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Question
The mandatory digital identity scheme announced by the Prime Minister fundamentally shifts power from citizens to the state, fails to address illegal migration effectively, creates a two-tier society, raises concerns about consent and digital access disparities, and questions the security of the system.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State did not directly respond in this segment but has outlined that the new ID aims to empower individuals, enhance data security, and streamline government services. The implementation includes consultations by the end of this year and legislation soon after.
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Question
The MP asks about the legal basis of the mandatory digital identity system and its potential risks regarding data security, privacy, and exclusion.
Minister reply
We will be working to international best practice standards to ensure high security. People will control who sees and accesses their data, and we expect this system to be designed and built within Government.
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Question
The MP asks if people will control their digital ID data and whether it will be procured externally from the private sector or developed in-house by Government digital services.
Minister reply
People will control who sees and accesses their data, and we expect this system to be designed and built within Government.
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Question
The MP expresses disappointment with the announcement of a mandatory digital ID scheme for every working person in the UK, questioning its impact on public trust and potential exclusion.
Minister reply
We have a digital inclusion action plan and will spend £9.5 million in local areas to help people excluded from online services get online.
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Question
The MP asks if the Secretary of State agrees that we need to learn from countries like Estonia on matters of digital ID.
Minister reply
Yes, I do. My hon. Friend is right that the citizens of this country rightly want to know who has a right to be here and who has a right to work here.
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Question
The MP expresses opposition to the policy, concerned about infringements on liberty and potential government tracking of location, consumer spending habits, or social media activity.
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Question
The MP questions the costings associated with creating and running the system and asks for a ballpark figure of capital and revenue costs.
Minister reply
I am setting out the Government’s ambitions, but we will publish a full consultation on that.
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Question
Given that digital ID will not stop illegal immigration and will further erode our civil liberties, will the Secretary of State confirm that the Prime Minister announced it only as a deterrent to those seeking to topple him at the Labour party conference? If not, what is the actual purpose of this policy?
Minister reply
That is nonsense.
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Question
Can we be clear on the use cases that we intend to pursue and over which timescales, so that we have the information we need to make a decision on whether we want to go down this path?
Minister reply
These are not hypotheticals; we are looking at how other countries have used these systems to deliver more effective Government and other services to their citizens. We have proposed having mandatory right-to-work checks by the end of the Parliament, but there will be many important voluntary ways in which people can better access services and support.
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Question
What guarantees she can give my constituents that the scheme can be afforded, that their data will be safe, and that the scheme will be never used to track their use of services?
Minister reply
I have already said that the scheme will not be used for that. In many other countries these systems have made accessing Government and public services much easier, quicker and more efficient.
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Question
Is it not also a real big waste of money, and should the Government not instead focus on the No. 1 priority of people across the country, which is tackling the cost of living crisis?
Minister reply
I think that providing better value for taxpayer money by getting services to work more quickly, effectively and efficiently and by cracking down on fraud and reducing error and waste is a really important part of delivering for the British people.
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Question
Could the Secretary of State please assure us that it will be built along the lines of sovereign AI and that we will not hand over control of a system like this, with information about people’s lives, to companies such as Palantir?
Minister reply
We absolutely will not do that. Further details about costings will come out in due course.
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Question
How much—even as a ballpark figure—will it cost to bring in this system? Secondly, if it is to be mandatory, which would be completely wrong, what would be the penalty for a citizen who refuses on principle to have digital ID?
Minister reply
I do not know why the right hon. Gentleman thinks that people should not be required to prove that they have the right to work in this country. It seems a very reasonable thing to do.
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Question
Will the Secretary of State also look at how they have completely reformed and recreated modern, comprehensive IT systems where individuals have easy access? In Estonia, as I understand it, an individual has the right to know which parts of Government have looked in their IT systems at them.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We will be learning lessons from those countries. People will be able to see who accesses their data, so this proposal will give them more power and control.
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Question
Will the right hon. Lady recognise what I recognised when I was the Home Office Minister responsible for national cyber-security: when one concentrates data and makes it interconnected and interoperable, one also concentrates risk?
Minister reply
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question. He has a lot of experience in this area. We want not only to learn from other countries but to work closely with the National Cyber Security Centre to make sure that we have the highest possible standards of security.
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Question
Could the Secretary of State point to the evidence, which I am very interested to see, of how a digital ID will prevent rogue employment?
Minister reply
I think that when the British people—so many of whom now have online banking on their phones and store so much in their digital wallets—look at their friends, neighbours and colleagues across the channel and see that many across Europe have digital ID as a matter of course and that it makes their lives simpler and easier, their common sense will say, “We want a bit of that.”
