Digital identity cards in the UK might soon be a reality
Godwin's Law is probably approaching as the British government discusses whether a 'digital identity number' should be compulsory for British citizens. Every time the subject of identity cards or similar ID questions are raised in the country, opponents suggest we are on the road to a police state. Nazi-like officials will demand our ID papers or else.
The truth is that every British adult already has various IDs, including a National Insurance number. The government website says 'you'll usually get a letter confirming your NI number shortly before your 16th birthday'. It gives as an example the entirely made-up National Insurance number 'QQ123456B', but you get the point.
A valid number allows the government to check whether you pay tax. Foreigners qualify if they live legally in the UK, have the right to work and are working, looking for work or have an offer to start work.
As a citizen, I also have a passport number, a driving licence number (with photo ID), a National Health Service number and countless other numbers that I don't remember yet I need for various agencies. I write them down because no one can remember them all. A 'digital ID' might change that. But historically British people do not have identity cards, and the 'digital ID' possibility reopens all those old arguments about Britain on the road to becoming some kind of police state.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is moving cautiously, but if it happens – and this time I think it might – the 'digital ID' concept will probably be sold to the British public as a way to check on illegal migrants.
A digital ID could also make it easier to book healthcare appointments, obtain welfare payments, local authority housing, tax refunds or other benefits. Right now, the British government bureaucracy is multi-layered, often incoherent and difficult to penetrate.
Critics of digital ID seem to overlook the fact that businesses already have our 'digital IDs', and the British state also has plenty of ways of tracking down citizens through those National Insurance numbers, passports and all those other kinds of information that as citizens we find so difficult to remember.
In the 1990s, then-prime minister Tony Blair's government abandoned the identity cards idea after a great deal of opposition. Nevertheless, this time some government ministers are reported to be very enthusiastic.
Wes Streeting, the minister in charge of the great behemoth that is the National Health Service, appears to be a supporter. This is because a digital ID would potentially unlock a 'health passport' to ensure that every health practitioner – from dentists and doctors to specialists of various kinds – would in theory be able to find the key information about patients very rapidly. Patients may be able to navigate the healthcare bureaucracy more easily, too.
Nevertheless, the Starmer government appears desperate not to call any streamlined digital identification 'identity papers' or any such inflammatory term. There are obvious challenges, too. Some elderly people, or those who cannot afford mobile phones or similar devices, may find accessing any digital ID services difficult.
But the political sales pitch from the UK government's point of view is obvious. A digital ID, the government political spokesmen and women will say, could make the vast government bureaucracy easier to navigate for all of us who legally live and work here.
The Starmer government appears desperate not to call any streamlined digital identification 'identity papers' or any such inflammatory term
At the same time, it will exclude those who arrive illegally or who are refused permission to stay and work. Right now, any initiative that can be sold to the British public about making immigration control much easier would be a boost for the government, since record figures for those arriving on small boats from France are among the Prime Minister's biggest headaches.
Under the system being considered, it is assumed that anyone without a digital number will be almost impossible to employ regularly, excluded from the benefits any British citizen can expect, will be easier to trace, and undesirables will be easier to remove. That's why a digital ID system seems to me to be likely and quite possibly will become inevitable, whatever the critics might say.
There are examples of political changes, once criticised as the 'Big Brother' interfering in our lives, that were introduced after a row – and are now taken for granted. The introduction of compulsory seat belts in cars, for example, or breathalyser tests for drivers who drink too much alcohol and the banning of smoking in areas of Britain were all attacked as 'Nanny State' intrusions of our supposed personal freedoms. These laws are now simply part of our daily lives.
