Protesters marching through central London (Zhanna Manukyan/PA) via The Standard
On Saturday, thousands of people protested in central London, marching from Marble Arch to Whitehall against the UK government’s proposed digital ID plan. The scheme, already piloted with veterans, is set to become mandatory for proving the right to work by the end of this Parliament .
While the government says the digital ID will help tackle illegal working, critics argue it could increase surveillance over employees, shift the burden of proof onto workers, and exclude those without smartphones or digital literacy .
The protest featured figures like Andrew Bridgen and Sir David Davis, who voiced concerns about privacy and civil liberties, but the implications for everyday workers are significant. Mandatory digital ID could affect how employees access workplaces, verify eligibility, and interact with employers .
References:
Sky News. (2025, October 17). Thousands of protesters march through London streets against digital ID plans. Sky News. https://news.sky.com/story/thousands-of-protesters-march-through-london-streets-against-digital-id-plans-13452894
The Guardian. (2025, September 26). Digital ID plan for right-to-work checks. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2025/sep/26/keir-starmer-digital-id-cards-immigration-borders-reform-uk-politics-live
The Standard. (2025, October 18). Thousands march through London against digital ID. Evening Standard. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/andrew-bridgen-london-david-davis-marble-arch-whitehall-b1253657.html
