Starmer Pushes Ahead With Digital ID Despite 2.8 Million Warning of ‘Mass Surveillance’

The Government has responded to calls for Digital ID cards to be scrapped after 2.8 million people signed a petition opposing the plans.

The petition, which warned that a national ID system would be “a step towards mass surveillance and digital control,” has gained over two million signatures.

In response, ministers confirmed the scheme will go ahead, saying: “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.”

In September, the Government announced plans to introduce a mandatory digital ID system by 2029. It said the IDs would be required to prove the legal Right to Work.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer argued that they would “make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure.”

The Together Declaration, which campaigned against lockdowns, said the scheme is based on the Government’s troubled One Login system. It claimed the system allowed staff unrestricted access without checks, outsourced work overseas to cyber-crime hotspot Romania, and silenced whistleblowers who raised alarms.

The project has also lost a potential bidder: US software giant Palantir, co-founded by billionaire Peter Thiel, declined to participate, citing concerns about public support and possible misuse.