures while defusing a politically damaging debate.