It was set up in June due to members of the public believing the potential introduction of ‘Brit cards’ would be a “step towards mass surveillance and digital control”.
Posted on the UK government website, the petition’s description explains: “We demand that the UK Government immediately commits to not introducing a digital ID cards. There are reports that this is being looked at.
“We think this would be a step towards mass surveillance and digital control, and that no one should be forced to register with a state-controlled ID system. We oppose the creation of any national ID system.
Our immigration system needs to be fair.
That’s why we are introducing digital ID — if you don’t have it, you can’t work here. pic.twitter.com/T8fsKGVROU
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 26, 2025
“ID cards were scrapped in 2010, in our view for good reason.”
Parliament considers all petitions that get more than 100,000 signatures for a debate.
Digital ID cards explained – what is it and how would it work?
It comes as the government hopes the anticipated IDs will deter people from coming to the UK illegally by curbing their ability to earn money.
But the move has sparked some criticism from opposition parties, with accusations it is a “gimmick” that will not stop small boats, as well as concerns over privacy.
The Prime Minister said the immigration system needed to be “fair” otherwise it would undermine “people’s faith that we’re on their side and their belief that the state can and will work for them”.
“That is why today I am announcing this government will make a new, free of charge, digital ID mandatory for the right to work by the end of this Parliament.
“Let me spell it out, you will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID.
“It’s as simple as that because decent, pragmatic, fair-minded people, they want us to tackle the issues that they see around them,” he said during a speech at the Global Progress Action Summit in London.
The plans envisage ID cards being stored on devices in the same way as contactless payment cards or the NHS App.
People will not be required to carry the ID, which will be held on smartphones, or asked to produce it.
I know you’re worried about the level of illegal migration into this country.
Digital ID is another measure to make it tougher to work illegally here, making our borders more secure.
Ours is a fairer Britain, built on change, not division.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 26, 2025
Cabinet minister Lisa Nandy said the digital document will only be needed as proof of the right to work.
“Although all UK citizens will have a digital ID, it will not be mandatory for people to use it. It will be entirely their choice,” she told Sky News.
The digital ID would be the authoritative proof of identity and residency status in the UK and include name, date of birth, and a photo as well as information on nationality and residency status.
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How the scheme will work for those who do not use smartphones will be addressed as part of the consultation process.
Those who do not want to carry a digital ID card or do not operate digitally could be given a physical card instead, the government has said.
Mandatory ID cards have previously only existed during wartime.
