Government drops plans for mandatory digital ID to work in UK | BBC News

The government has dropped plans requiring workers to sign up to its digital ID scheme in order to prove their right to work in the UK.

By 2029, right to work checks will be done digitally – for example by using biometric passports – but registering with the new digital ID programme will be optional.

When the government first announced the policy plan, it argued that mandatory digital ID for workers would make it easier to clamp down on immigrants working illegally.

The change of policy is the latest in a series of U-turns the government has made since it came to power – including climbdowns on welfare reforms, reducing winter fuel payments and inheritance tax for farmers.

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