A convenient ID number will, I suspect, be announced in a year or two, provoking a storm of very British outrage from some, but quietly welcomed by most. Then after a year or two, just like the seat belts controversy, we will all wonder why we didn't do it quicker.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
an hour ago
- The National
UK summons Israel's Tzipi Hotovely for rebuke on settlements plan
Israeli Ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely has been summoned by officials who condemned new settlement plans as unacceptable and a breach of international law. Israel's approval of a major settlement in Palestine's occupied West Bank saw more than 20 countries come together behind a joint statement calling for a rethink on Thursday. The E1 settlement east of Jerusalem would effectively cut the West Bank in a way that would make communication internally impossible. In the joint statement, foreign ministers from the UK, EU and 20 other countries called on Israel to reverse the decision, saying it is unacceptable and a breach of international law. 'We condemn this decision and call for its immediate reversal in the strongest terms,' it said. 'Unilateral action by the Israeli government undermines our collective desire for security and prosperity in the Middle East.' The E1 settlement has been under consideration by Israel for at least two decades, but has previously been prevented by pressure from the US. Israel's Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, who has been sanctioned by the UK, said the decision 'buries the idea of a Palestinian state, because there is nothing to recognise and no one to recognise'. The 20-plus countries warned that Israel could see this move backfire. 'Minister Smotrich says this plan will make a two-state solution impossible by dividing any Palestinian state and restricting Palestinian access to Jerusalem,' it said. 'This brings no benefits to the Israeli people. Instead, it risks undermining security and fuels further violence and instability, taking us further away from peace. 'The Government of Israel still has an opportunity to stop the E1 plan going any further. We encourage them to urgently retract this plan. 'The Israeli government must stop settlement construction in line with UNSC Resolution 2334 and remove their restrictions on the finances of the Palestinian Authority.' Signatories included the UK, France, Australia, Canada and Italy. Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden also signed the statement, as did the European Commission's foreign affairs chief.
The National
3 hours ago
- The National
UK targets family fortune of Iranian leader's ally with sanctions
Hossein Shamkhani, the son of a close aide to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was hit with UK sanctions on Thursday. The British government sanctioned Mr Shamkhani, along with holding companies Admiral Shipping Group and Milavous Group, plus hedge fund Ocean Leonid Investments. He is the son of Ali Shamkhani, a former senior security official who was injured in the Israeli bombing campaign on Iran in June. '[Hossein] Shamkhani has facilitated and provided support to hostile activity by the government of Iran, namely activity which is intended to cause the destabilisation of the United Kingdom or any other country including Israel and Ukraine,' an official statement on Thursday said. The move follows recent enforcement actions by the US and the European Union to target the same network, which the Trump administration called the biggest sanctions escalation against Tehran in nearly a decade. The Shamkhani network is believed to have emerged as a major player in the export of Russian and Iranian oil, and established a hedge fund to help manage the proceeds. The UK Financial Conduct Authority had licensed Ocean Leonid activities in the country until November. Imposing its own sanctions this year, the US Treasury said: "The Shamkhani family further exploits their ill-gotten wealth to obtain access to benefits unavailable to everyday Iranians, including owning exclusive properties around the world and obtaining foreign passports in exchange for substantial financial investments."
Arabian Business
9 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Britain's millionaires plot exit as Labour tax plans rattle the rich
Britain risks an exodus of its wealthiest residents as the Labour government weighs a wealth tax, with fresh data showing more than half of UK millionaires would consider leaving the country if such a levy is introduced. A new survey by Canadian investor migration consultancy Arton Capital revealed the scale of unease among Britain's affluent. Of the 1,009 UK residents with at least £1 million ($1.35 million) in net assets surveyed, over 50 per cent said they were more likely to relocate under a wealth tax, while 60 per cent believed they could enjoy a better quality of life overseas. Notably, 47 per cent of Labour-voting millionaires said they too would consider leaving – raising awkward questions for Chancellor Rachel Reeves about whether the very voters who delivered Labour its landslide could now be preparing to take their fortunes abroad. The findings add to a growing body of evidence that Britain's elite are already on the move. According to Henley & Partners' Private Wealth Migration Report 2025, the UK is set to lose 16,500 millionaires this year – the most of any country worldwide – with those departing collectively holding about £66 billion ($89 billion) in liquid investable assets. Demand for second passports surges The Arton Capital Affluence & Elections Survey also points to a surge in demand for second passports. Some 82 per cent of respondents said they would be interested in a golden visa or citizenship-by-investment programme, a figure that underlines how Britain's rich are hedging their bets. When asked where they would move, the United States (35 per cent) topped the list, followed by Canada (33 per cent) and Australia (25 per cent). The United Arab Emirates ranked fourth at 17 per cent, highlighting a pull towards both English-speaking destinations and the Gulf's tax-free, luxury lifestyle. Paradoxically, two-thirds of respondents still view the UK as an attractive place to invest, buoyed by London's enduring status as a global financial hub. The split between where Britain's millionaires want to live and where they want to put their money underscores a trend: wealthy Britons increasingly see the UK as a market, not a home. 