UK drops mandatory digital work ID plan amid policy U-turns

Britain has scrapped a plan to require a mandatory digital ID to prove workers’ right to work, moving to online checks by 2029 and broadening the rationale to include public-services use rather than just immigration; the reversal follows a wave of policy U-turns and drew criticism from Labour and others who argued the case wasn’t well explained, while ministers insist digital checks will remain mandatory and that a two-system rollout (Gov.uk One Login and Gov.uk Wallet) is forthcoming.