The UK government has decided not to move forward with a plan that would require every worker to use a digital ID to prove their right to work. This plan was meant to make hiring faster and safer. However, it also raised serious concerns about privacy, system errors, and access to jobs.
This decision affects millions of people across the UK. It also affects every business that hires staff.
Are you aware of how this change could affect your job or your business? In this article, we explain what the digital ID plan was, why it was dropped, and what this means for the future of work in the UK. We also share key figures that show why this issue matters.
What the digital ID plan was meant to do
The digital ID plan was meant to create one online record for every worker. This record would prove a person is allowed to work in the UK.
Instead of checking a passport or visa, an employer would log into a system and confirm the person online. The government believed this would make hiring faster and stop illegal work.
According to the Home Office, more than 1.3 million right to work checks are done every month in the UK.
A digital system was meant to make this easier.
The goals of the plan were:
- To reduce fake papers
- To make hiring quicker
- To lower fraud
- To support law firms and firms
- To protect the job market
However, these goals came with risks.
Why the plan was cancelled
The plan was dropped because many people and groups raised concerns.
A report from the UK data group found that over 60 percent of people worry about how the state uses their personal data. Many feared a digital ID would give too much power over their lives.
At the same time, system errors were a big fear. In 2023 alone, the Home Office online visa check tool had over 50 thousand reported faults. Even small errors can block someone from working.
Groups that support migrant workers also warned that people could be locked out of jobs if the system made a mistake. The cost was another issue. A study showed that running a full digital ID system could cost over 500 million pounds in its first five years.
As a result, the government decided the risk was too high.
What this means for workers
For workers, this decision is important. Are you worried that a system error could stop you from working?
Now, you will still use papers such as a passport or visa to prove your right to work. This gives you more control and more safety. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that over 9 million people in the UK were born outside the country. Many rely on visas and work permits. A digital system error could have put millions at risk.
This change means:
- You keep your papers
- You are not locked out by a system
- You can prove your status in more than one way
- Your data is safer
What this means for businesses
For businesses, nothing changes in how you must check staff.
Are you sure your hiring steps meet the law? You must still check that every worker has the right to work.
In 2024, over 7 thousand UK firms were fined for hiring people without the right to work. The total fines were over 90 million pounds.
To stay safe, firms must:
- Check papers before work starts
- Keep copies of records
- Use the Home Office online tool
- Follow set rules
Failing to do this can lead to fines of up to 60000 pounds per worker.
How right to work checks work now
The UK uses a mix of paper and online checks.
These include:
- Passport checks
- Visa checks
- Biometric cards
- Online Home Office records
In 2024, more than 15 million online right to work checks were made. This shows how large the system already is.
However, firms must still follow each step with care.
Why this matters for the UK job market
The UK job market is large and fast moving. There are over 32 million people in work in the UK. More than 4 million of them work in retail, health, and food services where fast hiring is key. If a digital system fails, it could slow hiring and hurt small firms.
By keeping the current system, the UK avoids this risk for now.
Could digital checks return later
The idea of digital checks is not gone forever. The government may return with a new plan that gives more safety and choice.
Any future plan must:
- Protect data
- Have backup options
- Be clear for firms
- Be fair for workers
Until then, the current system stays in place.
What workers should do now
Workers should keep their records safe.
This includes:
- Passports
- Visas
- Work permits
- Proof of status
This will help you get hired faster and avoid problems.
Final thought
The UK decision to drop the digital ID plan protects both workers and firms from new risks. It also shows that trust and fairness matter as much as speed.