'The UK is at a tipping point,' said Armand Arton, CEO of Arton Capital. 'The uncertainty around the government's proposed wealth tax mirrors the ongoing economic uncertainty seen around the world – from Trump's tariffs to conflict in the Middle East. One thing is clear: the longer that unpredictability persists, the greater the risk of losing capital, talent, and long-term investment to countries that offer greater security for individuals, families, and their futures.' The wealth-tax debate At the heart of the turmoil is Labour's consideration of a wealth tax as part of a wider push to raise revenues and plug a public-finance gap. Recent reporting puts the shortfall at roughly £40 billion (~$54 billion), with some estimates higher – the National Institute of Economic and Social Research has suggested up to £51 billion ($68.8 billion) – framing the pressure Reeves faces ahead of the autumn budget. Reeves has already confirmed plans to abolish the non-domiciled tax status from April 6, ending the remittance-basis regime and moving to a residence-based system that includes a limited four-year 'foreign income and gains' regime for new arrivals. The exact design of any wealth tax remains unclear, but models discussed in policy circles include an annual levy on net assets above a threshold, or a one-off charge on multimillionaires. The Institute for Fiscal Studies cautions that an annual wealth tax would be difficult to implement, would require robust valuation of hard-to-price assets, and would need to apply broadly to avoid easy circumvention – arguing instead for tightening how the UK taxes the sources and uses of wealth (capital gains, dividends and inheritances) first. Reeves has also tried to cool speculation by stressing a focus on growth and closing loopholes and the tax gap rather than 'tinkering around with taxes,' she told The Guardian in earlier coverage; Labour likewise briefed that closing gaps and loopholes would fund commitments. Still, for many of Britain's richest families, the uncertainty itself is enough. 'Tax changes like ending non-dom status and stricter inheritance rules have led many wealthy families to explore relocation,' Arton told Arabian Business. 'The UAE has built a robust and welcoming framework that aligns with the needs of ultra-high-net-worth individuals – for many it's at the top of their list.' 'Relocation is often prompted by the desire for a lifestyle upgrade rather than financial prospects alone – so it's no wonder savvy British investors are looking to take advantage of the luxury lifestyle available in the UAE,' he added. The great wealth escape Data from Henley & Partners paint a stark picture. In 2024, 10,800 millionaires left the UK – already a record. This year's projected 16,500 outflow dwarfs that figure, marking the first time in a decade of tracking that a European country has topped the global rankings for millionaire departures. The surge follows the closure of Britain's Tier 1 Investor Visa in February 2022, long a popular route for wealthy foreigners, and coincides with the announced end of non-dom status. Henley also reports that in Q1 2025, applications by UK nationals for alternative residence or citizenship surged 183 per cent year-on-year. The US, Canada and Australia remain the traditional destinations. But the UAE has rapidly emerged as a rival, set to record a net inflow of 9,800 millionaires in 2025 – more than any other country – with the US projected at +7,500. 'While the US, Canada, and Australia have long served as migration hubs for Brits, the UAE is emerging as an attractive destination due to its pro-business environment and the luxurious lifestyle it offers,' Arton said. 'On top of this, the UAE imposes no personal income tax. When you combine these factors with the country's best-in-class infrastructure and thriving expatriate community, moving to the UAE seems like a no-brainer.' The Golden Visa programme is a particular draw, offering long-term renewable residency to investors, entrepreneurs and skilled professionals. Formally, it provides residency rather than an automatic path to citizenship; naturalisation is possible only in exceptional cases under UAE law. Saudi Arabia's Premium Residency scheme is also beginning to attract attention, though Arton said Riyadh remains 'an emerging rival rather than an immediate one.' Arton also noted that family businesses are weighing structural moves. 'Tax changes in the UK… have led many wealthy families to explore relocation, and the UAE's framework – including family-office-friendly residency options – fits those needs.' For Britain, the consequences could be severe. Henley warns that the outflow of wealthy residents could undermine the UK's competitiveness as a global financial centre and sap investment in industries from real estate to private equity.