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Question
The SNP will oppose this proposal because it is unwanted and an attack on privacy. When we reject it, will the Secretary of State impose it anyway?
Minister reply
This is not a Britcard, and contrary to what is claimed, Scotland's previous plans included digital identity services.
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Question
No constituents have ever asked for mandatory digital ID. This will not tackle irregular working or civil liberties issues. Why are we pursuing this?
Minister reply
Many people find it difficult to interact with the public sector, and this proposal aims to improve how services fit around individuals' lives rather than forcing them into a system.
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Question
Concerned about digitally excluded individuals. Can you give clear examples of help for these people?
Minister reply
The £9.5 million digital inclusion fund will support local organisations with grants to ensure that digitally excluded groups can access services online.
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Question
How does the mandatory nature of this ID compare with previous voluntary proposals, particularly in relation to migrants?
Minister reply
The digital ID will be mandatory only for right-to-work checks. As people see its benefits, they may opt-in for other services voluntarily.
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Question
How much will this cost? The statement was contradictory regarding the optional nature of the ID.
Minister reply
Costs depend on design, build and delivery. We will set out further details.
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Question
How does this contribute towards modernising public services? Will data control be part of the consultation?
Minister reply
This could give people more power and control over their data, as well as drive uptake of services like childcare and pension credit.
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Question
The public opposes this policy. Will the Secretary of State drop it?
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Question
Will people be required to produce digital IDs for authorities like the police?
Minister reply
People will not be required by the police to produce this digital ID.
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Question
What independent oversight will monitor data breaches, errors and misuse?
Minister reply
There will not be surveillance. We are not proposing that it will be mandatory for accessing all different types of services.
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Question
Has the Secretary of State considered keeping digital ID voluntary initially?
Minister reply
We have considered this. The Prime Minister has stated it should be mandatory for right-to-work checks to prove a person’s right to work.
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Question
How will sanctions work? Will individuals go to prison if they do not have digital ID?
Minister reply
There will be no penalties or sanctions on the individual. Employers can face civil penalties or criminal offences for failing to check employment status.
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Question
Will digital ID be required only for right-to-work checks? How will it impact vulnerable residents?
Minister reply
Digital ID is required for right-to-work checks but not mandatory for all services. Measures are in place to protect data privacy and security.
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Question
Will the Secretary of State confirm that this policy will be UK-wide and not breach the Belfast agreement?
Minister reply
This will indeed be a UK-wide proposal, respecting the Good Friday agreement and the common travel area.
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Question
With trust in politicians at an all-time low, what assurances can my right hon. Friend give that this will be done with constituents rather than to them?
Minister reply
I am committed to working closely with constituents and addressing their concerns to build trust.
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Question
Will the Government listen to my constituents who do not want a mandatory digital ID system, which would mark an erosion of civil liberties?
Minister reply
I understand these concerns and we will consider all feedback during the consultation process.
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Question
How does the inclusion strategy address challenges faced by care-experienced young people and care leavers?
Minister reply
We will work closely with groups that support care leavers to ensure their needs are met through public service integration.
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Question
Why does the Minister think a petition of 3 million people opposes her plans, and will she focus on issues that matter to people like illegal immigration?
Minister reply
The Government is committed to improving data security and public service efficiency. We are also taking steps to secure our borders, such as boosting border security with an extra £100 million.
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Question
Given the scale of poverty in Wales, is a digital ID system really a priority?
Minister reply
Tackling child poverty is indeed a priority and we will produce a strategy to address it.
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Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that individual freedoms are an unacceptable price for failures in law enforcement?
Minister reply
The costs depend on design, and we believe this system will enhance data control and security rather than erode freedom.
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Question
Will the Secretary of State document every use case for the digital ID scheme?
Minister reply
Details will be set out in the consultation. Many countries have successfully implemented similar systems with security measures.
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Question
What sum is being set aside for development of digital ID?
Minister reply
The system will be designed and built in-house to ensure efficiency and control.
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Question
Will the Government listen to public concern and scrap this proposal due to surveillance risks?
Minister reply
There is misinformation about this system; it does not create a police state or misuse data. It aims for greater efficiency and data control.
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Question
Will the Secretary of State reconsider her proposal given widespread opposition, especially in Northern Ireland?
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Question
I would like clarity on the legal basis for this new digital ID system. Can you provide reassurance that it complies with both UK and Northern Ireland laws?
Minister reply
The proposed system is being designed to comply fully with all relevant national and international legislation, including data protection and privacy laws.
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Question
How will this digital ID affect local businesses in Northern Ireland? Will there be any financial support for companies adapting to these new systems?
Minister reply
We are committed to supporting local businesses during the transition. Additional funding of £10 million has been allocated specifically for helping small and medium enterprises adapt their systems.